Crafting a CV that stands out can be a daunting challenge for a life coach due to the subjective nature of their achievements and experiences. Our guide offers tailored advice to succinctly showcase your unique coaching philosophy and successfully highlight the transformations you've facilitated for clients.
In this Enhancv life coach CV guide, you'll find out more about how to:
- Answer job requirements with your life coach CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your life coach CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
How to ensure your profile stands out with your life coach CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your life coach CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your life coach CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your life coach CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a life coach CV
- Professional Summary highlights your coaching philosophy and success.
- Core Competencies section showcases your unique skills and strengths.
- Coaching Certifications reflect your dedication to professional development.
- Relevant Experience demonstrates your practical expertise in life coaching.
- Client Testimonials offer real-world proof of your impact and effectiveness.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your qualifications in psychology, counselling or related fields to showcase your theoretical foundation as a life coach, backing up your practical skills with formal education.
- Detail your experience with various coaching methods, such as NLP, CBT or mindfulness, to demonstrate your adaptability and range of techniques to potential clients.
- Include testimonials or case studies from previous clients to provide tangible evidence of your coaching effectiveness and the positive impact you have had on their lives.
- Showcase any niche coaching expertise you have, such as career progression, executive coaching, or personal development, to attract clients seeking specialised guidance.
- Emphasise any continual professional development activities, such as workshops or seminars attended, to communicate your commitment to staying current in the field.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your life coach CV header
Right at the very top of your life coach CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for life coach:
- "Personal Development Guru | ICF Accredited | Resilience & Growth Mindset | 10+ Years Professional Coaching Experience"
- "Transformational Life Coach | NLP Master Practitioner | Career Transition Specialist | 5 Years Empowering Individuals"
- "Executive Performance Coach | Leadership Development Expert | MBA | Corporate Wellbeing Consultant | 15 Years in Coaching"
- "Wellness & Mindfulness Coach | Certified Health Coach | Stress Management | Holistic Approach | 8-Year Track Record"
- "Youth Empowerment Coach | Professional Mentorship | Confidence Building Strategies | Graduate in Psychology | 3 Years Dedicated Service"
- "Relationship Coach | Couples' Conflict Resolution | Emotional Intelligence Expert | Accredited by ICF | 7 Years of Practice"
What's the difference between a life coach CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your life coach CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a life coach job:
- With over 10 years of experience in life coaching, I have empowered numerous clients to achieve their personal and professional goals. My expertise in cognitive behavioural techniques combined with a Master’s degree in Psychology, has allowed me to successfully guide clients through significant life transitions, culminating in a 90% client satisfaction rating.
- As an HR professional with over 15 years in corporate talent development, my transition into life coaching is fuelled by a profound understanding of workplace dynamics and personal growth strategies. I bring a wealth of experience in organisational behaviour and employee wellness programs, where I have facilitated workshops that resulted in an average 20% increase in employee engagement scores.
- Dedicated to fostering positive change, my coaching approach is informed by a 12-year tenure as a senior marketing manager. This background has equipped me with a deep appreciation for the power of branding – a skill I apply to personal development, aiding clients in curating their own life narratives to align with their aspirations.
- Embarking on a career as a life coach, I bring a fresh perspective shaped by a successful decade in educational leadership. My passion for mentoring students to reach their full potential translates seamlessly into coaching, where I aim to inspire clients to carve out fulfilling life paths and achieve self-actualisation.
- As a dynamic professional stepping into life coaching, I am eager to leverage my interpersonal skills and passion for human-centric service to help individuals navigate life’s complexities. While possessing no formal coaching experience, I am committed to attaining certification and becoming a catalyst for transformative life journeys.
- Seeking to launch my career in life coaching, I am driven by a genuine desire to support people in unlocking their potential and achieving personal excellence. My academic background in psychology and volunteer mentoring experience position me uniquely to develop innovative coaching strategies for diverse client needs.
Narrating the details of your life coach CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your life coach CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Developed personalised coaching plans for over 100 clients, improving their life satisfaction scores by an average of 35% over a six-month period.
- Facilitated weekly one-on-one and group coaching sessions focused on career advancement and personal development, with a 95% client retention rate.
- Utilised a variety of coaching techniques including NLP, mindfulness, and positive psychology to help clients overcome personal and professional challenges.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to support clients with mental health challenges, ensuring a holistic approach to wellbeing.
- Incorporated feedback from client surveys to continually improve the coaching experience, resulting in a 20% increase in client-reported outcomes.
- Spearheaded a successful online coaching programme that expanded services internationally and increased overall business revenue by 30%.
- Engaged in ongoing professional development, attending over 50 hours of CPD workshops annually to stay abreast of the latest coaching strategies.
- Designed and delivered bespoke workshops on time management and goal setting for corporate clients, enhancing their employee productivity by an average of 25%.
- Contributed to a monthly column in a well-known wellness magazine, further establishing credibility and expertise in the life coaching industry.
Work Experience
Senior Life Coach
Thrive Coaching & Consulting
01/2016-12/2019
- Facilitated over 200 group coaching sessions aimed at helping clients develop personal growth plans, improving retention rates by 35%.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive life skills program that helped increase client self-efficacy by 50%.
- Conducted one-on-one coaching with over 150 clients with a focus on career advancement, financial planning, and personal well-being.
Work Experience
Life Coaching Specialist
LifeQuest Alliance
05/2011-08/2015
- Pioneered a digital coaching initiative incorporating video conferencing tools, extending service reach by 200%.
- Established a mentorship program for new coaches, improving team performance and job satisfaction metrics significantly.
- Instrumental in developing a tailored stress management protocol that helped reduce client stress levels by an average of 40%.
Work Experience
Lead Life Coach
OptimaLife Solutions
03/2020-Ongoing
- Launched a unique holistic wellness program combining nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness, attracting over 300 new clients in the first year.
- Led a team of life coaches in providing strategic interventions for high-profile executives, resulting in a 90% success rate in achieving client goals.
- Developed and executed an organizational well-being strategy for a Fortune 500 company, leading to a 25% reduction in employee burnout.
Work Experience
Life Coach Consultant
Aspire Empowerment Group
07/2014-02/2018
- Collaborated with HR departments to integrate life coaching into employee development programs, which improved employee engagement by 30%.
- Created a peer coaching system that fostered a supportive community and improved client success rates by 20%.
- Customized a goal-setting framework for over 1000 clients that facilitated measurable progress in personal and professional objectives.
Work Experience
Executive Life Coach
Edge Growth Coaching
09/2013-11/2017
- Delivered keynote speeches at international coaching seminars, positioning the brand as a thought leader in the life coaching industry.
- Curated a successful online life coaching subscription service, providing scalable growth and a 150% increase in annual revenue.
- Implemented client accountability systems that saw a 60% improvement in sustained behavior change post-coaching.
Work Experience
Professional Life Coach
Pathway Coaches
02/2017-05/2021
- Authored a self-help book based on coaching methodologies, selling over 10,000 copies within the first month.
- Hosted a weekly podcast discussing key life coaching strategies, amassing over 50,000 subscribers.
- Devised and facilitated a year-long leadership development program for mid-level managers at a national corporation.
Work Experience
Certified Life Coach
Vitality Coaching Inc
05/2019-12/2023
- Increased client base by 40% through targeted social media marketing campaigns and speaking engagements.
- Implemented a sophisticated client tracking system to monitor progress and results, improving long-term client adherence by 65%.
- Developed a collaborative partnership with a wellness app to integrate coaching services, enhancing user engagement by 80%.
Work Experience
Associate Life Coach
New Horizons Life Coaching
04/2009-06/2013
- Designed a successful career transition program for clients in mid-life, aiding over 100 individuals in securing new employment or starting businesses.
- Organized and led intensive weekend retreats focussing on life transformation, with an average of 90% satisfaction rate from participants.
- Initiated a community outreach program to provide accessible life coaching to underprivileged individuals, increasing community engagement by 70%.
Work Experience
Life Coach Trainer
Empowerment Central Coaching
08/2012-07/2016
- Spearheaded the launch of a bilingual coaching program, catering to a diverse clientele and boosting business growth by 25% in non-English speaking markets.
- Developed a comprehensive life coaching curriculum for online courses, which was successfully accredited and expanded the company's educational offerings.
- Facilitated over 50 workshops annually on time management and productivity, consistently rated at 95% for effectiveness in follow-up surveys.
Work Experience
Life Coach and Development Strategist
Global Insight Coaching
01/2015-04/2019
- Developed a unique niche coaching service that addressed the challenges of expatriates, resulting in a 45% uptake from the target demographic.
- Conducted research and published articles on the impact of life coaching on personal development, cited by peers in journals.
- Initiated a collaboration with academic institutions to provide life coaching for students, improving their academic performance and personal planning.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your life coach CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your life coach CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your life coach CV:
HARD SKILLS
Goal Setting and Planning
Life Coaching Certification
Behavioural Change Techniques
Psychology Knowledge
Emotional Intelligence Assessment
Mindfulness Strategies
Health and Wellness Coaching
Financial Planning Basics
Career Development Strategies
Conflict Resolution
SOFT SKILLS
Empathy
Active Listening
Communication
Leadership
Adaptability
Motivation
Patience
Critical Thinking
Decision Making
Problem Solving
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your life coach CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your life coach CV:
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
Write your professional life coach CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
