“Job descriptions are virtually the same. A Software Tester for Microsoft has the same duties and responsibilities as a Software Tester for Google, APPLE, Oracle, etc………..”

TSR Staff

Attention Sports-Industry Job seekers: 

There are virtually no available employment opportunities that have not been around for a while (Exception: Mobile Application Developer). This means that the position you are applying for and the one you currently have are not new to the labor market. We say this so that as a candidate you recognize the need for more on your Resume/CV to distinguish you from the competition.

For example as a hypothetical, TeamWorkOnline.com has a position listed for a Director of Sales position for the Washington Redskins. There are 4 candidates who intend to apply. Each candidate is also the Director of Sales for their current employer. In viewing their Resume/CV any Hiring Manager would expect to see the following job duties and responsibilities: Managed a team of ” ” Sales Representatives, Responsible for the ” ” territory, Provided training and coaching, etc…… The point we are making is that nothing listed above would distinguish them.

However, the fortunate candidate to get the position will be the one who provides more detail. This individual will include the specific dollar amount of sales his team generated, the % of increase in sales from a prior quarter, top performance/performer accolades, new business generated, amount of his/her responsible budget, etc….

These additional characteristics will distinguish the successful candidate from his competitors. 

Many people look at the Resume/CV as a document used for making a “normal” job description sound the more articulate. This is the wrong attitude to take when conducting a job search. The job description for any position listed on your Resume/CV should be no more than 2 sentences. The description will then be followed by as many bullet points to reflect “specific” Results and Accomplishments. This information is critical and may be the determining factor if you are one who has received no callbacks or inquiries from recruiters where your Resume/CV is located on an online Sports Employment site.

“Your focus should be in promoting team RESULTS and not the individual achievements of your players. This is the time to be selfish and not a team-player.”

TSR Staff

We have had the opportunity to review the resumes of college coaches. The pattern we noticed is that most coaches over-emphasize the individual achievements of their players. There is little focus on how the coach themselves contributed to the player achievements.

The proper way to structure a Coach Resume is by documenting TEAM RESULTS over individual player accomplishments. For example, this is how I would write a portion of Ken Norton, Jr.’s resume (former linebackers coach for USC  now with the Seattle Seahawks).

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Assistant Coach (Linebackers)

- Responsibilities included the teaching of defensive pass-coverage schemes in preparation for upcoming opponents.

- Coordinated daily practice sessions to mimic game-day scenarios.

- Evaluated the weekly performance of all players. Made personnel adjustments as necessary based on these evaluations.

RESULTS:     2007 Football Season

                             Point Allowed (Ranked 3rd nationally).

                             Pass Defense (Ranked 2nd nationally).

                             Accolades (Three 1st Team All-American honorees, “Butkus” award recipient)                                                  

This is just a preliminary example as how a coach should structure his resume. You will notice we mentioned nothing about Brian Cushing, Ray Maualuga, or Clay Matthews, Jr or their personal achievements (All former USC linebackers). What we did was document the accomplishments of the defense as a whole which illustrates the abilities of the coaching staff. Player accomplishments should be used by the player individually and not the coach.

DISCLAIMER: The above description of the “Linebacker Coach” position is preliminary. We will always contact the customer when clarification of previous employment experiences is warranted.

 If your resume is not professionally done, highlighting your strengths and background, then you will get passed over.

- Drew Young, Director of Premium Sales, Philadelphia Eagles

Two of the most improperly used terms in resume writing (Results and Achievements). Do you know the difference between the two?

RESULTS: This term should be used when documenting the outcome of the implementation of a process, procedure, program, etc.. and normally connected with an organization.  Upper-Level Managers and Executives use the term when describing the success of or the performance of the implementation of specified programs and policies.

EX.CEO’s give quarterly earnings RESULTS of the companies they manage. Sales Managers give the results of specific territories.  Both provide results of the sale of a new product or service.

ACHIEVEMENTS: This term is personal in nature. It reflects individual accomplishments.

EX. An employee earning Salesman of the Quarter or Top Producer.  Also, athletic accolades are considered ACHIEVEMENTS.

When developing your Resume or CV be sure to make the distinction between the two terms. However, inappropriately using either word will probably not remove your candidacy for employment. This note is for informational purposes.