How to Write an Ice Hockey Referee Resume (With Example)

Updated June 10, 2023

Working as a referee is a great role for anyone who enjoys sports and wants to know more about one. An ice hockey referee works to ensure the players and coaches follow the rules during a game of ice hockey. Learning how to create a resume when applying for an ice hockey referee role can help you market your skills to recruiters and hiring managers.

In this article, we discuss what an ice hockey referee is, provide you with the steps to create an ice hockey referee resume, explore some tips to enhance it, and give you a resume template and example.

What is an ice hockey referee resume?

An ice hockey referee resume shows recruiters and hiring managers the skills and extensive ice hockey rules knowledge of an applicant. A hockey referee presides over games and enforces the rules during competitive or recreational events. They might work for a professional hockey organization, community sports organization, or school. These professionals fairly officiate games and respectfully interact with hockey players. Referees also inspect players' equipment to ensure everyone meets the hockey organization's specifications.

Like any resume, creating a resume that can pass a hiring manager's or recruiter's screening process is essential. Doing so can help provide the basic information to influence the hiring manager's decision, and provide your contact information. Writing a resume correctly can establish you as a professional with excellent skills and high standards.

How to write an ice hockey referee resume

You can use the following steps to help you create a resume when applying for an ice hockey referee role:

1. Add your contact information

At the top of your resume, you can add the following contact details:

Your name: This can be the most prominent text on your resume, at the top of the document.
Your address: It's not necessary to include your house number or street name. Listing your city and province is fine.
Your e-mail address: It's important to use a professional e-mail, but not a current work e-mail address.

2. Write a professional summary or objective statement

A professional summary or objective statement is a brief overview of your experience and skills. It's a vital section to have on a resume, especially if you're changing careers, because it helps explain how your previous experience can translate into a new role. In this section, you can include your job title, years of experience, and your accomplishments if there's enough room. Be sure to include keywords that are in the job description and clearly state your career intentions. Keep this section brief and easy to read.

3. List your experience

The work experience section is the most important section of a resume. You can present this information using reverse chronological order. This means that you start with your most recent work experience and then work backwards. Below each entry, you can use bullet points to show your impressive achievements. You can use the job description to see if each bullet point is helpful and appropriate. You can also use numbers to help contextualize your accomplishments to anyone reading your resume. Ensure that each experience you include on your resume applies to the role.

4. Write your education information

Typically, the education section on your resume is after your work experience, but you can put it above if you have little experience. An effective education section includes any relevant coursework if you believe it is appropriate for the job description. The other details you can include on your resume are:

school name
graduation date
degree name
academic awards
extra certifications

5. Show your skills

The skills section on your resume shows a hiring manager or recruiter your hard and soft skills that are relevant to the role. Hard skills are what you can learn from workshops, specific training, school, or work experience. They also include relevant skills that you require to work in your role. Soft skills are a part of your personality, and you develop them by working with people and completing daily tasks. You can include a mix of your hard and soft skills to show a hiring manager that you already possess a balance of skills to perform in the role.

Some ice hockey referee skills you might include on your resume include:

safety rules skills
CPR
knowledge of ice hockey rules
communication skills
critical thinking
active listening
decision-making

Resume tips for ice hockey referees

The following tips can help enhance your resume when applying for an ice hockey referee position:

Use persuasive bullet points

When using bullet points on your resume, you can create an excellent impression by demonstrating your skills, experience, and achievements. For example, under your work history section, instead of saying managed youth ice hockey games, you can say managed youth ice hockey games, resulting in a 97% on-time rate with no disciplinary issues throughout the season. The second example creates a clear idea of your work and provides quantifiable results.

Find and include relevant keywords

When submitting a resume online, it's likely that an applicant tracking system (ATS) might scan it for specific keywords. These programs search a resume for specific terms that relate to a job description to determine whether it matches the necessary experience and skills. If your resume doesn't have enough keywords, the ATS might filter it out. To ensure your resume can get past the ATS, you can include the keywords you find in an ice hockey referee job description.

Show your technical skills

As an ice hockey referee, it's essential to be proficient in using some critical technical equipment. For example, you can be using a stopwatch or other timekeeping device to help keep track of the game time. It's also vital to be able to use a computer to look up any game rules that the organization implements or updates. You might also use a computer to keep track of your schedule and the games where you were working.

Be concise

There's no set rule to determine the length of your resume, but it's vital to make it concise. A one-page resume is ideal for anyone with less than ten years of experience. In contrast, a two-page resume is popular among those with more experience. When making your resume more concise, focus on removing information that isn't relevant to the job description.

Show your commitment

It's essential to write a resume that shows recruiters and hiring managers that you're more suitable for the role than the rest of their candidates. Adding any continuing education programs and courses you attend can highlight your resume. The programs can include clinics and camps you are a part of, either as a participant or as a presenter. You can also add anything that shows you're giving back to the field, such as participating in a mentorship program or a leadership position within a local ice hockey association.

Resume template for an ice hockey referee

You can use the following template to help you create a resume for an ice hockey referee position:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [E-mail address] | [City], [Province or territory]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications, and achievements as a professional.]

Experience
[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City], [Province or territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome, or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] |[City], [Province or territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome, or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and major]

[Name of school or university]

[City], [Province or territory]

Optional
[Certification name], [Host organization] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Example resume for an ice hockey resume

The following example resume can help you create your resume when searching for a new position:

Michael Addison
123-456-7890 | maddison@email.com | Vancouver, BC

Professional summary
Experienced ice hockey referee with over nine years of officiating experience in local hockey organizations. Passionate about helping promote fair play in the sport, searching for an opportunity to use my knowledge and skills to help an ice hockey organization grow.

Work experience
Referee | 2013–Current
Vancouver Youth Hockey League, Vancouver, BC

maintain game standards to ensure players observe the rules
signal players or other officials to notify them of infractions or to regulate competition
inspect equipment or players to ensure compliance with league and safety standards
resolve claims of rule infractions
directed players to assigned areas

Education
High school diploma, Patrick Garcia High School
Vancouver, BC