It is the time of year for new beginnings- many high school seniors prepare for college and commencement ceremonies on college campuses across the country turn out graduates about to embark on their professional careers. Thousands in both situations have aspirations to work in sports business. The allure of being associated with sports is strong. The challenge is that it attracts a great deal of competition from others chasing the same goal.
Given this scenario, what can a person do to differentiate himself or herself to get ahead at the outset of the next stage of their life? For answers to this question, I asked some sports business professionals to share advice to new graduates. Specifically, the question I posed to them was:
What advice do
you have for new graduates looking to land their first professional job on how
they can stand out to a prospective employer?
Six professionals holding various roles and at different points in their careers weighed in; consider it their gift to the Class of 2015. Three themes emerged from their advice: Connect with people, be willing to take extra steps that others will not take, and be passionate about what you do.
Connect
Be a sponge. Come in excited about the opportunity and show
your new employer that you are willing to learn everything you possibly can
early on. Dedicate yourself to whatever the position may be, ask meaningful
questions, and pick up new information wherever you can.
Also, be proactive in meeting the people you will be working
with. Building relationships with these people early on will go a long way with
employers, as they will see that you can work with others and can be a part of
the team.
Eric Yost, Corporate Account Manager, Sacramento Kings
I would suggest young adults
seeking their first job in sports is to use the resources that have a
connection with other people in the sports industry (example: teachers,
professors, family members, intern bosses, etc.). I was told when I interned
for the Nashville Sports Council to get your resume to the top of the pile for
the job is to use the people you have worked for to help you. When you are
applying for a job, you are not the only one applying, most of the time you are
competing against thousands of other individuals some with more experience than
you, so think "how can I beat those other people out?"
Mickey Hock, Supervisor of Ticket Sales, Nashville Predators
Take the Extra Step
When you are looking to stand
out to a prospective employer, do not discount the little things. Spend as much
time working on the details as you do the "big ticket" items like
your resume. What can kill a potential candidate are things like poorly written
e-mails, bad non-verbal communication, or not being prepared for an interview.
Those that spend as much time on the details as anything else are the ones that
really stand out.
Mac Maddox, Manager of Group
& Season Ticket Sales, Oklahoma City Thunder
I receive several unsolicited
resumes and cover letters to the companies general email address daily. Among
those applications I rarely receive one that doesn't look generic. I like to
see that an applicant has done their homework to learn a little about our
company and about the person they are directing the application to.
Beyond that I would recommend picking up the phone and making a phone call. Most companies have bios online or a LinkedIn profile. While I have received literally hundreds of applications I can count on one hand the number of phone calls that I have received about job inquiries.
Beyond that I would recommend picking up the phone and making a phone call. Most companies have bios online or a LinkedIn profile. While I have received literally hundreds of applications I can count on one hand the number of phone calls that I have received about job inquiries.
Brandon Vonderharr, Partner, Alliance Sports Marketing
If you know the specific industry that you want to be in,
volunteer as much as you can at their events if possible. If that is not
possible do your homework and find out all of the major players in the business
or industry. Reach out to them with a written note to share with them
your interest in getting a job in their industry or business. Connect with them
via LinkedIn. See if you can set up a face to face meeting or call with
someone on the staff that is doing the hiring to learn more about the
position. Try to stay in touch with that person (not pester) but once
every quarter reach out to see if there is any positions coming down the
pipe. One or all of these might be the one thing that you need to be top
of mind when they see your resume come across their desk.
Jason Capel, Regional Manager, Learfield Sports
Passion
I would tell any graduate to
find a job you'll be passionate about. You need to have fun in your job. But no
job is perfect. You will see, just like a sports team locker room, every
employer has highly paid personnel and average paid members. There will be
bickering. Regardless, it is YOU that DRIVES your CAR and it is the DRIVE in
YOU that fills up your SUCCESS TANK each and every day.
When finding that first job, it is most important to be surrounded by caring people that are willing to teach and guide you. It's crazy to say this but learning the ropes the right way from the beginning is a "Foundation" that will serve you all throughout your career. There is a reason why many sports teams like to hire away assistant coaches from the New England Patriots, Duke University Basketball, Alabama College Football, San Antonio Spurs, St. Louis Cardinals. It's called "Bloodlines!" Everyone knows in the industry that these members were taught the right way!
When finding that first job, it is most important to be surrounded by caring people that are willing to teach and guide you. It's crazy to say this but learning the ropes the right way from the beginning is a "Foundation" that will serve you all throughout your career. There is a reason why many sports teams like to hire away assistant coaches from the New England Patriots, Duke University Basketball, Alabama College Football, San Antonio Spurs, St. Louis Cardinals. It's called "Bloodlines!" Everyone knows in the industry that these members were taught the right way!
When going into that first
job, try to bring ideas and solutions to correct a problem! Separate yourself
from the competition and even from your colleagues. Also be the best person
ever when it comes to "Communications and Follow Thru." NEVER EVER
LET YOUR SUPERVISOR COME TO YOU AND ASK FOR A FOLLOW UP ON A PREVIOUS TASK. You
lose "Equity Points" that can be hard to regain back.
Jim Loria, Director of Corporate Sales, Sioux Falls Storm
There's More
This post is the first in a two-post series on starting a career in sports business. In the next post, Eric, Mickey, Mac, Brandon, Jason, and Jim share what they wish they had known at the beginning of their careers that they know now.
Image Credit: Flickr- L.
