Working as a massage therapist can be a highly rewarding job - you will be providing people with much-needed physical therapy to help relieve the stresses of their everyday life. If you want to bag yourself a job as a masseuse, then you are going to need to write a professional and high-quality resume. We have put together the following guide to help you do exactly this.
Massage therapist with an exemplary skillset in a variety of healing methods. Licensed industry professional for over 15 years. Keen believer in massage therapy modalities as nourishment for the mind, body, and soul. Expertise in Swedish, deep tissue massage, and prenatal techniques.
We are going to be covering all of the essentials for massage therapist resume writing, including how to write, format and structure a professional resume to make yourself stand out to hiring managers. Read on to find out about all the secrets to resume writing!
Massage therapist positions can earn you anything between $30,000 upwards to $110,000 annually (US Labor Statistics).
This may seem too good to be true, but private jobs can seriously earn you six figures! Due to this, it's a seriously competitive field, so you are going to want to follow this guide to ensure that your resume stands out among the crowd.
There are a variety of massage therapy jobs out there that exist within different frameworks and require different levels of experience and qualifications, and this will affect the annual salary you could receive. Let's take a look at the following average salaries that massage therapists earn every year!
Masseur/Masseuse - $30,000
Licensed Massage Therapist - $35,000
Private Licensed Massage Therapist - $40,000
Some private massage jobs pay a lot higher than the averages listed. It all depends on whether you are fully licensed and whether you work for a massage chain or run your own practice. To provide some perspective, let's look at a few examples of annual salaries that real massage therapists earn in the U.S!
Apprentice Massage Therapist at LaVida Massage: $32,000
Licensed Massage Therapist at The Woodhouse Day Spa: $42,000
Self-Employed Massage Therapist: $103,000
Examples of a Massage Therapist Resume
These massage therapist resume examples should be great for getting started, but if you feel like you need any further assistance, then feel free to check out our website for more massage therapist resume examples!
How to make a Massage Therapist Resume
Securing a job as a masseuse can be pretty competitive stuff, so you will need to ensure that your resume is strong, concise, and to the point. Here are a few key requirements that you should ensure that a hiring manager should be informed of:
Your resume must contain all essential information regarding your personal and contact details, key skill sets and work experience
The document should be personalized for the specific massage job that you are applying for and should never be generalized!
Your resume should be accompanied by an excellent cover letter to explain to your potential employer why you are passionate about massage therapy and what you will bring to the table.
Expert Tip Skip any form of waffle - your resume will likely be automatically checked by ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), and these will flag up resumes containing irrelevant information. Keep it relevant to the job and you will do just fine!
The layout of the Massage Therapist Resume
Whilst it's tempting to layout your resume freestyle, you should consider sticking to the professional layout described in this guide.
We would recommend that you use the reverse chronological layout - this is a great way to ensure that your most recent and relevant information and experience is seen first. Then, you can go on to describe earlier experiences and qualifications towards the end. This will ensure that the hiring manager focuses on your greatest achievements and not your first!
The structure of the Massage Therapist Resume
Always remember to write your resume in the structure laid out within this guide. Whilst you should always personalize your resume to be specific to you, these documents generally should follow a professional structure to ensure all essential information is covered. The document should be word-processed and should only be one page in length, and most importantly each section of information should be separated with an appropriate heading.
Make sure you pay close attention to the structures outlined within this guide - we’ve included them because they’re standard for professional resumes! This massage therapist resume template should give you a good idea of a structure to follow, but if you need some additional templates then check out our website to find additional examples!
Start with the Header of the Massage Therapist Resume
You should always start your massage therapist resume with a strong and concise header. This will be the first section that a hiring manager will read, so keep it short, snappy and catchy!
Ultimately, your header should include your contact information, links to your professional social media (such as LinkedIn) or website, in addition to basic personal information such as your location.
Example of a good header for a Massage Therapist
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Huey C. Russell
Private Massage Therapist
987-654-321
huey.c.russel@gmail.com
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
www.hueyrusselmassage.com
Example of a bad header for Massage Therapist
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Huey Colin Russel
A privately licensed masseuse who will travel anywhere to give good massages!
987-654-321 or (555) 123-4567
hueycrussell@hotmail.com
Unit No. 3633, Ruckman Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Zip Code: 73116
facebook.com/HueyRussell
instagram.com/HueyDoesMassages
It should be pretty obvious as to why these header examples are good and bad, but if you get stuck and need some further pointers then check out our website and try out our resume builder. It should get you on the right track with its massage therapy resume template!
Is a photo required in the Massage Therapist Resume?
The average resume should not include a photograph, as 80% of US companies claim that they would not consider hiring an applicant who did this! Whilst it may be tempting due to the face-to-face nature of massage therapy, we would still discourage this. Simply include a professional profile or website on your resume header, and then your employer can navigate to the webpage to see your professional photograph if they want to.
Choosing your Massage Therapist Title
Ensuring that your massage therapy resume title is to a high standard is a great way to make your resume seem professional. It's one of the first things readers will see, and it is your personal opportunity to explain what you do, how you do it and why you will excel at the job role! Don't get carried away though - keep it short, relevant and professional.
Professional summary statement for Massage Therapist
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Massage Therapist with recent training in massage room preparation and body treatments. Newly licensed and seeking a position to gain professional experience. Skilled in attracting and retaining new clients through innovative marketing and networking abilities.
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Namaste! My name is Huey, and I’m on this planet to provide the best massages in Oklahoma! I’m privately licensed so if you’re interested in Swedish, Chinese or any other type of massages, please consider hiring me for your establishment!
This is a great opportunity to outline our expertise, so don’t undersell yourself! Briefly outline your massage therapy skills and experience, but don’t get carried away - it’s called a resume summary statement for a reason!
Work Experience in the Massage Therapist Resume
Most massage therapy positions will require experience through previous jobs, whether this is self-employed experience or licensed work with previous employers. You will want to tell your potential employer all about this as it will demonstrate that you will be competent at the job. If you don’t have any work experience yet, don’t panic - this can be a great opportunity to describe your apprentice or entry-level experiences!
Always remember to use the reverse chronological format by listing your most recent position first.
If you don’t yet have experience in previous roles as a massage therapist, then simply explain this and list applicable work experience. For example, you could mention how you worked in hospitality, as a sports therapist, or a receptionist at the local spa!
Describe your professional experiences on your Massage Therapist Resume
When listing your professional work experience, you will need to follow a specific format and make use of bullet points. First, you should obviously include the employer that you worked for and the position that you held. Once you've done this, you should list the start and end dates for your employment history, followed by three to five bullet points outlining the responsibilities of the job.
Massage Therapist Resume Sample of Professional Services Section
Apprentice Massage Therapist
Jenny’s Master Massages
Hours worked: 16 hours per week, 2018- 2019
Provided therapeutic spots massages to 4 clients per week
Scheduled all spa appointments for individuals and groups
Responsible for collecting used linens and depositing them in the proper receptacles
Monitored work area for safety hazards and reported infractions to management
Upon guests' arrival, explained the safety measures in place at the facility
Examples of work experience for Senior Massage Therapist
Lead Massage Therapist
MassageCare
Employment Start/End Date: 05/15/12 - 05/30/17
Provided therapeutic massages to 30 clients per week, including pregnancy, sports, deep tissue, and Swedish massages
Achieved 95% satisfaction in client needs by discussing their needs for massage treatments and expectations of results
Brought in an additional 100 annual clients by creating informative marketing ads and pamphlets
Responsible for accurately counting inventory and stocking all areas for treatment and sales
Responsible for following procedures for opening and closing the facility
Education in the Massage Therapist Resume
Whilst massage therapist positions will obviously require knowledge regarding physical therapy and physical science, it may not be strictly necessary for you to have an excellent educational track record. It will obviously help to list this if you do, but your potential employer will be much more interested in your massage therapy qualifications and experience. However, a degree in massage therapy or physical science will certainly help you get your resume to the top of the pile!
Should you start with education or work experience for a Massage Therapist Resume?
Due to the hands-on nature of massage therapy, it is generally a better idea to begin by writing about your work experience, and then move on to your educational history. However, if you are specializing in a particular type of massage therapy, then it may be worth beginning with your educational qualifications that certify you for such a practice. If you have less experience or are newly qualified, then also it would be best to have your education before work experience.
How to properly list your education in a Massage Therapist Resume?
For each educational listing, you should ensure that you follow a specific format. This should consist of the name of the educational institute, the subject/major studied, the years studied, and finally the grade/GPA that you received. It goes without saying that if you didn’t achieve a very good grade, you should probably leave this out!
Massage Therapist Resume Sample of Education Section
Houston School of Massage
Texas
Massage Therapy
Years Attended Degree: 2011-2012
Grade: Pass with Distinction
Always ensure that you follow the educational format that we have provided within this guide to make your listings look legitimate. If you have any trouble at all, don’t forget that we’re here to help - just take a look at our additional examples on our website to get further assistance!
Skills to put in the Massage Therapy Resume
The skills section of your resume is perhaps even more important than your work and educational history! This is where you can list all of the skills that you have developed over the years as a massage therapist. It's a particularly important section as it is an opportunity to list those keywords and skills that are listed on the job description to optimize your resume for the ATS!
What are the main skills sought for in a Massage Services Resume?
The main skills that will be required as a massage therapist will of course consist of practical techniques in massage therapy! In addition to this, you will usually be expected to have great knowledge of physical science, sports science, customer service and health and safety.
What skills for a Junior Massage Therapist?
Basic massage practices to relieve stress
Basic sports massages to relieve pain
Certified massage therapist
General awareness of therapeutic massage services
Preparation and assistance during massage sessions
Preparation for hot stone therapy
Communication skills with other healthcare professionals
Interpersonal skills
Front desk organizational skills
What skills for a qualified Senior Massage Therapist?
Deep Tissue Massaging Techniques
Expertise in effective massage techniques of the Asian and European varieties
Recommending effective massaging techniques
Expertise in physical therapy
Management of massage revenues
Running hot stone therapy sessions
Well versed in the human anatomy
Ability to evaluate soft tissue condition
The vast majority of these skills will be relevant for any junior or senior massage therapist position, but more specialized positions will require job-specific skills. If you don’t think these massage therapist resume skills are specific enough for the jobs that you will apply for, then check out a more specific example of a massage therapist resume sample on our website!
Write the Ideal Resume Hook for a Massage Therapist Resume
Next, you will want to write a concise and snappy resume hook. This is a great way to reel in your hiring managers, outline your experiences and special abilities that are relevant to the job.
Example of a tagline for a junior Massage Therapist
Dedicated Massage Assistant with proven customer service skills. Handles issues with tact and has experience in contributing to total spa sales.
Sample tagline for a Senior-level Massage Therapist
Experienced masseuse with expertise in training new staff members. Proven track record to increase clients’ satisfaction and hit record sales growth by cross-selling products and building client base. Exceptional customer service skills.
Additional Headings for your Massage Therapist Resume
We have more or less covered all of the essential headings that your masseuse resume will require, but some jobs will require some additional sections. Always read the job vacancy carefully to determine whether you should consider doing this.
For example, some jobs may request evidence of your massage therapy qualifications, or a list of all massaging practices that you are comfortable with performing. In this case, you should definitely consider writing an additional heading to separate these sections from the rest of your resume.
Computer skills and certifications in a Massage Therapist Resume
Whilst computers may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when it comes to massage therapy, your prospective employer will be likely to expect you to have at least basic computer fluency. This could include the ability to use Microsoft Office to fill in clients' forms, or even manage databases containing clients’ medical histories! Always check the job description to see if you should mention any of these skills within a computer skills section.
Interests in a Massage Therapist Resume
Including a section dedicated to your personal interests is usually not the best idea when writing a resume. However, this all depends on what your interests are and whether they will strengthen your application. For example, writing about your interest in playing video games and cooking is only going to distract the ATS. However, if you are passionate about meditation, spirituality and yoga, then this could be worth mentioning! On the other hand, you can generally just provide this information in the skills section, assuming it is relevant of course!
Languages in a Massage Therapist Resume
Any U.S.-based massage therapy position will require you to speak fluent English - how else are you going to communicate with your clients? In some jobs, speaking another language may be a requirement!
In every case when you must speak an additional language, proof of fluency must be provided. In light of this, IELTS and TOEFL (with a minimum 30-point score) are both acceptable as English tests.
Summary: Key Points for Writing a Perfect Massage Therapist Resume
We’ve covered tons of information throughout this guide, so let’s take a breather and summarize what we have learned so far:
Remember to follow the format shown in this guide - it will definitely help your resumes maintain a consistently professional style.
Keep it personalized and don’t include generalized or irrelevant information within your resume.
The ATS systems are always checking, so make sure you’ve read the job vacancy carefully and include all relevant keywords!
It may seem obvious, but save yourself plenty of time to write your resume! This masseuse position could stick with you for years, so the last thing you want to do is leave it to the last minute!
We hope you are content that we have covered everything you need to know about writing the ultimate massage therapy resume! It’s time to finish up, but if you need any more help, you can always find more massage therapist resume examples on our website!
Write a Cover Letter That Goes With Your Massage Therapist Resume
There’s just one last thing we forgot to mention - you will need to write a cover letter to support your massage therapist resume! This will be a great opportunity to describe your passion for massaging and why you think you will be a valuable asset to the employer. It should be word-processed like your resume, and should not exceed one A4 page. Even if the job description doesn’t ask for a cover letter, it’s always a good idea to write one as it shows that you are going above and beyond to succeed in getting your dream job!
Frequently Asked Questions for a Massage Therapist Resume
Last but certainly not least, let’s finish things off with some of the most frequently asked questions in regards to massage therapy jobs.
How do you write a resume for a massage therapist?
You should follow this guide thoroughly and word-process your guide in Microsoft Word.
What skills do massage therapists need?
Massage therapists generally need practical skills in different massage techniques, knowledge of human anatomy, physical science and excellent communication skills.
What are the job duties of a massage therapist?
The job duties for a massage therapist include conducting massage techniques on clients, recommending the best massage therapies for general wellness, and carrying out practices in a way that comforts clients before beginning.
What skills should I put on my resume?
This depends on the job description, but generally you should include anything relating to effective massage techniques, organizational skills and communication skills.
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