Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are software that scan resumes for keywords and structure. They rank or filter candidates before a human reads your resume.

For an Ice Skating Coach, ATS looks for terms like jump training, edge work, spin technique, choreography, lesson planning, ice safety, competition coaching, and certifications such as PSA or US Figure Skating. If you omit these words or use odd formatting, the system may skip your resume.

Follow these best practices:

• Use standard section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Certifications", "Skills".
• Include role-specific keywords naturally from job postings.
• Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, and graphs.
• Use readable fonts like Arial or Calibri and simple bullet lists.
• Save as .docx or PDF, but keep design minimal.

A good keyword strategy mixes hard skills and certifications. Add terms like off-ice training, program design, test judging, competition prep, video analysis, First Aid, and CPR.

Common mistakes cost you visibility. Don’t replace exact phrases with creative synonyms like "skate instruction guru." Don’t bury dates or job titles in headers or images. Don’t rely on infographics or complex layouts that ATS can’t parse.

Keep each job entry clear. Put title, employer, city, dates, and three to five bullet points focused on measurable coaching outcomes. That helps both ATS and the hiring manager find your fit fast.

Pick a clean, professional template that puts your coaching history front and center. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent rink and coaching roles appear first. This helps coaches and hiring managers scan your experience fast and helps applicant tracking systems parse dates and titles.

Keep length tight. One page usually fits entry-level and mid-career ice skating coaches. Use two pages only if you have many years of directly relevant coaching, choreography, or rink-management experience.

Choose simple, ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10–12pt for body and 14–16pt for section headers. Keep line spacing at 1.0–1.15 and add clear margins so the page breathes.

Use clear section headings: Contact, Summary, Coaching Experience, Certifications, Education, Skills, and Relevant Programs. List certifications like PSA or ISI under Certifications with issue dates. Use bullet points for responsibilities and one-line achievements with numbers when possible.

Avoid fancy layouts with heavy graphics or multi-column tricks. Those can jumble parsing and hide key info. Stick to simple bolding, italics, and consistent spacing for visual hierarchy.

Watch these common mistakes: crowded text with no margins, tiny fonts to force everything on one page, and odd section names that confuse ATS. Also avoid non-standard fonts, colored backgrounds, and embedded images of certificates. Those elements often prevent your resume from being read correctly.

Why a tailored cover letter matters

You want the hiring manager to picture you coaching on their ice. A tailored cover letter does that work. It complements your resume and shows real interest in the Ice Skating Coach role.

Key sections and what to write

• Header: Put your contact details, the rink or club name, and the date. Add the hiring manager's name if you know it.
• Opening paragraph: Name the Ice Skating Coach role you want. Say why you want to work at that club. Lead with your strongest fit, like years coaching or a top certification.
• Body paragraphs (1-3): Connect your experience to the job. Describe a lesson plan, a coaching method, or a training result. Mention concrete skills like edge work instruction, choreography, jump progression, or sport psychology basics. Show soft skills like communication and patience. Use numbers where you can, for example, skaters advanced one test level in six months. Mirror keywords from the job post.
• Closing paragraph: Restate your interest in the Ice Skating Coach role at that club. State confidence you can help skaters improve. Ask to meet or talk. Thank the reader for their time.

Tone and tailoring

Write like you speak to a friendly coach. Keep sentences short and direct. Use a confident and warm voice. Tailor each letter to the rink, age group, or program. Avoid generic templates and show you read the job post.

Practical tips

Highlight one or two coaching achievements. Keep the letter to one page. Proofread for clear verbs and active voice. Use keywords from the listing so your letter matches what the club seeks.

Hiring managers at rinks and clubs scan resumes fast. You need to show coaching impact clearly and quickly.

Small errors can make them pass. Pay attention to wording, formatting, and facts so your skills land.

If you're applying as an Ice Skating Coach, this set of FAQs and tips will help you present coaching skills, results, and certifications clearly. Use these points to shape your resume so employers see your teaching impact and athlete progress quickly.