The Owner's Corner: The Best Job Post Ever Written?


The Owner's Corner

Helping gym owners achieve sustainable growth

Rethink Your Job Post

The best job ad ever written said nothing about the job.

In 1914, Ernest Shackleton needed a crew to sail to the South Pole.

He could have written: "Sailors needed. Must know how to hoist sails, swab decks, navigate ice waters. 2+ years experience required."

Instead, he wrote: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success."

Legend has it that 5,000 showed up.

He wasn't hiring for skills. He was hiring people who wanted to experience specific emotions: Thrill of adventure, honor, recognition, and pride.

Shackleton made it to Antarctica. His ship got crushed by ice. He kept his entire crew alive for two years in the most hostile environment on Earth.

Not because they knew how to sail.

Because they were the kind of people who showed up for a hazardous journey.

Is being a fitness instructor life and death? No... but then again, maybe. A great instructor could mean getting your clients to delay heart disease, prevent premature injury, or adopt a new life-extending sport pastime. Real talk - what you do matters.

Here's the lesson:

When you write your next job ad, stop listing tasks.

Start describing the person you actually want.


Post a Fitness Job

If you're ready to grow your business, let us help you on the hiring side. We help you find quality talent using our vast fitness network.

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Situations change; maybe it's time for the next adventure. We're small business experts that can help you with the sale of your business. Contact us to learn more about what that entails.

Until next time!

Team Barbell Jobs

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
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