7 Insider Secrets For Landing Personal Trainer Jobs
Getting a job is tough these days – and even though the fitness industry is booming, competition for employment is still an uphill battle. Fortunately, you can gain an advantage once you know how to navigate through the job-hunting process and knock the socks off of fitness employers. By following these key tips, you can sail through the application process and land a job you love.
1. Don’t just look in the newspaper for jobs.
If you’re searching for work, the “Help Wanted” section might be the first place you go – but keep in mind that hundreds or even thousands of other people will see the same employment ads you do. Employers who advertise personal trainer jobs in the paper get flooded with more applications that you could imagine – and if you limit your search to classifieds, you’ll be up against some fierce competition. Use other ways to find job openings, such as checking health-club websites, calling potential employers, networking, and asking fellow personal trainers for job leads.
2. Research your employer before you apply.
What are the company’s goals and values? What’s their history? What kind of reputation do they have – both with clients and with the personal trainers who work there? Along with helping you decide whether this is a place you really want to work, familiarizing yourself with the employer gives you and edge in the hot seat at an interview. Employers love applicants who’ve gone that extra mile to learn about the company: it shows you’re serious about the job and that you’re not just spamming dozens of places out of desperation.
3. Write a killer cover letter.
This is your chance to shine. A boring cover letter could send your application straight to the slush pile, but a good one could make employers love you before you’ve even met in person. Don’t just rehash your résumé – inject some personality into your writing, explain how your skills and health interests make you perfect for the job, and show off the research you did in tip #2 by mentioning specifics about the company. For example, “I’m eager to work in a facility that promotes tolerance and inclusiveness like Springfield Health Club” is more detailed, intelligent, and impressive than “I want to work for your company.”
4. Jazz up your résumé.
Even if you don’t have tons of experience and education, you can create a show-stopping résumé with the right word choice and phrasing. No, I don’t mean you should lie – just that you should frame the truth in a way that makes you sound like you were born to train clients. Did you take PE classes in college? Then you “Developed physical fitness, coordination, and health knowledge in a group setting.” Did you wait tables to pay for those college PE classes? Then you “Served customers of diverse backgrounds in a friendly, prompt, and professional manner.” Make everything on your résumé relevant to personal trainer jobs.
5. Deliver your application in person.
Chances are, the health club or gym you want to work for will be getting tons of applications in the mail and online. If you make the effort to deliver yours in person, you’ll put a face to your name – and you’ll automatically become more memorable than all the applicants who just emailed their résumé and called it a day. Plus, you might get the chance to talk to other personal trainers in the building, meet the gym owner, or shake hands with your potential future supervisor.
6. Ace the interview.
You wouldn’t expect to do well on a test you didn’t study for – so don’t expect to do well on an interview if you haven’t prepared beforehand. Take a shower, comb your hair, dress nice, and greet your interviewer with a confident handshake and a smile. Most employers will ask the same tricky questions like “What is your biggest weakness?” or “Why should we hire you?” – so make sure you’ve rehearsed some good answers before the big day. And remember, body language often tells more than your words ever could: sitting up straight and making eye contact says “hire me!” far better than slouching and staring at your hands.
7. Follow up.
After your interview, send a short note thanking the company for their time and for considering your job application. Mention that you had a great time at the interview, and remind them how much you’d love to work with them. Not only does this show how thoughtful and courteous you are, it also pushes you to the front of the hiring committee’s minds if they have tons of applicants to consider.
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