Developing a Career: As a Certified Personal Trainer Robert Linkul MS CSCS *D NSCACPT 2012 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year NSCA Southwest Regional Coordinator Thank You! Thank You Delegates! I appreciate your time and your attention Thank you for coming! Thank You to my Wife Keagan Your love and support is very appreciated Thank You NSCA! I really appreciate the opportunity! 1
Goal = To Get You To Think Differently Agent Grady: You are discounting what scouts have done for 150 years.. Billy Beane: Adapt for die We must change the way we play the game. What Do You HAVE to Know? Learning the Steps to Success Creating a Plan (Blueprint) Finding Your Interest (Specialty) Certifications, Study Materials & Insurance Volunteer Work (Very Important) Observations, Mentorships & Networking Learning the Industry Standards (Salary vs. Commission) Goal Setting Continued Education Self Marketing Professional Presenting & Publishing That s All Mission Statement: To Improve the Quality of Certified Personal Trainers 1999 YMCA Certified Personal Trainer 2004 CPT at Arden Hills 2007 NSCA CSCS 2008 Masters Degree in CPT 2009 Head Personal Trainer 2010 NSCA NorCal State Director 2011 NSCACPT 2011 NSCA Southwest Regional Coordinator 2011 Strength & Fitness Director 2012 Presented at Personal Trainers Conference (*) 2012 NSCA CPTSIG Secretary 2012 NSCA SPD Secretary 2012 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year 2013 NSCA CSPS (Winter) 2
Career Developed Steps Date Progression Sessions Weekly 1999 Certified Personal Trainer (YMCA) 8 2004 Certified Personal Trainer (Arden Hills) 14 2005 Promotion to Head Personal Trainer 18 2007 NSCA CSCS 55 2009 Masters Degree in Personal Training 71 2009 Promotion to Director of Personal Training 97 2010 NSCA California (North) State Director 113 2011 NSCA CPT 121 2011 NSCA SouthWest Regional Coordinator 120 2011 Promotion to Strength & Fitness Director 129 2012 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year 100 2013 Career Development Consultant 85 (Clients) 5 (CPTs) You MUST Have a Plan That s why you are here today to create your PLAN. If you don t know where you are going You won t know what steps to take to get there Finding Your Interest This is a CAREER Not a JOB Must have Passion for this area This will be your specialty Learn as much as possible about this area How do you do that? Find a mentor Books, DVDs, Webinars, etc. Conferences Options Body Building Power Lifting Fat Loss/Weight Management Nutrition Sports Performance (sport specific) High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Suspension Training Body Weight Training Strength Training Core & Posture Development Special Populations - adolescences - older adults - pregnancy - disability or disease Endurance Training Strongman Strength & Conditioning Youth Development Corrective Exercise/Functional Movement Olympic Lifting 3
* This goalsetting sheet was inspired by Alwyn Cosgrove [From Counting Reps to Counting Revenue] 5/15/2013 NSCA Personal Trainer Career Development Goal Setting Sheet 2013 Name: Date: Areas of Focus: * Strongman Training *? * Fitness Author (articles) *? * Sandbag Training *? Short Term Goals: Three Months: How Can I Help You Accomplish This? Mid Term Goals: Six Months: How Can I Help You Accomplish This? Long Term Goals: One Year: How Can I Help You Accomplish This? Very Long Term Goals: Three Years: How Can I Help You Accomplish This? Professionally Speaking: Who are you? What do you want? What is your purpose? Certifications NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (NSCACPT) NSCA Certified Special Populations Specialist (NSCACSPS) Must have CPT prior to obtaining the CSPS Older Adults Adolescences Disability & Disease Pregnancy Certifications NSCACPT: Elite Lever Certification Fat Loss Strength Gain Performance Increased Health Special Interest Group (SIG) for CPT SIG Newsletter SIG BiAnnual Meeting Personal Trainers Conference National Conference NSCACSPS: Perfect for Special Populations Specific to Issues that 90% or more of general fitness enthusiast have Opportunity to offer services from an expert in a fitness facility Fastest growing demographic in our industry = older adults [Baby boomers] 2 nd Fastest = Youth 4
Getting Certified CPT Study Materials: Essentials of Personal Trainer (2 nd Edition) Three Practice Exams MultiMedia CDs Content Description Booklet Workbook, Audio CDs and Self Assessment Study Suggestions: Select a Date (About 6 Months) Develop A Study Schedule Take Practice Exams Weekly Don t Memorize LEARN Getting Certified CSPS Study Materials: One Practice Exams CDROM Content Description Booklet Workbook, Audio CDs and Self Assessment Other Materials: Essentials of Personal Training (2 nd Edition) Essentials of Strength & Conditioning (3 rd Edition) Exercise Techniques Manual for Resistance Training Exercise Management for Cardiovascular Conditions (Human Kinetics) Professional Liability Insurance General Liability/ Professional Liability for bodily injury and/or property damage to third parties Personal & Advertising Injury Liability Products/Completed Operations Liability Participant Legal Liability Sexual Abuse/Molestation Medical Expense (for insured Instructors) Medical Expense (other than Instructors) Shows a level of Professionalism Coverage follows you at all times Professional standard 5
Extremely Beneficial Local Level (entry) Regional+ Conferences Registration Presentation Exam Prep Newsletter Journals Committees Special Interest Groups (SIG) SPD Program Advisory Board State Director Regional Coordinator+ Volunteer Observation Speed Dating: Talk to Them All and Find a Few to Date If They Are Not Interesting, Don t Waste Your Time (Move On!) Look For Someone Who: Has Been There, Done That and Still Doing It! Alwyn Cosgrove Observations Include: Watching Group Workouts Sitting in on Team Meetings Learning Basics of the Systems Implemented in the Department Reading Observation Binder or Packet (if offered) Limited or No Q&A (Mostly Watching) Internship/Mentorship Time to Get Involved Done Dating Select One (or Two) to Commit To Once Committed: Dive In! Learn Everything You Can About Your New Interest Internship/Mentorship Includes: Participation in All Meetings Private Meeting with Director or Mentor Host Mentorship Binder Observation of Workouts and Participation (write reviews) CAN Lead to Employment! Do a Good Job! 6
Networking You MUST Network Job Opportunities (entry level) Career Development (upper management) Business Partnerships Speaking/Presenting Opportunities Educational experiences (internships/mentorships) Authoring or Publishing Opportunities Professional Development (marketing, sales, business, etc.) Could Lead to Your DREAM Job! You Never Know Self Marketing Getting an ImpromptuInterview is the Immediate Goal Show Potential Employers the Quality and Value of Your Product The Product is You!!! You Get 15 Minutes Make it Count! Establish Trust and Value We do this with our clients Must do it with employer too! Ultimate Goal is to Get an Interview You Need a Resume! Developing Trust and Value for Personal Trainers Performance Journal Volume 12 Issue 1 (pages 79) 2013 1 st Interview Build Your Resume Build Your Cover Letter (Letter of Interest) Goal is to Get a Follow Up Interview Say Thank You and I look forward to hearing back from you Apply In Person (if possible) Follow Up with Email or Phone Call Be Consistent on Follow Ups Do NOT Be Annoying Though Include in Your Resume Education Certification(s) Experience Accomplishments/Awards Future Objectives/Goals Personal Interest Short Biography Speaking Engagements Authored Materials References 7
What to Look For In An Employer Is There Room for Me? Some Companies Just Hire With No Need or Reason Must See Growth Must see a specialty Must see steps to success Must see professional development Blue Print Continued and Invested Interest in Making You Better CEUs Paid Time Off Responsibility Etc. Continued Education Never Stop Learning Fitness Industry is Like a Treadmill You Have to Keep up with it or You Will End Up On Your ASS! There is No Top of the Mt. Keep Climbing Next Level Certification and Conferences Certifications National Conferences Certified Special Populations Specialist (CSPS) * NSCA Personal Trainers Conference * Tactical Strength & Conditioning Specialist (TSAC) * NSCA National Conference * Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Perform Better Three Day Summit USA Weightlifting (USAW) Perform Better Learn By Do Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) ACSM Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition International Kettlebell Fitness Federation (IKFF) IDEA Personal Trainer (East & West) C.H.E.K. Institute (Specialist) NASM Performance Training Workshop 8
* This goalsetting sheet was inspired by Alwyn Cosgrove [From Counting Reps to Counting Revenue] 5/15/2013 Next Level Certification and Conferences Title PartTime (Annually) Full Time (Annually) Observation/Internship/Mentorship $0 $0 Certified Personal Trainer $18,650 $53,322 Certified Personal Trainer (Additional Certifications) TSAC FMS TRX USAW C.H.E.K. $20,588 $55,771 Health & Fitness Specialist Corrective Exercise Specialist Certified Special Populations Specialist $25,470 $47,163 Fitness Director $25,470 $41,921 Club Owner $35,336 $80,382 Elite Certified Personal Trainer (>1%) $60,000+ $100,000+ * ACSM Annual Report (2012) Start Your Career and Pursue Professional Development/Advancement Observation Internship Mentorship Floor Supervisor Trainer In Training Certified Personal Trainer Junior Team Member Senior Team Member Head Personal Trainer Director of Program Design Fitness Director What Defines a Career? Consistent Clients (Lifers) Constant Development Goals & Direction Full Time Effort M.A.T.E.R. Motivate Assessment Train Educate Refer (If Needed) Goal Setting NSCA Personal Trainer Career Development Goal Setting Sheet 2013 Name: Date: 3 Year: Very Long Term 1 Year Long Term Areas of Focus: * Strongman Training * Fitness Author (articles) * Sandbag Training Short Term Goals: Three Months: Purchase Study Materials for My NSCA CPT Exam and Create My Study Schedule Schedule NSCACPT Exam and Attend the NSCACPT Symposium Find an Area of Focus (specialty) Mid Term Goals: Six Months: Take & Pass My Exam and Become a Insured NSCACPT Interview, Earn and Start a Job Learn as Much as I Can About My Area of Focus (specialty) 6 Months MidTerm 3 Months Short Term Long Term Goals: One Year: Find My Mentor & Schedule the NSCA CSPS Exam Be OnTrack to ReCertify with Distinction Attend the NSCA National Conference & Network with My Peers Professionally Speaking: Who are you? Very Long Term Goals: Three Years: Have 25+ Lifer Clients and train Over 50+ Sessions Per Week Master My Area of Focus (specialty) Evolve My Job Into a Career & Pass My NSCACSPS Exam What do you want? What is your purpose? 9
Who are you? o I m a newcomer trying to find his passion and direction o I m a seasoned professional looking for the next level in my career What do you want? o I want to positively change the lives of my clients o I want to teach and mentor other fitness professionals What is your purpose? o To improve the quality of life o To motivate and the people around me * This goalsetting sheet was inspired by Alwyn Cosgrove [From Counting Reps to Counting Revenue] 5/15/2013 Goal Setting NSCA Personal Trainer Career Development Goal Setting Sheet 2013 Name: Date: Professionally Speaking: Who Are You? Right Now What Do You Want? Out of Your Career What Is Your Purpose? The Big Picture Areas of Focus: * Strongman Training * Fitness Author (articles) * Sandbag Training Short Term Goals: Three Months: Purchase Study Materials for My NSCA CPT Exam and Create My Study Schedule Schedule NSCACPT Exam and Attend the NSCACPT Symposium Find an Area of Focus (specialty) Long Term Goals: One Year: Find My Mentor & Schedule the NSCA CSPS Exam Be OnTrack to ReCertify with Distinction Attend the NSCA National Conference & Network with My Peers Mid Term Goals: Six Months: Take & Pass My Exam and Become a Insured NSCACPT Interview, Earn and Start a Job Learn as Much as I Can About My Area of Focus (specialty) Very Long Term Goals: Three Years: Have 25+ Lifer Clients and train Over 50+ Sessions Per Week Master My Area of Focus (specialty) Evolve My Job Into a Career & Pass My NSCACSPS Exam Professionally Speaking: Post Your Goals Teammates Can See and Assist In Accomplishment Put On Your Binder Put In Your Schedule Book Put on The Wall Post on Website Good to Show Clients and Potential Customers that You Are Driven Feels Good to Check Goals Off as You Accomplish Them Professional Speaking & Publishing Local: Newspaper Blogs Television State Conferences Regional & National: Regional Conferences National Conferences Eblast Websites 10
Be Part of the Solution Genuinely Care About Your Clients See Them Not $$$ Stop Basing Success on Gross Income It Takes Time for Your Efforts to Financially Catch Up Do Something to Improve Every Day Continued Education is the Key to Success Work Within Your Scope of Practice Do What You Know (nothing else) Until You Learn About It Don t Be Afraid to Say I Don t Know Be Prepared to Say But I ll Find Out and Follow Through Make an Educated Choice The Industry Doesn t Always Know Best Hold Yourself to a High Professional and Personal Standard Protect Your Reputation at All Times and Never Stop Building It You Know What They Say If You Are Not Part of the Solution You Are part of the Problem (don t be this guy!) Thank You! Robert Linkul MS CSCS *D NSCACPT 2012 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year NSCA SouthWest Regional Coordinator CPT Career Development Coach Robert.linkul@blogspot.com robertlinkul@gmail.com (916) 955 1586 Reminder: Please Attend the CPT SIG Meeting Saturday (Tomorrow) 8:30 10:00 am Organization Updates Career Development Etc. Be Part of the Solution! 11