Have you always dreamed of working in the sports industry?
While this thriving sector is more competitive than ever before, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find your ideal position in the world of sports.
In fact, there has never been a more exciting time to work in sports, with the emergence of new technologies and society’s increasing interest in health and fitness.
So, how do you go about getting a job in sports?
From setting clear career goals, to gaining experience, to choosing the right job for your skillset, keep reading to find out how you can get your dream job in sports. Sooner rather than later!
Think about what you want
Before you even start applying for jobs, you need to think very carefully about what you want from your career in sports.
Do you want to become a coach for a high school football team? Would you prefer to work in sports marketing? Or maybe you love working with numbers, which in that case, you should learn how to become a sports statistician.
The sports industry is so diverse that you need to narrow down your goals so that you can take the right steps to land your perfect job. Otherwise, you may find yourself drifting from one low-paid and unfulfilling job to another.
If you are not sure what you want, then you might want to consider the below questions:
- How much do you want to earn?
- Are you willing to pursue further education?
- What experience do you already have?
- Are you willing to travel or relocate?
By answering the above, you should be able to gain a clearer picture of what you want and what you are willing to do to achieve it.
Gain the necessary experience
As mentioned earlier, the sports industry is highly competitive, and it is often a case of not what you know but who you know.
The beauty of gaining experience in your chosen field is that you can not only learn new skills, but you can also meet people who already work in the industry. By networking and building up your list of contacts, you will be able to find out about job openings before they are officially announced and gain an advantage over other candidates.
If you are not a massive fan of networking, then you may want to try out these networking tips for beginners. Alternatively, you could try networking online first on industry forums and then gradually work up to face-to-face events such as conferences.
Pursue further education
Many jobs within the sports industry require some form of degree or certification. For example, if you want to work in sports management, you will need to pursue a sports management degree.
If you are currently working and you are not sure how you would juggle your studies and your current employment, you should know that there are many online degree programs available.
These can be undertaken full or part-time and allow you to study around your current commitments such as work and family. You can complete your course from the comfort of your own home without any need to attend campus or meet your tutors face-to-face.
Alternatively, if you do not want to go back to school, you might be better off looking to gain experience through sports internship programs or applying for entry-level positions within the industry and gradually working your way up.
Follow the industry
The world of sports is constantly changing, with new players, new technologies, and new trends emerging every day. Therefore, if you are serious about being a success in sports, you need to make sure that you follow the industry.
You need to watch all the sporting networks, follow the top sports blogs and see what is trending in your specific area of interest.
It can also be a good idea to determine how passionate you are about sports. It is not enough to simply love a particular sport. It would be best if you were willing to totally immerse yourself in the sector. You need to embrace camaraderie. Embrace the pursuit of excellence. You also need to embrace the fierce and competitive nature of the industry.
Look for jobs in the right places
There are lots of job sites on the web, but not all of them will help you find your dream job in sports. As a general rule, you should avoid large, generic sites such as Monster and Career Builder, as these will get thousands upon thousands of applicants, and your resume is likely to get lost in a sea of others.
Instead, turn to specific sporting employment sites. That being said, your best chance of finding a good position in sports is still by networking within the industry, as these are where the majority of sporting jobs are filled.
Finetune your resume
Making sure your resume can be found by recruiter technology is a must if you are applying for roles via a job site. You need to make sure that you are using the right keywords that the recruitment software will be searching for. Otherwise, you will never make it to the interview stage.
Avoid generic and over-used phrases such as “good team player” and “great communication skills” and instead, use more direct words such as sales, marketing, and business development.
You also need to ensure that your resume clearly demonstrates your skills and experience rather than just listing your previous job duties. For example, for each attribute you list, provide a specific instance where you showcased this skill. Employers want to see exactly what you have achieved so that they can understand what you can bring to their business.
Finally, and this is the most important thing, don’t sell yourself short. The world of sports is not for the shy and modest. You need to sing your own praises from the rooftop and make people sit up and take notice of you. Otherwise, you will simply be overlooked in favor of other candidates time and time again.
Good luck and happy job hunting!