Writing a CV for Personal Trainer roles

[BritLad]

Hi all, I completed my gym instructor course/certification (UK, REPS Level 2) this past summer and I will be starting my Level 3 ‘Certificate in Personal Training’ course/certification next month.
For financial reasons I really need to start working as soon as I get certified so I’ve started looking at vacancies advertised online at various fitness clubs/chains, etc. I’ve noticed they all seem to want a CV. Now I know how to do a standard CV, but I’m assuming that a CV for a fitness role might be quite different from that of an office based administrative role (which is what I’ve done for the past 15 years). So my question is this, if I’m applying for Personal Trainer roles, what should my CV look like?

BTW, I should mention is that I have not worked in the industry previously and don’t really have a sporting or fitness background either professional or personally to show a history or interest in sports or fitness.

[Keith S.]

Brit:

Since no one has gotten around to this I'll try to answer you. When I first applied to jobs 2 years ago, much like you I had no idea what to put on my resume (CV). I looked around online at other peoples resume's and took a little of what I thought was good from each. You want your CV to highlight your best attributes.

In an office you might write that you have extensive experience with X computer app and are proficient in most Windows apps. In writing your CV for a PT job you may want to highlight skills you possess that would be relevant. Maybe you played Rugby for 4 years during school or are CPR Certified and have experience in sales. It really depends on you and your skills. Google some trainers who have their resumes posted and see what you think works/doesn't and go from there...

[BritLad]

Originally Posted by Keith S.

Brit:

Since no one has gotten around to this I'll try to answer you. When I first applied to jobs 2 years ago, much like you I had no idea what to put on my resume (CV). I looked around online at other peoples resume's and took a little of what I thought was good from each. You want your CV to highlight your best attributes.

In an office you might write that you have extensive experience with X computer app and are proficient in most Windows apps. In writing your CV for a PT job you may want to highlight skills you possess that would be relevant. Maybe you played Rugby for 4 years during school or are CPR Certified and have experience in sales. It really depends on you and your skills. Google some trainers who have their resumes posted and see what you think works/doesn't and go from there...

Hey Keith, thanks for your suggestions. I managed to find some PT CV's online and thats been helpful, although I'm still a little unclear as to exactly to lay it out. With my old business/office focused CV I have listed achievements and duties for each of my roles, but I'm thinking most of this info will be irrelavant to someone employing a PT? Anyway, I think I'll pull something together and run it by some of the teaching staff on my course.

[Tom@foresight]

You will still need to detail you past employment history, even if from a different field. Skills you have used in an office based job may also be useful for an employer in the fitness industry to know about. These include communication skills, leadership, team work, etc...

IN my opinion a fitness CV should follow the same format as any other CV.

Hope this helps mate

TOM

[kaiser S]

Originally Posted by BritLad

Hey Keith, thanks for your suggestions. I managed to find some PT CV's online and thats been helpful, although I'm still a little unclear as to exactly to lay it out. With my old business/office focused CV I have listed achievements and duties for each of my roles, but I'm thinking most of this info will be irrelavant to someone employing a PT? Anyway, I think I'll pull something together and run it by some of the teaching staff on my course.

I think Keith is right on point - Obviously put your certs and cpr/first aid, but highlight you STRENGTHS - Put that stuff that you're proud of and try to get a face-to-face interview so you can explain what the achievements in your previous job actually mean - Then you can explain why those achievements will carry over to success in training - Half the battle is just being professional, being on time, etc. so if you can show you have these qualities, you'll be fine - Good luck man -