One of the most important rules of business is understanding that the people you employ can either make or break your business. When it comes to owning a fitness franchise, the success of your gym will likely be determined by the level of service your clients receive, so your staff selection is extremely important.
Since the day-to-day business of running a gym can be so time-consuming, it may be hard to prioritize the recruitment and the hiring process for your staff. Whether it’s hiring a personal trainer or a receptionist, here are five best practices to help you hire the best team for your gym.
1. Create an excellent (and accurate) job description.
This is the first step you must take when you are hiring an employee for your gym. Several job descriptions are overly fixated on detailed academic requirements and the experience and skills necessary for the role. While that may be important, the poster often forgets to highlight the main responsibilities of the job, which can result in the hiring of a person who is not suitable for the role in all aspects.
You should explain exactly what the job will entail in great detail in order to set accurate expectations from the start. Ensure that you identify goals that need to be achieved by the future employee in the job description, keeping in mind that the goals should be realistic. You will also want to make sure the job description is well-written and carefully thought out. It can be challenging to write the copy for a job description, but it is important that you take the time to perfect it before posting!
2. Focus on people skills.
According to Hireology, while your focus should be on candidates who have the basic skills required for the job (like knowing the latest fitness training trends or sales strategies), it’s important to concentrate on people skills too. Such skills include communication, problem management, customer service, and body language.
Remember that everyone who works at a gym plays a customer service role, whether it’s the trainer or the receptionist. Your members should feel welcomed when they come into your studio, and your employees are the people who will either make or break that feeling. You should hire the people that will create an environment you are proud of!
3. Give them a test.
Once you think you have found the right candidate for the job(s), don’t be afraid to ask them to complete a test. For example, you could ask a fitness instructor to lead a mock class in order to observe his or her style or ask the receptionist to shadow you at the front desk for an afternoon. It is important that you observe his or her potential during the interview stage instead of waiting until the hiring process has concluded.
4. Authenticate all information given by candidates.
Verification is one of the most important steps in the recruitment process. A CareerBuilder survey revealed that more than 50% of employers have discovered a lie on a resume. It’s crucial to ensure the information you received from your candidates during the screening process is valid. If you have to pay for background checks to to verify employment records and certifications, do so. This is a necessity in the fitness and wellness industry, “where employees are not only working with members’ billing details, but may also be placing them in physical danger if they’re embellishing certifications or education background,” says Hireology.
5. Culture and experience.
Avoid the mistake of putting more value in culture fit than in the value of relevant experience. It is important to note that the perfect candidate will likely be a good fit for your team due to his or her ability to fit into the culture, and also because he or she has the skills needed to get the job done. We highly encourage you to consider hiring individuals that are familiar with your brand and your culture, such as an existing customer. Take a look at this article and webinar to learn more about turning your customers into hardworking employees.
In the end, what will allow you to have a great company culture is your team of amazing, like-minded and hardworking individuals. In order to build your desired company culture, you need to hire great candidates who will make you proud through their character and hard work. Culture fit is very important, but you should only select candidates based on the culture fit factor once you have already tested their ability to deliver on performance objectives.
We truly believe that it is important to invest in the right staff for your gym, as this will have a huge influence on client retention. We hope that these few tips will help you hire an incredible group of individuals that will allow you to continue to grow your F45 Training business!
