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Hockey Referee Resume Examples & Templates

Looking for a way to stand out? Our hockey referee resume examples can help you showcase your game management, conflict resolution, and communication skills to impress potential employers.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: December 12, 2025

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Jane Smith

Riverside, CA 92509
(555)555-5555
Jane.Smith@example.com

Skills

  • Game Regulation
  • Team Coordination
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Game Management
  • Rule Enforcement
  • Time Management
  • Communication
  • Participant Safety

Certifications

  • National Level Hockey Officiating - USA Hockey
  • Advanced Referee Techniques - International Officiating Academy

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • French - Intermediate (B1)
  • German - Beginner (A1)

Professional Summary

Experienced Hockey Referee with expertise in game regulation and team coordination. Adept at enforcing rules and optimizing officiating protocols, improving decision accuracy and participant safety.

Work History

Hockey Referee
Stride Sports Officiating - Riverside, CA
June 2023 - December 2025

  • Officiated 200+ league games annually
  • Enforced rules ensuring 95% compliance
  • Reduced penalties by 30% over 2 seasons

Ice Rink Supervisor
Avalanche Arena Management - Lakeside, CA
June 2016 - May 2023

  • Managed 15 ice rink staff members
  • Increased rink attendance by 20%
  • Optimized schedules saving K yearly

Assistant Referee
Glacial Referee Group - Lakeside, CA
June 2014 - May 2016

  • Assisted in 100+ games per year
  • Improved decision accuracy by 15%
  • Implemented feedback sessions quarterly

Education

Master's Sports Management
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
May 2014

Bachelor's Sports Science
Ohio State University Columbus, OH
May 2012

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How to Write a Hockey Referee Resume Summary

Your resume summary serves as the initial introduction to potential employers, making it important to craft a compelling first impression. As a hockey referee, you should highlight your understanding of the game, decision-making skills, and ability to manage player interactions effectively.

To assist you in creating a compelling resume summary, we will provide examples that illustrate what works well and what does not:

Weak resume summary

I am an experienced hockey referee with many games officiated. I seek a position that allows me to use my skills and contribute positively to the team. A supportive environment that values growth and development is what I’m looking for. I believe I can make a difference if given the chance.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific details about officiating experience or skills, making it vague
  • Contains excessive personal language, making it feel less professional
  • Emphasizes what the applicant desires from a job rather than highlighting their contributions and qualifications

Strong resume summary

Experienced hockey referee with over 7 years of officiating games at competitive levels, including junior leagues and high school championships. Successfully maintained a 95% accuracy rate in call-making and significantly reduced game-related penalties by 20% through effective communication and player management strategies. Proficient in rule interpretation, game flow management, and conflict resolution.

Why this summary works:
  • Begins with a clear statement of experience level and the context of officiating
  • Highlights quantifiable achievements that demonstrate effectiveness in maintaining game integrity
  • Showcases relevant skills necessary for a successful referee role, appealing to employers looking for competent officials
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PRO TIP

If you’re new to the game and don’t have much experience, consider crafting a strong career objective to highlight your passion for officiating in hockey. There are plenty of resume objective examples specific to refereeing that can guide you.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is important for your resume as a hockey referee, where you’ll present the bulk of your qualifications. Good resume templates always include this key section to highlight your relevant experiences.

This part of your resume should be organized in reverse-chronological order, detailing each officiating role you've held. Include bullet points that emphasize your achievements and contributions in each position.

Now, let's take a look at some examples that illustrate effective work history entries for hockey referees. These examples will guide you on what practices to embrace and which ones to avoid:

Weak work experience

Hockey Referee

Local Hockey League – Anytown, USA

  • Officiated hockey games.
  • Ensured players followed the rules.
  • Communicated with coaches and players.
  • Maintained game flow and safety.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific details about the level of games officiated
  • Bullet points are generic and don't highlight unique skills or achievements
  • Does not mention any training or certifications relevant to officiating
Strong work experience

Hockey Referee

Local Hockey Association – Toronto, ON

September 2020 - Present

  • Officiate youth hockey games, ensuring adherence to rules and maintaining a safe playing environment for all participants.
  • Manage game flow efficiently, leading to a 30% reduction in penalties and improving player satisfaction among teams.
  • Conduct regular training sessions for new referees, improving their understanding of the game and increasing overall officiating quality.
Why this work experience section works:
  • Uses strong action verbs that clearly convey the referee's responsibilities and achievements
  • Incorporates specific metrics such as percentage reductions to highlight powerful results
  • Demonstrates relevant skills like conflict resolution and team collaboration within the context of officiating

While your resume summary and work experience sections are important, don't overlook the importance of other sections that contribute to a well-rounded presentation. For detailed guidance on crafting each part effectively, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

A well-defined skills section is important for a hockey referee's resume. It allows you to quickly demonstrate your qualifications and expertise, making it easier for employers to see your fit for the role.

Every resume should have a mix of hard skills and soft skills. Including a diverse range of relevant skills will make your application much stronger.

Mastering hard skills like rule knowledge, penalty assessment, and game management is important for a hockey referee to ensure fair play.

Equally important are soft skills such as communication, decisiveness, and conflict resolution to maintain authority on the ice and foster cooperation among players and coaches.

When selecting skills for your resume, it’s important to align them with what the employer expects. Many organizations use automated screening systems that filter out job seekers lacking essential resume skills for the position.

To effectively highlight your qualifications, take time to review job postings closely. They often provide valuable insights into which specific skills recruiters and ATS systems prioritize, ensuring your resume stands out in the selection process.

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PRO TIP

To improve your chances of landing an interview, consider using the ATS Resume Checker. This tool identifies over 30 common mistakes to ensure your resume meets the criteria for passing through applicant tracking systems smoothly.

10 skills that appear on successful hockey referee resumes

Improve your resume to catch the eye of recruiters by showcasing key skills that hockey referees need and that are in high demand. You can find these essential skills illustrated in our resume examples, giving you the confidence to apply for jobs with the assurance that a strong resume provides.

Here are 10 skills you should consider including in your resume if they align with your experience and job requirements:

  • 1

    Game knowledge

  • 2

    Decision-making

  • 3

    Communication

  • 4

    Conflict resolution

  • 5

    Physical fitness

  • 6

    Attention to detail

  • 7

    Time management

  • 8

    Team collaboration

  • 9

    Situational awareness

  • 10

    Rule enforcement

Based on analysis of 5,000+ sports professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Selecting the appropriate resume format is important for a hockey referee, as it showcases your key skills, on-ice experience, and career development in a clear and compelling way.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Recent graduates and career changers with little to no experience in hockey officiating

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals focused on demonstrating their skills and potential

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Seasoned officials adept at managing high-stakes games and mentoring newcomers

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Including a cover letter can significantly improve your application by showcasing your personality and enthusiasm for the position. It allows you to highlight relevant experiences and explain why you're a great fit.

If you're looking for tips, check out our guide on how to write a cover letter or use our user-friendly Cover Letter Generator to help you get started quickly.

As a hockey referee, you might consider using a CV instead of a resume when applying for positions in countries where CVs are the standard. To create an effective CV, explore our comprehensive resources on how to write a CV that offer templates and guidelines tailored for international job seekers.

Additionally, reviewing CV examples can provide further insight into crafting your document effectively.

Soft skills like communication, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and decisiveness are essential for hockey referees. These abilities help referees manage player interactions while maintaining game flow effectively, fostering respect on the ice and contributing to a fair playing environment.

Highlight your transferable skills such as conflict resolution, decision-making, and communication when applying for hockey referee positions. Even if your experience is outside officiating, these abilities showcase your readiness to manage games effectively.

Use concrete examples from past roles to illustrate how you've handled similar responsibilities in high-pressure situations.

Yes, using a cover letter template tailored for hockey referees can improve the structure of your application. This approach helps to clearly showcase your officiating experience, communication skills, and ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively to hiring managers.

If you're aiming to become a hockey referee but lack formal experience, don't worry. Highlight your knowledge of the game, any officiating courses you've taken, and your involvement in local leagues or youth programs.

It's beneficial to showcase your leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and commitment to fair play. Employers value passion and dedication as much as experience. For more guidance on creating a resume with no experience, you can find helpful tips online.

About the Author

Gabriela Hernandez large profile photo

Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

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