I’ll admit it- I am somewhat of a nerd when it comes to the job search process. It is sort of like a game…a puzzle, if you will. In today’s economy (whether you are you searching in sports or not), you have to be a smart, proactive, and aggressive job seeker. The “smart” aspect is what I am going to focus on for the purposes of this “random facts” blog. I want you to be a savvier job-seeker.
· Using the Sports Business Journal, review the Executive Transactions and Classifieds sections every day. Try to wrap your head around why a person might be leaving one place for another. Put yourself in their shoes. Aside from personal reasons or more money, why leave team x to go to team y?
· When reading articles, be on the lookout for teams, franchises, or leagues that are experiencing growth/success and decline/failure. If you notice that a team had record profits, they may be hiring. If they are opening up new offices or expanding their headquarters, they may be hiring. If you see that a league is folding (WPS) or is hemorrhaging money, you may not want to apply for a job there.
· Look for those teams that might be going through an ownership change or relocation. Take a look at the 76ers; when their new owners took over in late 2011, they made it clear that they were re-thinking the way that they did things in the past from a business perspective. Since they weren’t under the Comcast Spectacor umbrella, CEO and Co-Owner Adam Aron wanted to implement his own vision. (Read: bring in his own people.)
· Look for a connection or a relationship that might get your foot in the door. Did the Manager of Ticket Sales at the Philadelphia Eagles go to your high school (for me, yes!)? Is there a Drexel alum working at the Philadelphia Phillies (also yes!)? Did your best friend or roommate work for a team that you want to do your Co-op at or work for after graduation?
· When applying for jobs in Teamworkonline.com or any other job board, review the job posting with a fine-tooth comb; try to match up what the description calls for with your resume. Pay attention to keywords and phrases. If there is an HR software in place, it will pick up on them.
· Pay attention to other non-SBJ resources like the ESPN Playbook and MSNBC Sports Biz. Also, non-sports resources like The Wall Street Journal may provide clues that can help in your job search; they periodically will provide intel on a sports franchise from the financial perspective.
Be an educated job seeker and you will be rewarded!
By: Mark Gress
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