Question: Should you include references on your Résumé?

That depends on the candidate and the position he/she is seeking. Most Résumé service providers (Including those at The Sports Resume, www.thesportsresume.com) advise against listing references on a Résumé. The reason is that references could waste necessary space. However, there is an exception to this theory.

COACHES: A coach or candidate for a coaching position should include references on his/her Résumé. The reason is due to the niche characteristic of the coaching profession. Most coaches either know or have heard of one another, athletic directors included. This is a very small community.

Many interview requests are initiated by phone calls to an athletic department (Often before a position is publicly listed). A job offer and acceptance can occur within days in the coaching employment environment. Therefore, references play a critical part. A candidate’s reference list choices can enhance his/her chances of securing a position (Résumé information, including a win/loss record is equally important).

Other (Industry Candidates): References are not required and should be omitted. Outside of coaching, the Sports-Industry employment environment is extremely large and global. Therefore, many hiring managers will probably not know one another. References are usually provided by the candidate at the potential employer’s request.

Be selective when listing references on your Résumé. Keep in mind that an employer can look for and seek Backdoor References as well.

The TSR staff is speculating with this statement, but we believe it is the natural tendency of Sports-Industry employment candidates to seek opportunities at the professional sports teams first. There is nothing wrong with looking to these organizations. We would advise all to look “beyond” these entities and utilize a broader approach.

There are countless opportunities available to work in sports. This includes but is not limited to the Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), Concessionaires, Sports Marketing/Management companies, and even Technology companies. The competition for placement with these organizations is about the same as that for the pro-sports teams. However, the candidate will receive a broader employment experience. This is because most of these companies do not operate exclusively within the U.S. or the Sports Industry.

 A few examples include:

StubHub (www.stubhub.com)- – Summer Internship

Ellerbe Becket (www.ellerbebecket.com) – Interior Designer

Legends Hospitality Management (www.legendshm.com ) – IT Manager

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia (www.csnphilly.com) – Marketing Internship

To college students: The best time to look for summer internships is during the fall semester. Most organizations accept applications in the fall, conduct interviews in the spring, then make decisions for the summer placement. With the current state of the U.S. economy, it may be difficult to find “paid” opportunities. Do not let this discourage you. Remember, your goal is to get the necessary experience to move you ahead of other candidates when applying for permanent positions upon graduation.

The ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) will be conducting a Ticket Sales Job Fair on June 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This Job Fair is by invitation only and the following positions will be available for hire: Sales Representative and Ticket Sales Manager.

The ECHL will be selective in granting invitations for participation. However, the invitation is only the 1st step. Once invited, the applicants must then go through the interview stage.

TSR suggests to those planning to submit a Resume for consideration is to first “study” the requisite job descriptions. Here you will see what management seeks in qualified candidates and the related job responsibilities. Make certain these positions are ones you desire to pursue.

ECHL Job Fair Preparation Tips:

Study the history of the ECHL and its Member Organizations

Resume should contain at a minimum “5″ relevant Keywords relating to the available job descriptions Note: The Keywords will be available from your previous employment history

Prepare at least “2″ questions to ask the interviewer if the opportunity presents itself

Have a 3rd party review and analyze your Resume prior to submission

TSR wishes all potential candidates success at this event. We will participate and have a booth. Feel free to stop by and get additional feedback and helpful tips. Also, read the previous blog postings for additional advice and information. Enclosed is the Job Fair URL: http://echl.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=28567