Fit For Life: Jobs

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Matt Espeut, GoLocalProv Health +Lifestyle Contributor

 

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In these times, so many people are looking for jobs.  And there are many others who are out there, like me, looking to hire good people. In the personal training field, as in other consumer service businesses, the primary thing we’re looking for is not how much knowledge you have – that’s a given. You have to have that. But beyond that it’s all about how you apply that knowledge. Your ability to work with others, motivate others, teach others, and be held accountable separates the applicant from one who comes in with the impressive resume. So, if you’re looking for a job, maybe some of what I’m looking for as an employer, will help you change your focus about how you present yourself.

I am currently in the market to hire some more coaches to help me run my growing business, and I have done so by putting ads in various web publications, but I am still  having trouble finding people who are a good fit for my program. I am not looking for a genius in anatomy, nor am I looking for someone that can compete in the iron man triathlon. My request is, as I see it, simple: You must be nationally certified, experienced (amount of not that important, just some), someone with a passion for the industry, fit and  energetic, with a good personality, that has knowledge of body mechanics and functional movement.  

Although that sounds like a simple request, the right people have eluded me so far. When I answered my first inquiry, my first question was: “how long have you been a trainer, and what principals do you follow when instructing your clients”?  The response was: “well, I lost over a hundred pounds, and I workout and I did this, and I did that for myself, etc.,"  so my reply was: “that’s great, and congratulations, but I really don’t care about all that you have done for yourself, I care about what kind of knowledge you have and how well you going to relate it to MY clients” – no answer.  Next!

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It’s not about YOU.

I have been training people for over 20 years, and  during that time, not very many of them cared to sit around and watch me workout, nor did they ask me how much I can lift, how fast I can run, or how high I can jump. Sure they were happy for me when I would win mountain bike races, and placed in bodybuilding competitions, but the main focus was always what could I do – for them. When I consult with someone whose has come to me for health and fitness, my first question to them is: “Why are you here, and what can I do for you”?  I don’t start listing all my certifications, and ramble off all the things I do for myself.  I do try to reassure them that they came to the right place to get themselves fit and healthy, and I tell them why. Not one person has asked to see any of my certifications, or my abs, or watch me max out on the bench press. Because - who cares? It doesn’t matter, what I can do for myself, it only matters what I know and what I can do to get them in shape. If I am trying to promote a youth training package, I will tell the parents that I trained an entire high school football team through a season free of injuries, and that they made it to the state championship. I don’t tell them how many tackles I made in my high school days, because it only matters what I know and how I can relate to them and their child - not what I have done. 

I’ve had applicants that list degrees. That’s all very well and good.  But can you train someone?  Can you motivate them and guide them?  Can you keep them on a steady plane of improvement – injury free?  After all these years, I’ve probably forgotten a lot of my anatomy and book smarts – and I might not recall the names of all the body’s muscles, but if you come to me with bad posture, a sore back, and pounds to lose, or a goal to perform better at an event, I know what to do.  And if you listen and do what I tell you, I can guarantee success. I’ve even had an applicant send me some amazing videos of strength, and agility, but the guy doesn’t return a phone call or show up for an interview on time. So what good is he to me, or more importantly, my clients?  I’m looking for someone who talks the talk, but also walks the walk – and can lead others. 

Do you care? 

Jobs, jobs, jobs is a big buzz phrase in Rhode Island these days.  If you are applying for a job, look at your ability to offer what you know to the job you are applying for.  It’s more than book knowledge.  It’s more than knowing your stuff.  For many perspective employers – like me – its about how you relate to others, and how you can take that brain knowledge and make a difference to a company, or in the case of a gym, to someone’s life.  For me, it’s not about how many mountains you have climbed, the most important thing is how well you can apply your knowledge and experience to help others – to lead, motivate, and care.  As legendary NFL coach Dick Vermeil said at a presentation: “Nobody cares about how much you know, they would rather know how much you care."

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Matt Espeut, GoLocal's Health & Lifestyle Contributor has been a personal trainer and health & fitnesss consultant for over 25 years. He is the owner of Fitness Profiles, a one on one, and small group personal training company, as well as Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, located at 1284 North Main St., on the Providence/Pawtucket line. You can reach Matt at (401) 453-3200; on Facebook at "Matt Espeut", and on Twitter at @MattEspeut. "We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one!"

 

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