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 TSR staff will analyze the National pundit rationale in recommending all Sports-Industry job seekers make “Networking” an essential part of the employment search. Most Sports-Industry job consultants promote Networking as a zero-sum game, that without utilizing this method the chance of landing a job (specifically one with a Professional Sports franchise) are extremely narrow.

Networking is important. However, we do not feel as though it should receive a great deal of attention. Networking has its limitations. 

TeamWorkOnline.com: TeamWork is arguably the best online recruitment site for job opportunities with Pro-Sports franchises and related entities. There are no membership or access fees for job seekers. However, all participating companies license TeamWork’s technology which resides on the organizations website. Thetechnology posts new jobs on TeamWork’s site immediately after the team (or related entity) releases the information.

Which begs the question, why would an organization “pay” to list employment opportunities if networking was the best method in recruitment. Remember, most sports organizations, including the individual teams are private institutions. There is no obligation to publish these job opportunities and make the information available to the public. This is the total opposite to those receiving government funding whom must post all employment openings.

This is why we question the importance of Networking. It seems obvious these organizations are looking outside of the “inner-circle” for the best candidates. Otherwise why pay to post available opportunities, executive and entry-level positions.

The best method to Network is in writing a very seductive Cover Letter. Remember, as a job seeker your goal is to express “how” you will benefit the potential employer while fulfilling the obligations listed in the job description. Also, if you do not know the Hiring Manager or the individual to whom the Cover Letter will be addressed, research and mention something about them (or the organization), an accomplishment or achievement, in the opening paragraph. This will definitely help your candidacy.

“70% of 2009 graduates did not have a job in place at commencement time……”

Lauren Lea, ’09 Intern, Black Enterprise Magazine

This is definitely an eye opening statement for the upcoming class of 2010. The current job market is nearly identical to where it was at this time last year.

The March Madness tournament is probably the most “unproductive” time of the year according to employers. This is no surprise. The games are very exciting. Most fans tune in to view a Cinderella upset one of the tournament favorites. 

When the tournament concludes most college seniors will be looking for employment opportunities. They may be the slackers (TIME), but it may be quite a large number. Job seekers will outnumber the availability of open opportunities. 

On April 5, 2010 the MADNESS ends. Sports Industry employers will see an increase in job applications,including unsolicited resume and cover letters. The question for all college seniors is whether you are prepared for the end of the MADNESS?

The Sports Industry is not immune from the state of the general economy. May sure you are well informed and prepared. CNBC does an outstanding job analyzing the economy by state employment numbers. CNBC publishes the names of the states that added jobs and computing also the number of unemployment claims for others.

Be productive and efficient in the job search

TSR Staff

-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).