What do you do if your temporary and contract work in Functional Training isn't reflected on your resume?
In the world of fitness, Functional Training has become a key approach, focusing on exercises that allow individuals to perform the activities of daily life more easily and without injuries. It's a dynamic skill that can make your resume shine. However, if your temporary and contract work in this area isn't listed, you might be missing out on valuable opportunities. Here's what you can do to ensure your resume reflects your full range of experience in Functional Training.
Take a thorough look at your resume and identify any periods where your temporary or contract work in Functional Training isn't mentioned. It's essential to have a complete work history that showcases your experience and skills. By assessing the gaps, you can determine which projects or roles were significant and should be included. Remember that even short-term positions can demonstrate your adaptability, commitment to continuous learning, and ability to apply functional training principles in diverse settings.
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1. Create a separate section titled "Contract and Temporary Positions" to highlight relevant functional training roles & experiences. 2. Include specific job titles, durations, and the names of the organizations you worked for in this section. 3. Emphasize key achievements & responsibilities in each role, showcasing skills and accomplishments relevant to functional training. 4. Use bullet points to detail the tasks you performed, focusing on how they contributed to client success and program effectiveness. 5. Mention any relevant certifications or specialized training completed during these temporary and contract positions. 6. Incorporate a brief summary at the top of your resume to highlight your diverse experience in functional training.
Your resume should have a format that accommodates various types of work experiences, including temporary and contract roles. Consider a functional resume format that emphasizes skills over chronological work history. This can be particularly effective if you've completed multiple short-term projects in Functional Training. Group similar temporary roles under a single section titled 'Contract Work' or 'Project-Based Experience,' detailing the skills you applied and the outcomes of your training programs.
Functional Training is all about practical skills that translate into real-world fitness improvements. On your resume, highlight the specific skills you've developed through temporary and contract work. This could include designing individualized training programs, teaching group classes, or integrating functional movement into rehabilitation programs. Use action verbs and specific examples to demonstrate how you've applied these skills effectively.
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A lot of people forget to highlight skills or continuing education that actually matters in their resume. I take an unconventional approach to my resume and have a section that highlights recent or relevant CEUs. Why? Because it catches hiring personals eyes. For example, being in an area dense with runners and lifters I place my developing the core CEU, endurance training CEU, and relevant lifting kinematic courses. It’s a good spot to clearly state which recovery techniques you are versed in. If it takes your resume up to 2 pages who cares? They are not going to throw your resume out, they are going to glance at it because it catches their eye. If I’m looking for a quality candidate, I’m not looking for the shortest paper. Relevance.
For each temporary or contract role you're adding to your resume, tailor the job description to highlight your contributions to Functional Training. Focus on achievements and the impact of your work, such as improving clients' mobility or contributing to a team's athletic performance. Use language that resonates with the fitness industry and illustrates your expertise in Functional Training methodologies.
If you received positive feedback from clients or employers during your temporary or contract Functional Training roles, include these testimonials in your resume. They can be powerful endorsements of your skills and work ethic. Choose testimonials that speak to your proficiency in Functional Training and your ability to deliver results, as these will catch the attention of potential employers or clients.
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Including testimonials I probably won’t put on my resume, but I would send in as a separate file. If you have a file of testimonials you’ve kept of Google, Facebook, Yelp, and other reviews that is a great asset. Put the best reviews at the top but I would place the others in as well. They won’t read them all, but the message is clear that you get good feedback from your clients. A good review is a detailed review. Reviews that demonstrate how you impacted a persons life. It can be hard to condense that into your resume, but sending in an extra file is not unwarranted as an interviewee. It shows you put in the work.
Networking is crucial in the fitness industry. Use your connections to get your updated resume in front of the right people. Reach out to former clients, colleagues, and employers from your temporary and contract Functional Training roles. Let them know you're looking for new opportunities and ask if they can provide referrals or introductions. Networking can often lead to job opportunities that never make it to a public job board.
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Start your resume with a summary of qualifications that encapsulates your experience in functional training, including contract & temporary roles. MY summary included, "Over 5 years of experience in designing and implementing functional training programmes across diverse settings, including temporary and contract roles that consistently delivered measurable improvements in client performance and injury prevention." Highlight any certifications or specialised training you have completed that enhance your credibility in functional training. Illustrate your ability to adapt to different environments and client needs, a key strength gained from contract work.