What works in this example:
- Specific skills - Potential employers may be looking to fill a slot with a massage therapist who is trained in specific techniques. “Provided Swedish, deep tissue, and prenatal massage to 250+ clients” shows companies the hands-on experience this candidate has.
- Client satisfaction - Massage therapy is a role that relies on customer satisfaction. "Maintained a 98% client satisfaction score with a 40% client retention rate" tells potential employers what they can expect from this candidate.
- Quantifies success - "Implemented a new scheduling system, resulting in a 25% growth in clientele" demonstrates measurable success this candidate has achieved and showcases client management skills.
How to quantify impact on your resume
Demonstrating measurable success for a practical job like massage therapy can be difficult.
It’s important to quantify achievements on your massage therapist resume so potential employers see how you will impact success at their organization.
Sharing specific accomplishments without violating client confidentiality can be a particular challenge.
Consider the following areas when determining how to incorporate real numbers and data on your massage therapist resume:
- Include the number of clients handled per day: This shows your ability to manage workload and efficiency in a busy environment.
- Mention the diverse range of techniques you are skilled in: Offering a variety of techniques demonstrates your adaptability and extensive knowledge.
- List how many years of experience you have in massage therapy: This shows your exposure to the job and your consistency in the profession.
- Indicate the number of licenses and certifications gained: This emphasizes your commitment to professional development and mastery of various techniques.
- State your client retention rate: A high retention rate indicates good interpersonal skills and high quality of service.
- Note an increase in clients under your service, if applicable: A growing client base could demonstrate successful marketing efforts or client satisfaction.
- Indicate the number of back-to-back sessions you can handle: This shows physical endurance, organizational skill, and time management.
- Specify the volume of repeat customers: A high number of repeat customers can indicate a high satisfaction level and trust among your clients.
How do I write a massage therapist resume with no experience
As the saying goes, everyone has to start somewhere. If you’re just breaking into massage therapy or are making a career change, you face the challenge of writing a massage therapist resume with no experience.
The best way to approach this task is to write a functional resume that focuses on transferable skills rather than experience.
Highlighting transferable skills shows potential employers how you’ve developed the skills necessary for the role outside of work experience.
Follow these steps to writing an effective massage therapist resume with no experience:
- Choose a functional resume layout
- Focus on transferable skills
- Present credentials and licenses clearly
- List professional affiliations and certificates in specializations
- Tailor every section to fit your target job
Don’t pad your experience section with irrelevant jobs just to fill space. Only include roles that are relevant to your target position and focus on transferable skills.
Jobs in similar bodywork roles or health and wellness are a great way to show transferable skills. Even jobs in customer service can be an opportunity to highlight client satisfaction skills.
How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume
A challenge for massage therapists is striking the right balance between technique training and the skills required to interact with clients. You need to be competent in massage techniques to provide professional care as well as customer service to address client needs.
Skills on your massage therapist resume will appear in two major categories.
Hard skills are the technical knowledge and abilities needed to perform job duties, whereas soft skills are the interpersonal and communication skills needed to interact with others.
Hard skills like software and techniques tend to be straightforward and don’t require an explanation. They can be presented in list form.
Here is an example of hard skills on a massage therapist's resume.