Need advice on getting hired - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[SeanM]

Hi trainers,

First of all, if there is already a thread on this, please let me know, but I didn't have much luck when I searched.

Basically, I'd like a little insight on what one could do to better their chances of getting hired by a gym if they don't have any experience. I am NASM certified, and have a B.S. in Food and Nutrition (not a Registered Dietician), but I'm having a lot of trouble landing a job. I got certified in March of 2009, and I've been looking since then with no luck.

I don't know other personal trainers, so networking isn't very useful. In addition to checking job sites, I have personally gone to all the local gyms that I know of, but they took my info, and never got back to me. Even a well done cover letter and resume look a little pitiful without any relevant experience, so I'm feeling a bit helpless.

What I do know is that training is what I want to do with my life. I love helping people, and interacting with different personalities. I'm very passionate about fitness and nutrition, and training has been a long term goal of mine.

Any advice?

[Dave, ElevationFit.com]

Have you trained any friends, family, or current co workers? When I was starting my own training business I trained a few friends and people I worked with. This helped me establish some great references right away that I could use when promoting myself elsewhere.

Also, if you have a specific gym you would really like to work at why not make contact directly with the trainers there? I got my first training job by talking to a trainer at the gym I really wanted to work at. I asked the guy if he had 5 minutes to sit down over coffee and tell me more about the business as I was very interested in the field. He was more than happy to give me some of his time and it gave me a chance to show my knowledge and enthusiasm. I have since been on the other side of this equation and have helped a few new trainers get started in the field.

Making it as a trainer is about selling yourself as the best person for the job and then backing that up with the required knowledge. It sounds like you have the smarts, now you just have to show the gym what a great asset you would be.

Good luck.

[SeanM]

Thanks Dave,

I just offered to train my friend for free with the agreement that she'll be a future reference (if she's satisfied ). I plan to use the local park as our stomping ground and get creative with exercises that utilize body weight.

I'd like at least one more person to train under this agreement, so I keep dropping subtle hints about it to certain people. Because "you could really use some free personal training and I could use a reference" is a bit brash, heh. I'm sure I'll find someone.

Anyhoo, thanks again for the suggestions!

- Sean

[ptjustinbowers]

Most corporate gyms will allow you to shadow a personal trainer to gain experience. I was an established veteran at personal training when I applied for a part-time position at a corporate facility. What I learned from the trainer I shadowed was not the *right* thing to do, but what *they* thought the right thing to do was. I quickly learned that just because I know what I'm doing didn't mean that I couldn't learn from someone else. As the old saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat. (Who says that?!)

With your degree in nutrition, ANY gym would be happy to snatch you up. Most guys applying for jobs in gyms are just workout geeks or college kids with no experience. They'd be happy to take someone like you who already has a grip on one facet of the business.

Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes!

[portlandGymRat]

I'm in the same boat as you are really. My advice: LIE! LIE LIE LIE. Make up people you have trained. IF you love what you do and you want it bad enough then you will be convincing.
You know NUTRITION, 90% of training/ weight loss goals, YOUR certified and have (I'm assuming) been training yourself for years, use some of your experiences and accomplishments but put someone else's name to them.
I am not condoning lying but do what you gotta do to get a job!
Or you could train people, NOT for Free, but next to free, 10-15 bucks a session, solely because people don't take free things seriously! If you want good references charge them, otherwise you probably won't be taken seriously and no goals/accomplishments will really be had and your time will have been wasted.
Just my opinions though...

[blackbook sports]

We are finding that Personal trainers seeking roles with LA Fitness, DW Sports or Fitness First are all required to have REPS level 3 (register of Excercise Profesionals) or the equivalent at the national standard.

We have a large selection of Leisure jobs in the UK and wordwide.

[lovely2510]

Hi trainers,

First of all, if there is already a thread on this, please let me know, but I didn't have much luck when I searched.

Basically, I'd like a little insight on what one could do to better their chances of getting hired by a gym if they don't have any experience. I am NASM certified, and have a B.S. in Food and Nutrition (not a Registered Dietician), but I'm having a lot of trouble landing a job. I got certified in March of 2009, and I've been looking since then with no luck.

I don't know other personal trainers, so networking isn't very useful. In addition to checking job sites, I have personally gone to all the local gyms that I know of, but they took my info, and never got back to me. Even a well done cover letter and resume look a little pitiful without any relevant experience, so I'm feeling a bit helpless.

What I do know is that training is what I want to do with my life. I love helping people, and interacting with different personalities. I'm very passionate about fitness and nutrition, and training has been a long term goal of mine.

Any advice?

Follow what Dave says. You have to sell yourself first. Train your friends, and ask your friends to tell their friends too. Word of mouth is a great advertisement.