"The Personal Trainer Interview"

How to Prepare for Your Personal Trainer Interview

A Personal Trainer Interview can seem like a test; some people "freak out" and others stay cool, calm, and collected. So, how do you make sure that you fall into the second category? Practice and preparation.

This section of the My Personal Trainer School guide is meant to introduce you to the qualities that a Fitness Manager is looking for in their potential employees and to the types of questions that they are likely to ask you.

Timeliness

The first impression that your interviewer will have of you is based on your timeliness. I don't remember the exact words, but there is a saying that goes something like this..."if you're just on time, you're actually late".

To avoid starting off your Personal Trainer interview on the wrong foot, make sure to research your directions to the location ahead of time. If you have the opportunity, try a test run a day or two ahead of time. You'll be more confident not having to worry about getting there. I'm pretty sure that in my years of conducting interviews that I only hired 1 person that was late for our scheduled meeting.

Appearance

As much as Personal Training is a fun career where you get to wear sneakers and athletic wear to your "office" everyday, the Personal Trainer interview should still be looked upon as a formal setting. Too many times I've seen applicants in jeans, sneakers, t-shirts, ripped khakis, etc. The message being sent is that you do not take the job or yourself seriously. It doesn't have to be your "Sunday best", but going the extra mile in this category shows that you care.

Personal Trainer Interview Types

There are several interview types. The one that I've both conducted and experienced the most is a split interview.

Your first stage is the formal, dress-up, sit down, learn about the company, and answer questions interview. Here's what we look for:

• Professionalism


• Excellent Communication and Articulation


• Passion and Excitement


• Strengths and an Understanding of Your Weaknesses


• Organizational Skills


• Your Outlook on the Job and Your Future Aspirations

Part 2 of this format is usually a practical or applied knowledge section. In the second meeting, you may be taking a current Personal Trainer (who will be in character) through a mock consultation or workout while the Fitness Manager acts as a fly on the wall, stepping in every so often to ask for more detail or a progression or regression of the exercises you've selected.

At the very end of Part 2, I often required applicants to perform their best "sales presentation" to convince their mock client to continue Personal Training with them.

This type of Personal Trainer interview setup allows the Fitness Manager to go beyond your education and communication. Since these are not the only two job requirements, the manager is looking for all of your strengths and all of your weaknesses in coaching, sales, communication, and more.

At the end of the interview, be sure to ask for feedback on your performance. If someone was not ready for employment, I would always make sure they knew what they needed to work on, and I would keep their information on file to contact them in the future.

Personal Trainer Interview Questions

I've been asked thousands of interview questions. The following list contains examples of what you may be asked. It is a good idea to print this list and write down your own answers before you begin interviewing. Also, spend extra time answering the questions out loud. This will have a huge impact on your confidence and communication when you are actually in the interview.

• Why do you want to be a Personal Trainer?


• Why did you choose to apply at this company?


• What do you think a Personal Trainers greatest responsibility is?


• Give an example of an instance where you employed excellent customer service skills.


• Tell me about a time when you and group members didn't see eye to eye on a subject and what you did to work through the issue.


• Give an example of a time when you were forced to make a difficult decision.


• Would you make that same decision now given the results and any repercussions?


• Which is more important, creativity or productivity? Why?


• What is the most recent article you've read in a Fitness Journal?


• What books are you reading currently?


• You disagree with another Personal Trainers program design. What actions do you take?


• How do you continue your Personal Trainer education?


• How often should people work out with you?


• What if a potential client can only meet with you once each month?


• How do you envision growing your Personal Training business?


• What qualities will set you apart from the rest of the Personal Trainers here?


• In what professional areas can you most improve?

Recommended Reading

Personal Trainer Resume - What do you need to bring to every interview? Your resume, and it should be a professional one at that. Learn about our services provided by Marni of "Resumes Write Now".

Personal Trainer Course - Hoping that you do get the job with your interview skills and your professional resume, you are going to have to learn how to sell your skills to different types of clientele. Our course will give you the headstart you need.

Continue to: Personal Trainer Goal Setting

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