How to Successfully Apply for a Divemaster or Scuba Instructor Job: Complete Guide

Rich Coast Diving
Aug 23
5 min read

Updated: Oct 10

Have you just completed your Divemaster training or Instructor Training Course (ITC)? If you’re passionate about scuba diving and ready to turn that passion into a career, landing your dream job as a Divemaster or Scuba Instructor starts with a strong, professional application.

At Rich Coast Diving, we receive many job applications every month. Unfortunately, many candidates miss out—simply because their applications are incomplete or unprofessional.

That’s why we offer a Career Development Workshop designed to help our newly certified Divemasters and Instructors successfully secure their first job in the dive industry. We’re proud to share that all of our candidates have found employment after completing their professional training with us.

To help you stand out and boost your chances of success, we’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to apply for a diving job the right way—including an example application email and a professional Dive Instructor CV template.

1. Research the Dive Center First

Use the SSI website to explore worldwide job opportunities.

Explore SSI Job Opportunities

Before sending out your application, take the time to learn about the dive center you’re applying to. Explore their website, follow their social media, and get a sense of their product offerings, current projects, staff, and instructor life. The dive industry is incredibly diverse, and finding the right fit for your goals is key.

Ask yourself: Do you want to work in a resort-style dive shop where most of the focus is on Try Diving and beginner courses? Would you prefer life on a liveaboard, guiding dives with the occasional course? Or do you thrive in a busy Career Center, teaching the full range of recreational and professional programs?

If you have specific interests—like marine conservation, freediving, wreck, cave, or technical diving—make sure your future employer aligns with those passions. For example, Rich Coast Diving is an SSI Career Center in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica. We offer year-round diving as well as both recreational and professional training programs. If your goal is to grow as an instructor and teach a wide variety of courses, a Career Center like this would be the ideal match.

Doing this research shows employers that you’re genuinely interested in them—not just applying to “any” dive center.

Rich Coast Diving partners with local conservation organizations such as CREMA to help protect and preserve marine life. We also organize citizen science trips, where participants can assist in collecting tissue samples and tagging turtles, sharks, and other marine species.

2. Write a Clear, Professional Email

First impressions count. Your email should be polite, professional, and to the point.

PRO TIP! Highlight keywords in bold that help guide the reader. See the example email below:

Example job application letter for dive instructors

DO's and DON'Ts

Include:

A short introduction (who you are, your diving certification level, where you’re from)
Why you want to work with this dive center or organization specifically
The role you are applying for (Divemaster, Instructor, or both)
Your availability dates

Avoid:

Sending a blank email with just your CV attached
Sending an email without a CV or student counts
Copy-paste applications addressed to other dive centers
Sending private messages asking to be contacted
Using casual or slang-heavy language

Dive instructor briefing at Rich Coast Diving

3. Attach a Well-Organized CV

Your CV is your marketing tool — make it count.

For diving jobs, you should include:

Personal details (name, email, phone, nationality, profile photo)
Diving certifications (agency, level, date)
Number of dives and notable diving experience
Work experience (diving and non-diving if relevant)
Languages spoken
Additional skills (photography, boat handling, equipment maintenance, sales, etc.)

Keep it clear and ideally everything on 1 page. Remember to only include relevant information about your experience in the diving industry from the past few years. PDF format works best.

PRO TIP! Name your CV file clearly and professionally—something like:

[Your Name] – CV Dive Instructor 2025.PDF

Dive centers receive a high volume of applications, so using a clear and specific file name helps them find your CV quickly, especially if they plan to keep it on file for future opportunities. See the example below:

Sample or example CV for dive instructor and divemasters

4. Include a Recent Professional Photo

A friendly, professional headshot makes your application more personal and memorable. Avoid group shots, selfies in sunglasses, or low-quality images.

Here at Rich Coast Diving, we provide all of our PRO candidates with professional-looking photos that they can use for their CV and job applications.

Professional photo for Scuba Instructor CV

5. Add References (If Possible)

As dive center owners, we always request and verify references for any staff we consider hiring. Delivering excellent service is our highest priority, and a solid reference from a previous employer greatly strengthens your application. Please make sure your reference details are up to date and include both an email address and a WhatsApp number.

At Rich Coast Diving, we also support our successful professional candidates and staff members by providing a personalized reference letter upon request.

6. Highlight Your Soft Skills

While diving skills are important, teamwork, customer service, adaptability, and enthusiasm are equally valued. Mention experiences where you worked with international guests, handled challenging situations, or went the extra mile for customers.

7. Follow Up — But Professionally

If you haven’t heard back after 1–2 weeks, it’s fine to send a polite follow-up email. Avoid sending daily messages or asking about salary before an interview.

8. Be Ready for an Interview

Many dive centers prefer to conduct interviews either in person or online via platforms like WhatsApp or Zoom. Whenever possible, meeting your potential employer face-to-face is ideal, as it allows you to build a stronger personal connection. Dive industry events such as DEMA, Boot Düsseldorf, or other regional dive shows are excellent opportunities to meet dive center owners and make a strong first impression.

Before your interview, be sure to prepare thoroughly. Employers will want to understand why you’re interested in the position, what your diving background is, and what unique skills or qualities you can bring to their team. Be honest, confident, and enthusiastic.

Common questions you might be asked include:

Why are you interested in working with our dive center specifically?
Can you tell us about your dive training and certifications?
How many students have you certified and which courses?
What kind of dive environments do you have experience with (e.g., tropical, cold water, drift, wreck, etc.)?
How do you handle nervous or inexperienced divers?
What languages do you speak, and how comfortable are you leading dives in those languages?
Are you comfortable with equipment maintenance and basic repair?
How do you contribute to a positive team environment?
Are you available for a long-term contract or short-term season?
Are you legally eligible to work in this location (visa status, work permits, etc.)?

Being well-prepared to answer these questions thoughtfully and professionally will significantly improve your chances of securing the job. Additionally, it’s a good idea to have some thoughtful questions of your own to ask the employer, such as:

What is the typical schedule for staff during the high and low seasons?
What kind of training or support do you provide for new team members?
Can you describe the daily schedule of a dive instructor and what do instructors generally do in their free time?

Final Thoughts

The dive industry is competitive, but with the right approach, you can stand out. A professional, personalized, and well-prepared application tells us that you’ll bring the same professionalism to our guests and diving activities.