The writers of TSR are please to introduce the KEYWORD BOX. The Keyword Box is placed to assist those Sports Industry job seekers who place their Resume/CV and Cover Letters on various online recruitment sites.

What we do is analyze the most frequently posted job descriptions of Sports Industry employers. Next we look at what the employers are looking for in a potential employee and what goals the position will provide to the organization.

Last, we document the most “beneficial” terms one should use on his/her Resume/CV when applying for that particular position. Only a small percentage of candidates will be able to use every term. However, we place as many terms as possible to encompass the various backgrounds of candidates.  TSR is here to cultivate the candidates experiences and tailor the Resume/CV to match at least the minimal requirements necessary for the particular position.

The location of Keywords will help those employers using the “Resume/CV electronic scan-method” to locate you. The goal is to give you an advantage when placing your credentials amongst  the millions of candidates seeking Sports Industry employment.

TSR will place a new position in the KEYWORD BOX daily.

“The profile should support your career target; yet unlike an objective, it should identify with the employer’s needs rather than your wants.”

Louis M. Kursmark, Sales & Marketing Resumes for $100,000 Careers

TSR staff recently reviewed the resumes of approximately 4 individuals seeking employment in the Sports Industry. Each resume contained an Objective Statement by the candidate. We eventually removed the Objective Statement as none clarified how their candidacy would add value to the employer.

The Objective Statement is now looked upon as outdated. The Objective Statement of most job-seekers are very self-centered with no employer focus. The statement usually describes the candidates future goals and aspirations. They do not convey how the candidate will fill the needs of the employer, where such need are conveyed through the description in the  job posting.

Employment candidates should instead use a Profile or Statement of Goals (both relative to the current position) in lieu of the Objective Statement. Either option should be job-focused, displaying how current skills and previous experiences will bring value to the employer. The Profile or Statement of Goals should not include a candidates future aspirations or need for “other opportunities.”  This can come across as a sign of instability as well. 

Remember, every part of the resume should somehow focus on the employer’s needs and not the individual goals of the candidate. 

Also, use as many BUZZWORDS as possible when writing either statement.

IMPORTANT: A resume is different than a personal statement used when applying for graduate school admissions. The personal statement is the “selfish” document, listing what YOU want to accomplish. The resume should be used for the needs of the employer.

-noun.  a word or phrase, often sounding authoritative or technical, that is a vogue term in a particular profession, field of study, popular culture, etc.

Random House Dictionary

Buzzwords are very important for today’s Sports Job seeker. With the proliferation of Sports employment websites, the shortage of opportunities, and the large number of applicants, having the appropriate Buzzwords on the resume will provide a needed advantage.

Online employment databases contain hundreds, if not thousands of resumes. With such large numbers, hiring managers use electronic scanning methods to locate the resume containing the most “relevant” terminology applicable for the particular job opening. The resumes containing the greatest number of relevant words and terms will receive the most attention. Relevant words and terms include but are not limited to the Undergraduate Major/Minor course of study. 

Your duty as a job candidate is to read and analyze the job description and tailor the resume accordingly. Anyone reading this blog story should know what a synonym is. If the job description contains terms not specifically listed on your resume but having similar meanings, then make the necessary adjustments on the resume. 

Look at a few BUZZWORDS one could use for this position:

INSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE (Ticket Sales) - Cold Calling, Prospecting, Customer Sales/Service, Communication and Interpersonal skills, Attention to detail, Proactive, Negotiating, Presentation skills, Industry knowledge, Flexibility (work hours), New Business (ability to generate new business), Multi-task, Up-sell, Cross-sell, Sales goals (monthly, weekly).