They love your CV.. Now it’s time to meet them. Whether it's an individual or a company, a boutique studio or a huge gym chain, read our tips for making a great impression!

Before the interview

Once you’ve been formally asked to come in, you should start doing your research. Having a full understanding of the specific organization and their product should really help you stand out from the crowd. This will allow you to demonstrate a deep understanding of what the company does and its culture.

Here are the top 5 things to research before the interview:

1. The organisation’s history and their vision for the future
2. The products and services
3. The organisation’s culture
4. The organisation’s competitors
5. The type of clients

Think about the type of classic interview questions they are likely to ask. Tell us about yourself. Why do you want to work for us? What are your weaknesses? Why do you want to be a Personal trainer?

And think about not just what you can do for the company, but what you want the company to offer you. Are certain hours a deal breaker? Are you happy to lead classes if asked? What type of clients do you want to work with?

On the day

Dress smart-casual. A full suit and tie may be overkill, but leave your sportswear in your bag and bring it with you for any demos you may be asked to do on the gym floor.

Arrive 15 minutes early. Anticipate bad traffic, roadworks and delayed trains. Plan your route and make sure you’re there on time no matter what the world throws at you the morning of the interview.

From the moment you step into the organisation’s premises, you’re making an impression. So stand tall and be polite to everyone you meet. This normally starts with reception staff. Be friendly but remain professional.

When you sit down for your interview, the person you’re meeting has already seen your CV and understands a bit about your history. Your main focus should be to demonstrate you have the skills and attitudes that the person in front of you is looking for. You want to show your level of passion and enthusiasm for the gym and making a change in your clients’ lives. Answer question positively and take your time! Make sure you use positive body language, sit up straight, use eye contact, and - most importantly - smile!

Come prepared to ask questions. The interview should feel like a conversation. The employer wants to feel that you are engaged and interested. Think of three questions you could ask them to demonstrate. Examples could be, “how sociable are staff here?” or “do you provide staff with opportunities to go on training courses to develop their skills further?”

The interview is also the time to discuss remuneration. Businesses advertising a position will more often than not include in the advertisement details of the remuneration on offer. If the position is salaried and the business is offering, for example, an annual salary of £30 000, you will likely waste your time and theirs if you have no intention for working for less than say £50 000. No one likes having their time wasted and if the business intended to pay £50 000, they would advertise it. However, if the role sounds perfect for you and the only hesitation you have is the remuneration being offered, now is the time to discuss it with the interviewer.

After the interview

Always send a follow-up email to thank the company for taking the time to meet with you. It’s good manners, makes a strong impression and reinforces your commitment to the role.

Find out why athletes like Dwain Chambers choose to become personal trainers with us:

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