I received a forwarded email from Alexia Cervantes in regards to our UCSD Personal Training staff/program.
I currently supervise our personal training staff and have done so for the past 20 years.
I currently do have a 15 trainers on my staff that work in a variety of capacities both as personal trainers, wellness coaches, and Post physical therapy specialist with our Workstrong program.
In the interviewing process we do an oral portion and a practical on the floor section. All of our UCSD employees that are not career staff are hired as by agreement employees. They receive no health benefits but we do have program benefits which include compensation for continuing education which we highly endorse. They also have a free pass to work out in any of our campus facilities as well as discounts on many of our personal programs such as Private pilates, private massage etc.
In the initial hiring process we have a 6 month probation period for all of our employees including personal trainers. During such time I am evaluating their timeliness, professional demeanor on the floor, feedback from clients, and ability to work with a diverse population as we serve students, staff and faculty here at our facility.
I have been extremely blessed in my hiring of staff and in a 20 year period have only had to let go of one employee!! Our hiring process also has a strong referral base which enables us to get honest, detailed information on the character/professionalism of our potential hires.
The standout qualities I wish to see within the early months of a new hire is punctuality, great communication skills both verbal and written, and an eagerness to learn as well as self- initiative. Thankfully I have one hire that I brought on to my team 4 years ago who has exceeded all expectations within his professional development, commitment, character, and willingness to wear multiple hats. The majority of my hires have gone on to even greater levels of achievement including but not limited to teaching at community colleges, opening crossfit gyms, and working in a developmental setting for Olympic and World class athletes.
The only hire who I had to dismiss showed signs very early in his professional demeanor that gave me indicators that he was not a good fit for our team. The areas of weakness were last minute cancellations with clients and constant loss of his cell phone.
In the application process I do have the trainers send me a resume/cover letter. I also after the interview process ALWAYS contact recommended references. I have a 3 tier pay rate system which has different levels of experience, education, and credentials/certifications.
In the actual interview I look for outstanding communication skills, charisma, and genuine compassion to help people. This in addition to a solid education, and minimum 3 years of experience. I have a team that needs to be very comfortable with not being micromanaged. On the floor I look for exemplary cueing and communication with acute attention to detail. Most importantly if an aspiring trainer doesn’t know the answer then speak the truth. Once I have discerned that the potential trainer is a great fit for our team they then are contacted by our Business manager to start the paperwork for hire as a UCSD employee.
Once the hiring process is completed I am the point person who gets the contacts from potential clients. I then send the needed information out to the training staff. I have a very diverse staff which allows me to know ahead of time areas of exemplary prowess, days/times of availability. This saves clients playing tag in getting an appointment set up. I do not require on the floor hours as I hire experienced trainers who come ready to jump right in. In the Wellness Program that we offer I do have them shadow the classes prior to teaching so that they can get a general sense on the formatting of time management and general flow of the class. The first 30 days on the job show me how eager a new staff member is by willingness to take days/hours that may not be easy 5:30/ 6 am clients as well as 8 pm or weekends. I definitely watch all of my staff intermittently with clients in an unobtrusive manner so that they feel immediately that I trust in their skill sets. Eagerness to learn and quickly adapting to our strong sense of team are the areas I evaluate the most heavily.
Terri Dowie
