How to Start Your Career in the Fitness Industry - 7/30/2008

You've done it. You just received your personal training certification or your degree, or you quit your boring job and decided its time to do something you are passionate about.

What next? Its game time, baby. Time to get motivated about your new career and serious about your job search.

FitnessJobs.com, the leading recruitment site for the fitness industry, has created a plan to assist you in your search for a new career. Below are proven steps that will position you for not only success in the fitness industry, but help you finding personal satisfaction as well.

Step 1. Identify what segment of the industry you want to work. This should be based on your passion, education, certifications and experiences. Your choices are numerous:

Commercial health clubs or non-profit (YMCA/Jewish Community Centers)
Community recreation centers or park and recreation departments
University fitness complexes
Medical fitness. Health clubs attached or designed in conjunction with a local or regional healthcare system
Smaller, privately owned niche studios. (Personal training/Pilates/yoga)
Resorts and spa fitness
Master planned residential communities
Military fitness centers
Corporate fitness centers
Own your own studio, franchise, or develop an in-home training business.

Step 2. Determine where you want to live. Theres no sense job hunting in Hartford if you want to be live in Denver. Youll be spinning your wheels because employers want to speak to local candidates. There are several national companies that will speak to candidates from all over, but this strategy limits your choices.

Step 3. Know your economic barometer. You need to know EXACTLY what you need to earn to meet your financial obligations. Housing, auto, insurance, loans, credit cards, food, apparel, miscellaneous, etc. You cant negotiate salary, benefits, etc. if you dont know your personal financial situation. Part of your strategy may be to maintain a current job (wait staff, bartender job or other) while you ramp-up your new career.

However, holding down 2 jobs can be a double edge sword. If you are serious about your new career in fitness, do not allow your secondary job to negatively impact it. Dont work in a restaurant until 2 a.m., and think you will be able to do a fitness evaluation at 6:30 a.m.

Step 4. Create a professional resume, cover letter and reference list. You can find numerous free templates on Microsoft Word. The Internet is a great resource for career development. Put your best foot forward, as your resume is your calling card. Create a resume that is more traditional than over the top.

Make sure that you personalize your cover letters and address exactly what your skills are, matched with what a company is looking for. When applying for a job found on the Internet, such as Monster.com or FitnessJobs.com, always send a cover note, and follow the exact reply mechanism the employer is requesting. If the employer requests a cover letter plus resume, dont just e-mail your resume as an attachment!

Also, be sure you have clean copies and originals of all your degrees and certifications you may have. Make sure they are all up to date!

Step 5. Determine a radius of where you want to work. In the fitness industry, you may be working flexible schedules. Being 20 minutes from home fits very nicely into this type of work schedule. You will be able to spend more quality time at work and home without a strenuous commute. Once you determine your radius, create a database in an Excel document of all your prospective employers. Once again, the Internet is a great resource for this as well as the local phone book.

Step 6. Network. Is there anyone you know, that are work for any of your prospective employers? Having someone open the door for you is one of the main avenues people secure jobs.

Step 7. Send an introductory letter and resume to your prospective employers. Write the date of contact on your Excel tracking sheet. Follow up with a call to the appropriate supervisor within 7 days. You will want to call the business and ask who is the hiring manager for the position you are trying to secure. You may also want to visit their web site to view any career opportunities and follow their online application process.

Also, visit the location and get a feel for their business. Is it a friendly place? Is the staff well informed? Is the business well maintained and clean? Are the customers having fun and appear to be well taken care of? Can you see yourself working there?
If your answer to these questions is no, it probably is not a good choice for employment. If you were further along in your career as a supervisor or manager, this may be a lead for a job, as the existing leadership in this particular club isnt doing so well.

Step 8. Prepare for the interview. Your efforts will eventually reward you with an interview. First, make sure you have done some research on the business through their web site and Internet. Ask your network of friends and family for additional information. Do not go to an interview unprepared. It shows lack of initiative, preparation, and interest of an employer who otherwise may have hired you.

Dress appropriately. Dont show up to an interview or to fill out an application wearing shorts and flip flops. You may run into the supervisor or manager. Be prepared. If you have a formal interview, depending on the region of the country you reside you may choose to wear business attire, or business casual.

Bring a small portfolio with your resumes (3 copies), references and certifications. Also, have a list of questions. You will probably be asked if you have any questions. It is not appropriate to bring up compensation unless they bring up the subject first. If asked if you have any questions, have several to ask. It shows you are prepared, interested and intelligent.

Step 8. The interview. The interview should be serious and business like. Remember this when you begin your career: You will have fun at work, but it is a business that your employers take very seriously. You should too.

When you prepare for an interview anticipate questions you may be asked in an interview and then write out your answers. You want your responses to be concise. You shouldnt take longer than 2 minutes to respond. Anything longer may take you off track from the question asked.

The library, Internet and bookstore all offer extensive information on interviewing skills, including questions that both you and the interviewer may ask.

Step 9. Evaluate the interview and follow up after the interview. Send a personalized, hand written thank you note to the person(s) who interviewed you. Remind the interviewer why hiring you would be a great fit for their business. You may not decide to take the position, but it is good business acumen to thank them for their time.

If you were offered a position, do you have enough information to make a decision? Have you seen a job description? Employee manual? Is there a compensation plan with benefits in writing? If not, ask to see them. Remind the hiring manager you are very interested in the opportunity, however, you would like to see the information, and evaluate it to be able to make a good decision.

If employers dont have anything in writing, it is a red flag. It is important to work for a professional, well run company company. Avoid working for companies that are not organized administratively.

Step 11. Accepting the position. If you believe there is a good fit, and want to accept the position making sure your economic barometer is set.
Dont get caught up in being offered a job, and not being paid what you need.



Other than compensation, important considerations before you accept your position include:

Is the ownership committed to the business?
Do they appear to be on sound financial footing?
Does your supervisor seem to be someone who will be a good mentor for you and your personality?
Is the position something you can see yourself doing? Will you be passionate about your job?
Do they have a training program for new employees?
Is there growth potential?
If you are expected to generate revenues, are there realistic expectations? Are you on a 90 day produce or out lifespan? (If the answer is yes, dont even entertain the thought of working for them. Move on.)

Be sure you advise your future employer of any upcoming family or personal obligations you are already committed to.

Remember this. There will never be a better time to negotiate for a better compensation plan than now. They want you and there is room to negotiate.
Be professional and realistic. You should have a sense of what comparable positions in the industry are paying. The more financial security you have, the better you will be able to weather the storm, and find the perfect job.

Be sure to visit FitnessJobs.com. A free service for job seekers allowing you to post resumes, view current job openings and setting up job alerts.