Athletic Training Jobs in Canada

Athletic Training Jobs Overview

Athletic training jobs are all about helping athletes rehabilitate from injuries so they can safely perform at the highest possible level. Duties include everything from applying braces and bandages to implementing comprehensive plans that help prevent illness and injury in athletes and support them to perform to their fullest potential.

If you work at a school and an injury occurs on the field, you'll be among the first healthcare providers to reach the scene. You may then implement a rehabilitation program to help the individual recover. While 40-hour workweeks are common, some workweeks could last 50 to 60 hours when a sport is in season.

However, not all athletic trainers provide medical services to athletes; there are job opportunities in many different settings that don’t always solely relate to sports. Athletic trainers often work in fitness centers as well as hospitals, and physicians' offices.

How to Find Athletic Training Jobs That Fit You

While most athletic training jobs have similar duties, there are differences between positions, which is why you should first focus on defining your career goals and interests. For example, you might prefer athletic training jobs at large universities that offer opportunities for growth. If you want to maintain a strong work-life balance, positions at fitness centers often accommodate more flexible schedules.

Review the Job Description and Assess Your Qualifications

When you find a job listing that interests you, review the details and consider the necessary qualifications. Assess the job requirements and responsibilities to determine if they match your experience.

While some athletic training jobs are available to people with bachelor's degrees, many require a master's degree. Be sure to also review the listing for additional development or training requirements. Many athletic training jobs require special certifications, such as:

• CPR/AED Certification
• First Aid Certification
• Professional licensure

Research the Company and Its Culture

Every company has its own values, mission, and culture. All this information is usually available on the company's website, which makes it easy for you to review.

If you're applying to a college, a quick look at their website should tell you if they view their athletics program as an essential aspect of their school. Look for information about their work environment, reputation, team dynamics, and track record.

Search for Growth Opportunities

When you're applying for an athletic training job, investigate opportunities for advancement and professional growth in the company. For instance, the company you apply to may have positions for head athletic trainers or athletic directors that you can aspire to. Once you determine if the school or hospital provides opportunities for growth and learning, consider whether the job fits into your long-term goals.

How to Apply for Athletic Training Jobs

If you find one or more jobs to apply for, there are certain steps you should take to ensure this process goes smoothly.

Prepare for the Application Process

When you're filling out any application, always emphasize the key responsibilities and expectations you see in the job description. For example, many athletic training positions require applicants to implement athletic training regimes or focus on workplace injury prevention.

Once you understand the necessary qualifications, you can better craft an effective resume that presents you as a top-notch candidate. Be sure to also follow any specific application instructions, which might involve submitting certain documents.

Create an Effective Resume

Getting your foot in the door with a potential employer requires writing an effective resume. Make sure you use resume keywords throughout your application. These words should match the job description's requirements.

When formatting your resume, use the reverse chronological format, which shows your most recent employment before working backward over the past five to 10 years. Along with decision-making ability and interpersonal skills, you should have knowledge of:

• CPR
• rehabilitation
• therapeutic modalities
• injury prevention

Writing a great resume also involves checking your final draft for clarity as well as spelling and grammatical errors.

If you don’t feel that you’re proficient enough in the art of resume writing to do a good job on your own, don’t stress. Use theMonster Professional Resume Writing Serviceto obtain a resume that highlights your skills and experience in a way that’s calculated to help you make a great first impression on the employer you want to work for.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter

You should always pair your resume with a compelling cover letter that effectively introduces the hiring manager or recruiter to you and your resume. It's also an opportunity to make a great first impression. Even if you apply for 10 personal trainer positions, it's important to make every cover letter unique. You should tailor each one to the job and company you're applying to.

Research the school and its athletic program to more effectively customize your cover letter. You should also include your contact information, reason for applying, and any unique qualifications you have.

Submit Your Application

Now that you've completed your resume and cover letter, all that's left is to submit your application. Applying with Monster is a simple process that begins withcreating an account.

Once you sign up, you're able to click the "Apply" button that's available in every job description. Before you submit your application, double-check it for spelling and grammatical errors by reading it aloud and having someone else review it. Make sure you include all relevant information.

How to Follow Up With an Employer

Once you submit your application, you should follow up with the employer to show that you want the job and are taking a proactive approach.

Timing Your Follow-Up

Wait seven to 14 days after submitting your application to follow up with the hiring manager. They need enough time to review your application before you call or send an email.

How to Follow Up

Whether you contact your potential employer by phone or by email, brevity is essential. If you write an email, keep it to three short paragraphs. Any phone call needs to end in five minutes or less. Reiterate your interest in the athletic training job before briefly highlighting your skills, experience, and other qualifications.

Who to Follow Up With

Whether you're applying to a school, fitness center, or hospital, you should follow up with a recruiter, hiring manager, or HR representative. Find the necessary information on the job description or the employer's website. If you can't locate these details, contact the company's HR department or a staff member who might have the knowledge you seek.

Interviewing Tips

Landing an interview tells you that an employer is showing some interest in your resume and believes that you might qualify for the job. However, a successful interview is necessary before the employer makes an offer.

Preparing for the Interview

Brush up on your research about the company and its values before heading into your interview. With this information in hand, you should find it easier to answer any questions the interviewer might ask.

Practice answering common interview questions in front of a mirror or with a friend. If you can confidently answer questions that relate to the job you're applying for when you're at home, this confidence should remain with you during the actual interview.

Interview Process

The interview process you go through depends on the employer and their hiring process. Most companies will hold one to two rounds of interviews.

If there are multiple rounds, your first interview likely takes place by phone or video. The final interview often occurs in person. There's a good chance that the hiring manager or recruiter is the person who conducts the interview. When applying to a smaller school, the principal might host the interview instead.

These jobs often require treating injuries immediately after they occur, which is why most of the questions you receive during an interview should center on your behaviour when specific situations arise. For instance, the interviewer might ask how you'll assess an athlete's injury in the middle of a game.

Interview Tips

You can ace any interview you go on by using the right techniques and knowing what you're talking about. Since athletic training interviews involve behavioural questions, you should use the STAR technique to develop the perfect response. The STAR technique means structuring your answers in the following way.

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

Use relevant examples when you answer these questions. If you have athletic training experience that directly answers a question, draw on it when making your response. Otherwise, refer to similar experiences where you can show transferable skills, or talk about how you would approach that situation based on your training.

During an athletic training interview, wear business casual attire, which includes everything from casual blazers and button-down shirts to khakis and blouses. It's fine to wear athletic attire if you know the interviewer will ask you to perform a physical demonstration of the training approach you take.

Follow Up

Whether you believe that you aced the interview or not, always follow up with your prospective employer. While you should thank them within a day or two, wait five to seven business days before emailing for a status update on your application.

Thank the interviewer for their time before focusing on your interest in the job. Remind them of your qualifications and why you're right for the position. If you don't hear back from your employer after another week goes by, you can follow up one more time.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

Congratulations on getting an offer! Once you have the offer in hand, all that's left is to consider it and make sure it appeals to you. Even if the job sounds great, the pertinent details might not. Before doing anything, however, make sure the employer knows that you appreciate the offer.

How to Respond to the Offer: Timing and Communication

Three core aspects of any job offer include the salary, benefits, and job responsibilities. If you have any questions about these aspects, seek clarification from the hiring manager or recruiter you met during the interview. None of these details should remain unclear at this juncture.

Make an informed decision that's based on your needs and priorities. If you want a strong benefits package that includes a comprehensive healthcare plan, the job offer should detail what’s available to you.

If you're looking to negotiate salary or benefits, do so with a firm but calm demeanor. Know the market value for athletic training jobs before explaining why you believe a higher salary is necessary for your skills and experience.

Possible Career Paths

Decide which career path most interests you by considering your talents and career goals. If lacking a master's degree is holding you back from advancing in your career, consider returning to school to effectively improve your resume.

During the course of your professional life, you should have many opportunities to network and build a strong base of connections with other athletic trainers and sports medicine specialists.

Pay attention to any relevant developments while you're building a career. You might find further opportunities to advance as the industry grows.