Google Alerts is a feature which searches the web for any News, Videos, Blog Stories, etc… on a user-submitted topic. The captured results are forwarded to a designated email address. The user can select the frequency for receiving the results (Daily, Weekly, As-it-Happens).

TSR recommends this feature to all Sports Industry employment candidates. Google Alerts will allow you to stay current and informed with all Sports Industry employer news and information, selecting the employer(s) of choice as the submission topic.

During the Interview:

Transform the interview from a question/answer session into a “business conversation.” Let the Hiring Manager(s) know how knowledgeable you are of the current financial state of the company, marketing initiatives, plans for mobile penetration, etc…. This newly acquired knowledge will be provided by the Google Alerts system.

When selecting a company for the search criteria, make sure you place quotation marks outside of the company’s name. This helps to eliminate irrelevant search results. It would also be wise to create an outline, summarizing company news and information related to the specific department where you are seeking employment (If the search results are this specific).

Approach the interview with confidence and not arrogance. Your goal is to show HOW you will be able to assist the company in reaching its goals and not yours. Know what the goals are or develop an intelligent hypothesis as to their future vision and what they are trying to accomplish.

IMPORTANT: You can enter multiple company names within this feature.

GOOGLE ALERTS: http://www.google.com/alerts

When submitting a Cover Letter, it would definitely be helpful to include specific information relating to the Hiring Manager. Include some accomplishment or recent quotation from an interview. This will allow you as the applicant to establish an immediate relationship with this individual. It also shows that you are one who has thoroughly researched the potential employer.

Make sure the information you recite is not too political or controversial. The individual may have been disciplined by the employer for such statements and would probably not want to revisit the situation, nor provide an explanation as to why such statements were made.

Social Networking websites may also be a good source of information (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc..). If you decide to use the Social Web for information, do not sound to invasive. Only document that which is “industry-related.”