Massage Therapist CV Guide

What to include in a Massage Therapist CV

Knowing what to include in your CV to give you the best possible chances of getting to the interview stage can often seem daunting. Do not worry; it is simple once you understand the company’s requirements and the main sections found in most CVs.

First, consider your CV as an introduction to who you are professionally. You inform prospective employers about what you have done to make you stand out as a massage therapist and how your credentials and attributes can contribute positively to their company. It is crucial to remember that it is a brief overview and not your entire history – like a film trailer and not the whole movie.

The next thing to consider is tailoring your CV, which will help you decide what to include. You will have seen a massage therapist role you want to apply for, read through the job description and believe you are suitable. The content within your CV should include the most relevant bits of your professional history aligned with the specific job.

Now you know about the level of detail within a CV and the importance of tailoring, you will need to start writing. The best way to start is by breaking down your CV into manageable sections with main headings, such as contact information, professional summary, education, work experience, key skills, achievements and references. Let us look at this in further detail, along with some suggestions and examples of what to include.

Contact information

The first section of your CV is where you add your contact information, and it is a good place to start, as it is probably the easiest. Here, you will provide accurate and up-to-date details to enable potential employers to contact you.

• Include the following information:
  • Full name – clearly state your first name and surname at the top.
  • Professional title (optional) – you can add your previous or current job title, e.g. “Senior Massage Therapist”.
  • Location (optional) – add your town, city or county if relevant to the job.
  • Phone number – ensure it is correct and professional – no casual voicemail greetings.
  • Email address – use a simple, professional email (e.g. [email protected]). Avoid adding one with nicknames or overly casual handles.
  • LinkedIn profile or own website (optional) – only include links if updated and relevant.
• Avoid including:
  • Your home address – it is irrelevant and can be a privacy risk.
  • A photo – unless the job posting asks for one.
  • Personal information – avoid including unnecessary details like your age, date of birth, marital status, gender, national insurance number or nationality; these are generally irrelevant in CVs and could lead to bias.
  • Social media links – unless directly related to your professional work (e.g. a wellness-focused Instagram page you use for business).

Professional summary

Underneath the contact information of a CV is a brief 3-5 line paragraph highlighting your key qualifications, skills, experience, achievements and career goals, which is known as a professional summary. You may come across other names for this section, including personal statement, executive summary, professional statement or career profile. It is where you provide a snapshot of why you are an ideal candidate for the massage therapist role.

While all sections of your CV are crucial, the professional summary is one of the most important, as it is typically one of the first things potential employers will read. It sets the tone for your CV and can either capture their interest and encourage them to continue reading or the opposite. It also helps them quickly understand your value and relevance to the position.

So, what should you include in your professional summary to stand out from other candidates? Here are some suggestions:

• Previous or current job title – mention your professional title if relevant.
• Experience – include your years of experience, the types of clients you have worked with and any notable environments you have worked in, such as wellness centres, hospitals or high-profile spas.
• Credentials – specify your qualifications, certifications or training relevant to the role. For example, “Qualified massage therapist holding a Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy”. You could also add any registrations with a recognised body, e.g. the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council.
• Specialisms – highlight specific massage techniques you excel in, e.g. Swedish, sports, prenatal or therapeutic massage.
• Soft skills – emphasise essential interpersonal qualities that set you apart, e.g. customer service, communication and your ability to tailor treatments to client needs.
• Career goals or passion – convey your dedication to the role and industry and to promoting clients’ physical and mental well-being.

Remember to tailor your professional summary to each massage therapist position. Here is an example:

“Certified massage therapist with a Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy and over 5 years of experience specialising in deep tissue and sports massage. Known for delivering tailored treatments to alleviate pain, reduce stress and promote client wellness in professional spa and clinical settings. Passionate about building lasting client relationships and contributing to holistic health approaches at [Enter company name]”.

Education

The next section of your CV after your professional summary can be your education or your work experience. You may want to add the latter first if you already have experience as a massage therapist. If you have limited direct experience, you may want to add your education first.

A well-written education section shows you have the qualifications and training to meet the role’s responsibilities and are a credible candidate. It can also make you stand out from other candidates, especially if you have unique academic achievements or relevant training.

The education section of a CV is where you list your academic qualifications and achievements. It is your chance to showcase your educational background and any relevant training and certifications that align with the massage therapist position you are applying for. Here are some examples of what to include:

• Professional certifications – add any relevant to massage therapy, such as ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy, VTCT qualifications or equivalent credentials.
• Training courses – include specialised courses, such as sports massage, deep tissue, aromatherapy, or reflexology.
• Relevant school education – if you are starting, you can include your secondary school education, e.g. GCSE’s, especially if you took any related courses.
• Institution name – mention the school, college, university or training provider where you obtained your certifications.
• Dates of study – list the start and completion dates.
• Additional training – highlight any training in anatomy, physiology, first aid, CPR or health & safety that enhances your profile.
• CPD (Continuing Professional Development) – if you have taken additional workshops or refresher courses, include those too.
• Licences – if you require a licence, add the details to your CV.

You could also mention any awards, distinctions or relevant modules if they add weight.

Work experience/employment history

The work experience section, before or after your education, is where you showcase your professional background and highlight the jobs you have held, the responsibilities you have undertaken, and the accomplishments you have achieved. It is often the most critical part of the CV for employers, giving them insight into your skills, expertise, and how you have applied them in real-world scenarios.

When considering what work experience to include, tailor the roles and responsibilities to the massage therapist job and add your previous positions in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Here are some pointers on what you can include in this section:

• Job titles – clearly state your previous roles, e.g. Massage therapist.
• Company names – list the businesses where you worked. If you have worked for yourself, add self-employed.
• Location: Add where you worked, i.e. town, city or county.
• Dates of employment – indicate the duration of each role, e.g. May 2020–March 2023.
• Responsibilities – summarise your primary duties and tasks in each position, such as providing various massage techniques, maintaining client records and ensuring high hygiene standards. Add your responsibilities in bullet point form and begin with a strong action verb, like “applied”, “consulted”, “performed”, “enhanced”, “achieved”, etc.
• Achievements – highlight accomplishments, such as increasing client satisfaction or exceeding targets. If you helped introduce new treatments, trained junior therapists or led promotional events, list these as well.
• Relevant skills – mention specific skills or massage techniques pertinent to the job you are applying for.

It is all about tailoring this section to make you stand out while aligning with the job requirements. 

Here is an example of how you can add your work experience:

Work Experience

Massage Therapist. Relax & Renew Spa. Birmingham. January 2021 – Present.

• Provided a range of massage treatments, including Swedish, deep tissue, and aromatherapy, tailored to individual client needs.
• Consulted with clients to understand their needs and develop personalised treatment plans.
• Maintained high standards of hygiene and professionalism to ensure client comfort and satisfaction.
• Achieved a 95% client retention rate through exceptional service and personalised care.
• Assisted in promoting spa packages and events, increasing client bookings by 20%.

Key skills and achievements

Another vital section in your CV is your key skills and achievements. Skills refer to your abilities and expertise and demonstrate to prospective employers how well you match the role requirements and your competence. There are two main types of skills – hard and soft.

• Hard skills – are technical, job-specific abilities learned through education, training or practice. Some examples include
  • Knowledge of massage techniques – proficiency in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone therapy, sports massage, etc.
  • Anatomy and physiology – understanding the structure and functions of the human body.
  • Assessment skills – identifying areas of muscle tension or injury and tailoring massage techniques accordingly.
  • Use of equipment – familiarity with massage tables, oils and specialised tools (e.g. cupping sets or rollers).
  • Safety protocols – knowledge of hygiene, sanitisation and client safety standards.
• Soft skills – are interpersonal and behavioural traits that help you interact effectively with clients and colleagues. They are trickier to measure but equally vital. Some examples include:
  • Communication – listening to client’s needs, explaining treatments and providing aftercare advice.
  • Customer service – focussing on client satisfaction and professionalism in interactions.
  • Empathy and compassion – understanding the client’s physical and emotional states to create a supportive environment.
  • Professionalism – maintaining boundaries, confidentiality and a positive attitude.
  • Time management – efficiently managing appointments and avoiding delays.
  • Adaptability – adjusting techniques or approaches based on different clients or unexpected situations.

Focusing on skills that align with the massage therapist job and weaving in hard and soft skills is crucial, as it shows you have taken the time to understand the role and that you are a strong candidate. Also, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs. Therefore, listing key skills with relevant keywords can help your CV rank higher in the system.

You can add your skills to the work experience section or include them separately with your achievements. We will look at how to focus on your achievements later.

Other information

Most CVs have a similar structure, with the sections we have covered and a reference section. However, you can add additional headings and information to your CV if you think it will increase your chances of standing out and getting an interview. Here are some examples of others to consider:

• Certifications – you could keep your certifications separate from your education section, especially if you have many relevant ones, such as those for specific massage techniques, use of specialised tools, first aid or safety protocols.
• Continuing education – you could highlight courses, seminars, conferences or workshops you have attended to stay updated on industry practices, like aromatherapy, advanced anatomy or cupping therapy.
• Languages – you may want to mention any additional languages you speak, especially if you work with a diverse clientele.
• Volunteer experience – you could add any unpaid work, like offering massages at community events or for charitable organisations.
• Client testimonials/feedback – if appropriate, include brief client quotes or a summary of positive feedback.
• Professional memberships – mention if you are involved in organisations like the General Council for Massage Therapies, the Federation of Holistic Therapists, the National Association of Massage and Manipulative Therapists or other industry associations.
• Hobbies and interests – if you have relevant hobbies and interests that complement your professional skills, consider adding them, e.g. wellness, fitness, reading or researching the field, practising on friends and family, producing blogs or vlogs, etc.

Adding extra sections can add depth to your CV and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and client care. Be mindful not to add too many sections to avoid your CV looking cluttered, and ensure the information is relevant and tailored to the massage therapist position.

References

The reference section is typically the last in your CV. It is where you add details of individuals (referees) who can vouch for your skills, experience and character. They are usually former employers, colleagues, teachers or mentors familiar with your work and can provide insight into your suitability for the role you are applying for.

Strong, relevant references are vital, as they help demonstrate trustworthiness, professionalism, and the quality of care you provide clients. They also give your application credibility and reassure potential employers about your reliability and expertise.

So, how do you complete the reference section of a CV? First, review the job description to see if they ask for reference details. If they do not, you can add a simple statement, “References available upon request” under the heading. It can be helpful if you are struggling for space.

If the job posting asks for references, here are some suggestions on the information to include:

• Name of referee.
• Job title.
• The name of the place they work.
• Relationship to you, e.g. “Former Manager”.
• A current phone number and professional email address.

Always ask your referees for their consent before listing them. It is courteous and ensures they are prepared to be contacted. You can also give them details of the job you are applying for so they can tailor their reference accordingly.