How to Become a Lifeguard: 5 Steps
Want to land a summer job lifeguarding but don’t know where to start? Maybe you worry you don’t have time to train for it. Whatever the case, you’re not alone.
Today’s high school and college students juggle hectic schedules that involve hours of homework, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and more. If this sounds like your life, rest assured that some things — like becoming a lifeguard — are simpler and less time-consuming than they seem.
What’s involved in the lifeguard application process? What kind of training do you need? Below, we break down the process of how to land a summer lifeguard job with American Pool in five easy steps.
1. Fill out an application.
The process for most lifeguarding jobs starts with filling out an application. At American Pool, our online system makes it easy. All you have to do is sign up and enter the basic information, such as your previous experience and whether you have any training under your belt. You don’t need to have these things, but if you do, this is where you can tell us. Or, you can check our list of American Pool offices for a location near you, and visit us in person to fill out an application.
2. Take part in an interview.
Once you’ve filled out an application, we’ll set up a short interview to learn about your skills and interests so we can get to know you better. We’ll also talk about your availability and find out important details, such as when you can start and when you need to stop working, as well as what your summer schedule looks like. Once that’s done, we start the hiring process. If you opt to fill out the application in one of our locations (versus online), we can complete these two steps together.
3. Get trained.
Before you can become a lifeguard, you have to complete some basic training that will give you the knowledge and skills you need to keep your pool and its patrons safe. The good news is that training doesn’t take very long and can be accelerated to take place over a couple of weekends or even over a few days when you’re out of school. Once you’re certified, you’re good for two years.
Training requirements vary from state to state, so if you’re not sure what you need to do to get trained, check out your state’s requirements on our website. For example, some states require a prerequisite class before you begin the core part of the training, while others simply require basic training.
4. We help match you with a local pool.
After you’re trained, we help you connect with a pool (or pools) in your community. We keep a list of available jobs handy so that you can see any openings in your area. There are a variety of jobs available based on your experience and how much you want to work, so whether you’re a first-time guard in need of keeping your schedule flexible or you’re looking to take on more responsibility, the chances of finding a good fit are strong.
5. Start lifeguarding.
With these four steps completed, you’re ready to start scheduling lifeguarding shifts with local pools online (we’ll teach you how in training). Then all you have to do is head to the pool for your first shift, where you’ll build valuable skills for your resume, while soaking up sun, making friends, and helping out your bank account with a steady paycheck.
At American Pool, we stay with you every step of the way to make sure you’re getting the most out of your training and work experience — and to help you work around your other commitments. So there’s really nothing to worry about.
Ready to get started? You can begin the process online through American Pool’s Guard for Life website, which will take you through the process step-by-step, much like we’ve done here.
If you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you at the pool this summer!