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As the National Fitness Recruiter for Life Time Fitness, I have spoken with hundreds of fitness professionals looking to begin or expand their fitness careers. In recent months, I have received numerous calls and e-mails from people looking for career advice, from career changers wondering which certification to get, to students asking for advice on how to best gain practical experience while in school, to veteran professionals wondering how to further develop their careers.
Hiring managers and recruiters are receiving more resumes than ever before. The average recruiter spends about 30 seconds reviewing a resume. That sounds shocking, I know. You spend so much time preparing a resume, and it gets a thumbs up or down in just a few seconds? That’s why it is so important to make sure that your resume stands out and makes a quick but lasting impression.
So, what should you include in your resume? My advice is to work with the rule of three:
(1) Education and (2) Certifications
Make it clear, and make it first. Name the degree, major or area of focus, school, and date of graduation. Also list all current certifications.
Example:
Education & Certifications
University of California, Berkeley
Degree in Health and Fitness, Exercise and Intervention; Honors; 2001
National Strength and Conditioning Association [NSCA] 1996 – present
American Heart Association CPR/AED/First Aid; Current to February 2010
(3) Experience
List experience beginning with most current practical experience. Include company name, location, dates of employment, and your title. Highlight major job duties and emphasize experience directly related to the position to which you are applying.
Example:
Experience
Wells Fargo Center, Minneapolis, MN: 2005-present Health Fitness Instructor
Conducted fitness assessments consisting of sub-max heart rate test, rest and exercise blood pressure, body composition, flexibility and strength testing. Designed and implemented fitness programs for Wells Fargo employees.
If you have no practical experience, list experience that reflects transferable skill sets – customer service, technical capability, sales, etc. Include related hobbies, activities, clubs you are a part of, workshops you’ve attended, etc. Remember, keep it applicable to the job to which you are applying!
Objectives are optional. If you decide to use an objective, tailor it to the job and company to which you are applying. It is a recruiter’s nightmare to read an objective such as “to begin a career in pharmaceutical sales” when the available position is for a strength and conditioning coach. Thumbs down, next.
Make your resume stand out by sticking to a few simple dos and don’ts:
Do:
Clarify any extenuating circumstances, such as your upcoming relocation to a certain area or the timeframe within which you will be available for hire.
Include a brief introduction if you are sending a resume via e-mail. Use just a few sentences to clarify the position to which you are applying and the best way to follow up with you.
Research the company and position before applying. Know your stuff.
Make your resume Google friendly! Recruiters use search engines when searching for candidates. Include popular keywords in your resume.
Spell Check. It's there for a reason. Use it.
Keep it to one page! Remember, you have just a few seconds to make an impression. Be short, sweet, and memorable.
Don’t:
Include a picture.
Apply to a position with a company you don’t want to work with. This might sound obvious, but ask yourself if you would accept a job with the company if it were offered to you today. If not, don’t apply.
Fail to return a phone call. It’s a small world out there, and recruiters and hiring managers stay closely connected. Failure to return a call for an interview at Company A can affect your chances of getting a call from Company B. You never know who knows each other. Give the caller a courtesy return call or e-mail to let them know you have decided not to pursue the position at this time.
Mass apply. Think quality over quantity. Take the time to tailor your resume for each position and each company.
Good luck!
It seems that each morning we wake up, turn on the news, and hear of another company forced into laying off employees. Chances are that you have been affected by this economic downturn. Maybe you’ve lost your job. Maybe you know someone who has lost his or her job. Whatever the case may be, the question on the forefront of many minds is this: what now?
I’ve been a recruiter at Life Time Fitness for just over a year. I talk to a lot of people – from students to fitness professionals with 20 years of industry experience. But recently, I’ve found myself speaking to a new type of person – the career changer. This group is made up of teachers, financiers, coaches, and salespeople. Daycare providers, real estate agents, even a small production film maker. Different in many ways, but each has two major things in common. First, they are contemplating a career change. Second, they are passionate about fitness and helping others.
It may be tough to find a company that is still growing and hiring. When you do, you’re faced with the challenge of re-educating yourself to meet the requirements this company may have. The people I speak with seem to be asking themselves the same things: do I have the resources to do this, and is it worth it? I was finally inspired to ask someone who had actually experienced the same situation and was faced with the same challenges.
Enter Eric Kraut, a guy who was in similar shoes just a few years ago. After spending many years in the mortgage and marketing industries, and even starting a company of his own, Eric found himself exactly where many of us are today. His passion for health and fitness fueled the idea of a career change, and he is now a successful member of the Personal Training department with Life Time. Eric told me, "I was looking for a relationship and a way of life. Not just a job, but a lifestyle."
It took determination, ambition, and a little bit of faith, but was it worth it? Let's ask him. What does a typical day look like for you?
To make my members smile. To be entertaining!
What, if anything, did you do to prepare yourself for a career change?
“Taking stock in myself.” Meaning, who am I, what do I really want? Do research on me and then finding a career and/or company that was a fit for me AND for them.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your transition?
I think the obvious answer is how am I going to provide for my family. But the biggest challenge was trying to find a new career that would allow me to flourish and enjoy my life. How can I find a new career that would really allow for my strength to shine. I wanted to find a new career that would make me happy and most productive and utilize my strengths. That was a soul searching process, but so worth the time and self reflection.
What motivates you to come to work every day?
The fact that I get to not only live my purpose by really make a positive impact in someone’s life. My purpose is to use my enthusiasm and empathy to inspire & empower people to live a healthy & energetic lifestyle
What doors have opened up to you since your career change?
I have been promoted to Assistant Department Head within less than a year from when I started. I’m part of the Leadership Group within Life Time Fitness, as well as participating as one of the speakers for New Hire Training & Marketing Think Tank.
I am one of the Board of Directors of culinary arts advisory board for MN Free Arts. I have been selected to do a food segment on Fox TV and have applied to TV Food Networks “Next TV Food Network Star.”
Why did you choose Life Time Fitness?
My values are in alignment with Life Time Fitness. Plus, it has everything under one roof for the mind, body and spirit.
What advice would you give to other career changers?
Find out what you are passionate about...then write out your ideal job/career description, in detail. Once you do this, your search will become easier and when you find you "dream job/career" you will enjoy not only your job, but your life as well.
The Eric Kraut File 
Current Position:
Assistant Personal Training Department Head
Life Time Fitness, Eden Prairie Athletic
Eden Prairie, MN
Experience:
Personal Trainer (ISSA, NASM) - 2007 - Present
Mortgage Business Owner- 2004-2006
Marketing Consultant - 2003 - 2005
Mortgage Consultant - 1999 - 2003
The Daily Grind
What Eric loves about his job:
Health, Happiness & Energy
Eric's Q&A
If someone made a movie of your life, what would it be called and which actor would play you?
“The Good, The Bad & ‘Did that really happen?!” starring Edward Norton
What’s the first thing you do when you get home from work?
Head to the kitchen and cook. I am huge “foodie” and self taught “chef” (I use the word chef loosely…I should say aspiring chef)
Favorite quote?
"The important thing is this: To be able to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." -Charles DuBoios
Fun Fact: Eric was a model/actor for agencies in NY and LA
Check out Eric's blog at http://erickrautfitness360.blogspot.com/
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