When you’re looking to hire a sport and fitness professional, you want energy and motivation. A sport and fitness cover letter needs to exude that momentum combined with friendliness and knowledge of physical fitness and sport.
A great cover letter can add heart to your application and make all the difference. Here you get to inspire, intrigue and convince — all in about 300 words.
In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding sport and fitness cover letter example, we’ll cover the following topics to help you write the best cover letter possible:
- How to choose the best cover letter format and what paragraphs the cover letter should include
- How to maximize the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- What approach to take when writing your cover letter
- What mistakes to avoid when writing your sport and fitness cover letter.
Let’s dive into the guide below to analyze the details (you can also check out our library of 125+ cover letter examples).
Many people became more sedentary during the pandemic and they are now looking for ways to reverse that trend. In fact, the number of gyms in the U.S. was up 4.5%, according to Wellness Creative Co. and about two-thirds of Americans participate in some kind of fitness activity, CompareCamp said. That means sport and fitness professionals are in demand and have numerous career opportunities!
Best format for a sport and fitness cover letter
Just as a personal trainer or coach follows a plan to achieve their goals when designing a workout, the format of your cover letter gives a structure to the document. The key elements of a sport and fitness cover letter should be as follows:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
This comprehensive cover letter guide offers more general advice about how to go about compiling cover letters, along with plenty of specific formatting advice.
This sport and fitness cover letter example will give you an idea of how to proceed with your own letter:
Dear Mr. Mitchell,
I am hoping to be considered for the Assistant Sports Director position currently seeking candidates at the Greeley School. I have been following the sports programs at Greeley for many years, and I am truly impressed with the continued achievements of the various teams. It is no secret, that in addition to the talent of athletes, a strong sports program depends heavily on the coaching, guidance, and conditioning that athletes have access to. I would be thrilled to become a part of the Greeley administration as an Assistant Sports Director, and I can assure you that my skill set would be greatly advantageous to the sports division. My professional background combined with my degree in Sports Management has allowed me to grow as an athlete, leader, and director.
In my last position as the Assistant Director of the Sports Department at Great Neck High School, I was an integral part of a support system that helped to lead the Varsity Baseball team to 4 consecutive championships. A combination of passion, knowledge, and continued growth, is what helped the team to become so successful.
I would be honored to serve Greeley and it's athletes, and help them to achieve the same kind of exciting success.
Sincerely,
Kevin Connolly
Searching for more inspiration? Take a peek at our other related sport & fitness guides and cover letter samples listed here below:
Cover letter header
The header of your sport and fitness cover letter gives your document a bit of artistic flare, but more importantly, it makes it easy for recruiters to contact you.
Your goal is to get that interview. That means placing your name, email and phone information in a prominent place at the top of your letter. That way, if they are inspired to schedule your meeting right then and there, nothing will stand in their way. Check out our adaptable cover letter sample for ideas on creating a great header.
Take the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) into account
The ATS software used to scan and rank your resume in the human resources system may also be used on your cover letter. Make sure you identify your contact information by using the words “email” or “cell / mobile / phone” That extra step may make the difference in a successful data transfer.
The aim of the cover letter header: Get the attention of the recruiter with an artful touch that makes your application — and your all-important contact information — stand out.
Cover letter greeting
Gyms and athletic facilities may be more casual than the typical workplace, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful with your greeting. A cover letter is your first introduction to the person you want to hire you, so take care when you address them.
You can’t go wrong with “Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr.” if you are sure of the correct honorific. The best way to do this is to simply call the organization and ask. And while you are at it, make sure you get the correct spelling and repeat it back to be sure. Without the name of the hiring manager, you may use “Dear (Company Name) Fitness Team,” “Dear (Company Name) Athletic Team,” or even “Dear (Company Name) Fitness Family” for organizations with casual branding.
Below you’ll find the greeting from our adaptable cover letter sample.
The aim of letter greeting / salutation: Begin your cover letter in a personal, yet businesslike, manner.
Dear Mr. Mitchell,
Cover letter introduction
When a trainer begins a workout, the participants immediately feel their energy and attitude which set the tone for the entire session. The same is true of your cover letter introduction.
You want to get a jump off the blocks so you impress from the start. A strong start for a cover letter means establishing your game plan and answering the questions: Why should I hire you? and What will you bring to the team?
The introduction is where you establish the message that you will carry throughout your cover letter. It should give off positive energy and express the confidence you have that allows you to train or coach others to help them achieve their own sports and fitness goals.
Check out the cover letter sample text below for an idea of how to get started.
The aim of the cover letter intro: Open with strength and firmly establish your message. Exhibit the energy and enthusiasm you use at work.
I am hoping to be considered for the Assistant Sports Director position currently seeking candidates at the Greeley School. I have been following the sports programs at Greeley for many years, and I am truly impressed with the continued achievements of the various teams. It is no secret, that in addition to the talent of athletes, a strong sports program depends heavily on the coaching, guidance, and conditioning that athletes have access to. I would be thrilled to become a part of the Greeley administration as an Assistant Sports Director, and I can assure you that my skill set would be greatly advantageous to the sports division. My professional background combined with my degree in Sports Management has allowed me to grow as an athlete, leader, and director.
Cover letter middle part (body)
Now that you’ve gotten off to an enticing start, you can spend some time getting into the details of your career that make you a prime candidate. The middle part, or body, of the cover letter is the highlight reel that shows off your achievements, including positive commentary in the form of action words and strong descriptions.
Use examples of your proudest moments, but choose wins that illustrate what your value will be in the position you want. Differentiate yourself from other candidates with anecdotes that show that you can handle situations outside the daily routine of sport and fitness. Then, use two or three bullet points to show off quantifiable data or list championships or other achievements.
Part of your job is understanding physiology, nutrition and anatomy. Include examples that point out this knowledge as well as showing off the people skills that make you a great motivator.
The aim of the body of your cover letter: Choose your career highlights wisely and make your case for why you are a great fit for the job.
Here is the body of our sport and fitness cover letter sample.
In my last position as the Assistant Director of the Sports Department at Great Neck High School, I was an integral part of a support system that helped to lead the Varsity Baseball team to 4 consecutive championships. A combination of passion, knowledge, and continued growth, is what helped the team to become so successful.
How to close a sport and fitness cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
“It ain’t over till it’s over,” baseball great Yogi Berra (among others) said. That’s where the conclusion comes in. You started strong, you stayed focused on your message and now you have to close it well.
A strong cover letter conclusion offers a tidbit that a hiring manager will want to follow up on in an interview. This could be something a bit more personal, such as why you chose your sport or why it’s important to you to help people reach their fitness goals.
Finally, wrap up with a reminder to the reader about why they should schedule an interview with you and politely request that they do so. Our cover letter example text includes one suggestion for a “call to action,” or a request for an interview.
The aim of the close of your cover letter: Leave the reader wanting more and wondering when they can schedule your interview.
I would be honored to serve Greeley and it's athletes, and help them to achieve the same kind of exciting success.
Sincerely,
Kevin Connolly
Sport and fitness cover letter with no experience
You have to start somewhere and employers know that. Luckily, you have more to say than you may realize. Just as you can take advantage of experience you have had outside a work environment or in a different career when you compile your resume, you can do that here.
Use these ideas to develop your sport and fitness cover letter even if you have no experience:
- Describe your fitness routine or athletic participation and why they are important to you
- Use volunteer coaching or training activities
- Focus on your health and wellness education
- Illustrate the transferrable skills you have (such as communication, motivation, teaching) and link them to the job you want
Basic mistakes in a sport and fitness application letter (and how to avoid them)
- Trying to sound too formal. Of course, you don’t want to sound like you are in the locker room, but do use your own voice. Otherwise, you will sound unnatural. You want your interviewer to get your sense of style and be able to match it to your interview style.
- Get carried away with a long story. You have about 300 words, so if an anecdote requires too much explanation, save it for the interview.
- Use poor grammar or forget to check spelling. A simple typo may be overlooked, but why take the chance? Your goal is to come off as professionally as possible, so ask a friend or colleague to proofread.
The look and feel of your cover letter says a lot about your professionalism and interest in the position. If you work independently, the page layout is also a great place to convey your personal brand. While creating a great format may take some extra time, it’s well worth the effort to impress the hiring manager. A cover letter template can help you get a head start.
Key takeaways for a sport and fitness cover letter
- Jump out in front with an introduction that lays out your game plan.
- Show off your energy and motivational abilities, but don’t neglect your knowledge of health and fitness.
- Strong action words and descriptions make your letter more vivid.
- Check out our cover letter sample for more ideas on creating a great page layout.
