New Year’s Goals: Get a Sports Job!

Make Your New Year’s Resolution A Reality with a Job In Sports

New year, new you, right? There’s no better time to find a job in the sports industry. Teams and organizations across the nation are looking for passionate candidates like yourself to fill a multitude of positions, from entry-level sports jobs to administrative and professional ones. And you don’t have to be an athlete to apply for or get the job. Even if you’re a data cruncher, tech geek, or storyteller, there are sports jobs out there just waiting for you.

Stop making resolutions and start living the dream! If you want to work in sports, it’s time to get things in order and begin executing. 

Steps to Getting a Job In Sports

Rock that Resume

There’s no better way to stand out than having an amazing resume. It’s your chance to list your experience and brag about your achievements. To shine a light on what makes you a perfect candidate for the job. However, when building out your resume, there are measures you should take to better the chances of it getting overlooked by recruiters and administration.

• • Make sure it’s up-to-date – Keep a copy on your computer and update it regularly with new experiences and information. Also, make sure it’s not outdated. You don’t want someone to see your resume and question if it was created in 1997. 

• • Don’t get funky with the font – The only time this may be necessary is if you plan on working in a creative industry, and even then, be cautious. Classic always works. 

• • Highlight the good stuff right from the start – Grab the reader’s attention by pointing out all of your biggest accomplishments and experience at the beginning. Don’t make them trudge through the boring stuff. Doing so could cause them to lose interest before they get to know what makes you great. Push chronology aside and wow them right off the bat. 

• Don’t be sloppy – You are selling your brand – and it should be off-brand to have obvious spelling and grammar mistakes. Check it 1, 2, or 3 times. Get your best friend to review it. Even your grandmother. Whatever it takes to make sure it doesn’t get trashed. 

There are several things you can do to make sure your resume Wows, so do your due diligence to ensure you do it right. 

Build Your LinkedIn Profile

At this point, you should know that LinkedIn is not only your online resume but a way to connect and network with industry insiders and others interested in your field of work. If you’re serious about landing the sports job of your dreams, make sure your LinkedIn profile is fully optimized.

According to CultivatedCulture.com, 87% of recruiters leverage LinkedIn to vet new candidates beyond their applications/resumes, proving the social network is a must for job seekers. 

Here are a few tips for building out your LinkedIn profile: 

• • Choose your best photo – Don’t go cheesy. Look professional. Make sure your profile photo clearly shows you’re confident, accomplished, and ready to take on new challenges. 

• • Consider industry-related terms – When building out your summary and experiences, use industry-related terms in your copy. Doing so will allow recruiters who are on the hunt to find you and consider you for positions within their company or organization. 

• • Buzz-off Buzzwords – Innovative, strategic, and driven are all buzzwords and are all played out. And there are many more just like them. You don’t have to be a wordsmith to create an engaging profile. Try to be creative without using boring words that will easily put recruiters to sleep. Chances are, they’ve seen a thousand profiles with those words and will easily pass you by. 

• Request recommendations – You should have connected with people who you’ve worked with – or work with – who will be willing to recommend you on LinkedIn. Reach out and request these regularly, as they’ll help your profile stand out. 

Create Your Free Profile on JobsInSports.com

In case you haven’t heard, JobsInSports.com has launched a new platform. It’s aimed at providing passionate job candidates like yourself a place to post their bio and resume to attract prospective sports job recruiters. Similar to LinkedIn, our platform offers something different – the opportunity to get in front of sports recruiters who are looking for qualified candidates.

How does that help you? With our exclusive service, you get the attention of the people that matter and the industry in which you want to work.

93% of surveyed sports employers have indicated that they are “more likely” or “far more likely” to hire JobsInSports.com members

89% of surveyed sports employers view JobsInSports.com members as “pre-qualified” – a serious, proactive candidate willing to invest in your future within the sports industry.

If you haven’t created your profile with us, start for free today!

Call In the Reinforcements

When it comes to getting a job, everyone needs a little help. That’s why it’s important to have solid references you can defer to when asked or if you need assistance getting in the door. If your references are looking a bit weak, you need to step up your networking game. 

Having trouble meeting new people in the sports industry? Go to conferences, join meet-ups and groups, and take on sports internships and volunteer opportunities. Rub elbows and shake hands with people who are employed and involved in the industry. If you meet someone new who has influence, follow up with a thank you and reach out periodically with a check-in on how they’re doing or a question. 

Apply for the RIGHT Sports Jobs

When it comes to landing a job, it’s important to apply for the right one. There is a never-ending cycle of sports jobs published daily. It’s your job to know if you’re qualified. Here are some things you’ll need to consider:

• Do I have the right experience?

• Do I have the right level of education?

• Am I passionate about this line of work?

• Do I want to travel often, or do I prefer to stay where I am?

• How much does someone in this position make on average?

When it comes to applying for a job you’re serious about, it’s important to plan your career. Ask and answer all of these questions and more. When you do have more concrete answers, start reviewing sports jobs you’re interested in and make a list of those to which you want to apply. Be sure to update your resume accordingly for each one. 

Nail the Interviews

Do not pull a Stepbrothers move and arrive at your interview in a Tuxedo. Be professional. Dress to impress – without overdoing it. Make sure you’re well-groomed and well-prepared – resume in hand and already emailed prior to the interview – and come with a list of questions of your own. And be prompt!

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When you’ve interviewed, be sure to get the contact information of the person who conducted the interview and send a follow-up thank you email. Even if you’re considering not taking the job, every experience is another piece of the bridge you’re building. You never know if you might meet that person again and may need their assistance.

First impressions are everything. 

Don’t Give Up

“I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

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Rejection is just a part of life – but you shouldn’t let it get you down. Some of the best and the brightest in the sports world have been rejected. And they’ve gotten back up, dusted themselves off, and gotten back in the game. You will find the right job for you, and when it happens, it will feel like the biggest win of your career. 

Hit the Ground Running

Now that you know what it takes to land the sports job of your dreams, it’s time to make it happen. Start by ensuring your resume is up-to-date and will attract job recruiters. Build out your social profiles on LinkedIn and JobsInSports.com, and be sure to stay engaged. Start networking right away. If you’re not sure how to do this, start with working an internship, volunteering at a sports organization, or applying for entry-level sports jobs to gain experience and meet new people. Create a career plan and research jobs that interest you to make sure you’re applying for the right ones. Be professional and inquisitive in your interviews – and always follow up. Most importantly, never give up! Rejections may come, but don’t lose sight of your dreams.