American Fitness Professionals & Associates

By Tom Perkins

When it comes to hiring health and fitness personnel, clubs and facilities usually fit into one of two categories:

Those which carefully hire and train their personnel and those which do so inadequately.

Not surprisingly, it is the latter category that is most often looking for advice in how to approve their interviewing process. To that end, we’ve outlined the steps in the interview process which should prove beneficial to hiring a qualified candidate for your organization.

Process Overview

I suggest putting the candidates through two to three interviews. Interviews will reveal the truth. You have probably been excited about a candidate who sent in an awesome resume, only to interview the person and find you can have a better conversation with a wall. Create a job description

BEFORE you advertise.

A job description is an essential piece of human resource management. You should have your job description prepared in advance of placing the job advertisement or position posting. A good job description will clearly lay out objectives, duties and requirements.

Request the proper information. Ensure that you stress the position is one-half sales and one-half personal training in the advertisement. Request that a resume, with cover letter, be faxed, emailed or snail mailed to you.

Make it clear that you will not accept telephone calls. Screen the potential candidates prior to scheduling interviews. When calling potential candidates, provide them with:

*The company’s overview, philosophy, history, your bio, and job description/requirements.
* If possible, perform some type of pre-interview assessment to screen for professional and technical skills.
* If the candidate shows interest, and you are still interested, schedule a first interview.
* Familiarize the candidate with your interview process and expectations so that they are prepared when meeting with you.
* Tell the candidate to bring a copy of their resume and professional references with them to the first interview.

The First Face-to-Face Interview

In the first interview, you should primarily assess the professionalism and personality of the candidate.

You should:

* Assess the candidate’s appearance/presentation
* Assess their personality/communication skills
* If the candidate demonstrates the skills and personality treats you are seeking, and you are still interested, schedule a second interview.

The Second Face-to-Face Interview

During the second interview, assess the candidate’s communication skills on the floor.

* If they are a walking textbook of knowledge and have credentials any doctor would envy, yet lacks people skills, they should look for a career in research, not service.

However, if they have the personality to deliver outstanding service and the foundation knowledge to educate and empower, they have earned the right to make a living working with your members.

* The second interview is also a great time to meet other staff and/or members of management to see what they think of your candidate.

* It could also serve as a practical interview where the candidate has to show you what they know from either assessment, to designing a program, to running you through a workout.

* Discuss your vision and expectations, the personal trainer system, and the personal trainer’s roles and opportunities.

* Answer any questions they may have.

Review your notes and gather feedback from other staff members who spent time with the candidate. If you decide to make an offer, you can do so over the phone, but you should always follow up by putting the details in writing to ensure clarity.

The formal offer letter should explain salary, starting date, package, supervisor and what to expect in the first 90 days. There should be a 90-day training period and a 90-day review Hopefully by implementing this step-by-step process, you will be able to connect with a candidate that will become an integral, contributing member of your team.

Tom Perkins is a business solutions coach and certified personal trainer He has a degree in accounting and works with fitness professionals leading them to profitability. Send an email to thecoach1-140208@autocontactor.com to receive the Essential Fitness Business Success Checklist. Or visit his website at http://www.fitnessindustrysolutions.com/.

Contact Email Address: thecoach@FitnessIndustrySolutions.com Copyright Date: 2005 Tom Perkins. All rights reserved.