| Step 1. Identify what segment of the industry you | | | | particular club isn't doing so well. |
| want to work in. This should be based on your | | | | Step 8. Prepare for the interview. Your efforts will |
| passion, education, certifications and experiences. | | | | eventually reward you with an interview. First, make |
| Your choices are numerous: | | | | sure you do research on the business through their |
| - Commercial Health Clubs or Non-Profit (YMCA | | | | web site and Internet. Ask your network of friends |
| Jewish Community Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc) | | | | and family for additional information. Do not go to an |
| - Community Recreation Centers or Park and | | | | interview unprepared. It shows lack of initiative, |
| Recreation Departments | | | | preparation, and interest of an employer who |
| - University Fitness Complexes | | | | otherwise may have hired you. |
| - Medical Fitness (Health clubs attached or designed in | | | | Dress appropriately. You may run into the supervisor |
| conjunction with a local or regional healthcare system) | | | | or manager. Be prepared. Introduce yourself and tell |
| - Smaller, Privately Owned Niche Studios. (Personal | | | | him/her what you are doing there. If you have a |
| training/Pilates/Yoga) | | | | formal interview, depending on the region of the |
| - Resorts and Spa Fitness | | | | country you reside you may choose to wear |
| - Master Planned Residential Communities | | | | business attire, or business casual. |
| - Military Fitness Centers | | | | Bring a small portfolio with your resumes (3 copies), |
| - Corporate Fitness Centers | | | | references and certifications. Also, have a list of |
| - Own your own studio, franchise, or develop an | | | | questions. You will probably be asked if you have any |
| in-home training business. | | | | questions. It is not appropriate to bring up |
| Step 2. Determine where you want to live. There's | | | | compensation unless they bring up the subject first. |
| no sense job hunting in Hartford if you want to be | | | | If they ask if you have any questions to ask, be |
| live in Denver. You'll be spinning your wheels because | | | | prepared. It shows you are prepared, interested and |
| employers want to speak to local candidates. There | | | | intelligent. |
| are several national companies that will speak to | | | | Step 9. The interview. The interview should be |
| candidates from all over, but this strategy limits your | | | | serious and business like, but be yourself. Remember |
| choices. | | | | this when you begin your career: You will have fun at |
| Step 3. Know your economic barometer. You need | | | | work, but it is a business that your employers take |
| to know EXACTLY what you need to earn to meet | | | | very seriously. You should too. |
| your financial obligations. Housing, auto, insurance, | | | | When you prepare for an interview anticipate |
| loans, credit cards, food, apparel, miscellaneous, etc. | | | | questions you may be asked in an interview and then |
| You can¡¦t negotiate salary, benefits, etc. if you | | | | write out your answers. You want your responses to |
| don¡¦t know your personal financial situation. Part | | | | be concise. You shouldn't take longer than 2 minutes |
| of your strategy may be to maintain a current job | | | | to respond. Anything longer may take you off track |
| (wait staff, bartender job or other) while you | | | | from the question asked. |
| ramp-up your new career. However, holding down 2 | | | | The library, Internet and bookstore, all offer |
| jobs can be a double edge sword. If you are serious | | | | extensive information on interviewing skills, including |
| about your new career in fitness, do not allow your | | | | questions that both you and the interviewer may |
| secondary job to negatively impact it. Don¡¦t work | | | | ask. |
| in a restaurant until 2 a.m., and think you will be able | | | | Step 10. Evaluate the interview and follow up after |
| to do a fitness evaluation at 6:30 a.m. | | | | the interview. Send a personalized, handwritten thank |
| Step 4. Create a professional resume, cover letter | | | | you note to the person(s) who interviewed you. |
| and reference list. You can find numerous free | | | | Remind the interviewer why hiring you would be a |
| templates on Microsoft Word. The Internet is a great | | | | great fit for their business. You may not decide to |
| resource for career development. Put your best foot | | | | take the position, but it is good business acumen to |
| forward, as your resume is your calling card. Create a | | | | thank them for their time. |
| resume that is more traditional than over the top. | | | | If you were offered a position, do you have enough |
| Make sure that you personalize your cover letters | | | | information to make a decision? Have you seen a job |
| and address exactly what your skills are, matched | | | | description? Employee manual? Is there a |
| with what a company is looking for. When applying | | | | compensation plan with benefits in writing? If not, |
| for a job found on the Internet, such as or | | | | ask to see them. Remind the hiring manager that you |
| FitnessJobs.com, always send a cover note, and | | | | are very interested in the opportunity; however, you |
| follow the exact reply mechanism the employer is | | | | would like to see the information, and be able to |
| requesting. If the employer requests a cover letter | | | | make the right decision. |
| plus resume, don't just e-mail your resume as an | | | | If employers don't have anything in writing, it is a red |
| attachment! | | | | flag. It's important to work for a professional, well |
| Also, be sure you have clean copies and originals of | | | | run company. Avoid working for companies that are |
| all your degrees and certifications for your job | | | | not organized administratively. |
| interview. Make sure they are all up to date! | | | | Step 11. Accepting the position. If you believe there is |
| Step 5. Determine a radius of where you want to | | | | a good fit and want to accept the position, make |
| work. In the fitness industry you may be working | | | | sure your economic barometer is set. |
| flexible schedules. Being 20 minutes from home fits | | | | Don't get caught up in being offered a job, and not |
| very nicely into this type of work schedule. You will | | | | being paid what you need or deserve. |
| be able to spend more quality time at work and | | | | Other than compensation, important considerations |
| home without a strenuous commute. Once you | | | | before you accept your position include: |
| determine your radius, create a database in an Excel | | | | "" Is the ownership committed to the business? |
| document of all your prospective employers. Once | | | | "" Do they appear to be on sound financial footing? |
| again, the Internet is a great resource for this as well | | | | "" Does your supervisor seem to be someone who |
| as the local phone book. | | | | will be a good mentor for you and your personality? |
| Step 6. Network. Is there anyone you know that | | | | "" Is the position something you can see yourself |
| work for any of your prospective employers? Having | | | | doing? Will you be passionate about your job? |
| someone open the door for you is one of the main | | | | "" Do they have a training program for new |
| avenues where people secure jobs. | | | | employees? |
| Step 7. Send a cover letter and resume to your | | | | "" Is there growth potential? |
| prospective employers. Write the date of contact on | | | | "" If you are expected to generate revenues, are |
| your Excel tracking sheet. Follow up with a call to the | | | | there realistic expectations? Are you on a 90 day |
| appropriate supervisor within 7 days. You will want to | | | | produce or out lifespan? (If the answer is yes, don't |
| call the business and ask who is the hiring manager | | | | even entertain the thought of working for them. |
| for the position you are trying to secure. You should | | | | Move on.) |
| visit their web site to view any career opportunities | | | | Be sure you advise your future employer of any |
| and follow their online application process. | | | | upcoming family or personal obligations you are |
| Also, visit the location and get a feel for their | | | | already committed to. |
| business. Is it a friendly place? Is the staff well | | | | Remember this: There will never be a better time to |
| informed? Is the business well maintained and clean? | | | | negotiate for a better compensation plan than now. |
| Are the customers having fun and appear to be well | | | | They want you and there is room to negotiate. |
| taken care of? Can you see yourself working there? | | | | Be professional and realistic. You should have a sense |
| If your answer to these questions is no, it's probably | | | | of what comparable positions in the industry are |
| not a good choice for you. If you were further along | | | | paying. The more financial security you have the |
| in your career as a supervisor or manager, this may | | | | better you will be able to weather the storm and find |
| be a lead for a job, as the existing leadership in this | | | | the perfect job. |