Applying for a Job, Part 2: Resume & Reference Letters

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So you’ve visited the studio or studios where you think you might be interested in applying. You like the vibe. You like the people. Now it’s time to deliver a resume and reference materials.

Personally, my eyes glaze over whenever I look at a resume. I can’t speak for all studio owners, but most of us certainly aren’t looking for anything fancy. You just need something that lists your education and training, your experience, and your references. There’s no need to print it on gold-leaf paper or stress about the format. Of course, other studio owners may have a completely different attitude, but to me, it’s the information that’s important, not the package.

The basics are what count in a resume. I want to know where and when you were trained, who your instructors were. I want to see a list of any training or workshops you’ve taken in addition to your comprehensive Pilates training. And don’t forget to list anything of interest even if it’s not Pilates-based. For example, if you’ve studied cello for seven years or you’re an avid hiker, tell me! This kind of information gives me a better idea of your personality and your interests. Those are things that will help a studio owner figure out if you’ll be a good fit with his/her studio.

Hopefully, you’ll have a well-respected comprehensive Pilates Training program right at the top of your resume. Programs like Balanced Body, Long Beach Dance Conditioning, Stott, Physical Mind, Power Pilates are all known, established programs. If you’ve had your training with any of them, we’ll have a general idea of your skills and background. This doesn’t mean that if you’ve trained somewhere else that we’re not interested. But if you trained with a small boutique program that we may not have heard of, then you would be wise to include some information about the program with your resume. Offer some details to help the studio owner understand the quality of your training. Also be sure to list any affiliations (PMA, ACE, CPR Certification, etc…)

If at all possible, also include some letters of reference. Hearing what your educators or past employers have to say about you is very valuable.

Include contact information for as many of your instructors or references as possible. This tells me that you’re not afraid of my contacting them and that you’re confident in their opinion of you.

I’ll be honest. Most studio owners form 90% of their opinions of an applicant from the first five minute chat. But I also want to see all of the information a resume supplies. A resume will never be the thing that gets you the job, but it is a necessary step that cannot be ignored.

Check back in this category for the next post with some other ideas on things you can do to improve your chances of landing that job.

We hope you found this article helpful! Thoughts? Tell us below!


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