Does Your CV Really Matter in Sport?

Whether you’re applying for internships, graduate schemes, or that elusive first job in sport, chances are you’ve asked yourself: Does my CV really matter that much?

Your CV is still one of the most common ways to open a door in the industry. That’s why we’ve created a dedicated section on our website full of CV templates and examples tailored for sports roles – check it out here.

How Important Is It?

The short answer: yes, very important.

Most jobs (we’d safely estimate around 90 percent) will require a CV and cover letter as part of the application process. That means your CV is often the first impression a recruiter or hiring manager gets of you. It should be clean, clear, and relevant.

However, here’s the nuance. While a poor CV might stop you from getting the job, a great CV on its own probably won’t be the reason you land it. For entry-level roles, hiring decisions are often influenced just as much by who you’ve spoken to, any relevant work experience, and how you’ve demonstrated interest in the role or club.

Tips for Standing Out

More and more people are experimenting with creative CV designs, matching the colours or visual identity of the club or brand they’re applying to. That sort of creativity can help you stand out, but it’s not essential. What’s more important is clarity and relevance.

Focus on:

Tailoring the structure – Put the most relevant experience at the top, even if it’s not paid work.
Leading with learning – University projects, voluntary roles, or insight days are often just as valuable as formal experience early in your career.
Being purposeful – Make sure you don’t include information for the sake of it. Everything should relate to the role you’re applying for.

Making it Sport Specific

This is probably the hardest part but also the most important.

A CV for a job in sport isn’t just about showing what you’ve done. It’s about proving you understand how sport works. Here’s how to show that:

Show you know the industry – Use relevant vocabulary. Know the difference between a club’s commercial team and their marketing team. Understand the basics of fan engagement, sponsorship activation, or player care. It shows you’ve done your homework.
Make transferable experience clear – Any experience can be relevant if you frame it well. Retail builds people skills and calm under pressure, which are useful for matchdays. Volunteering shows experience in events and teamwork. Be creative in making the connection clear.
Align with the culture of sport – Sport is fast-paced, collaborative, and often values people who are proactive and resilient. Use examples in your CV that show these traits. Highlight times you’ve worked under pressure, contributed to a team, or gone the extra mile.
Use metrics – Even in entry-level roles, numbers are powerful. Growing a student society’s social media following, organising events attended by over 100 people, or raising funds through a sports tournament all help to show impact.