Our software partner Résunate, continues to provide important information for candidates seeking Sports Industry employment opportunities. This submission was prepared by Kat Krull, the Marketing Manager for Careerimp Inc.

NOTE: Join us, The Sports Résume and Résunate on Tuesday 2.7.12 from 8-9PM for a chat discussing what content should be present on the Résume of a Sports Industry employment candidate: http://twebevent.com/MyCR. We look forward to your presence and do invite any friends and associates.

Remember to use the FREE Résunate software platform to receive your Résume/CV/Job Description analysis. Your goal should be in planning a strategy for integrating an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

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Many colleges and universities offer sports management degrees for students dreaming to work for ESPN or becoming major sports talents managers. A once seemingly recession proof market, has now seen a decline. There have been several job cuts within the sports industry across every sport.

As Real Clear Sports found in an interview last year with Chuck Todd, NBC political director and a man with years of sports media industry experience, that there are some sports that will survive better than others. Football looks the most solid avenue, but there are others that may be good to look at as well such as college sports positions.

With that said, the sports industry has become more competitive. An employment candidate will need to stand out from the competition. How? Let’s look at some tactics:

Figure out what types of jobs you want within the sports industry. The best way to be proactive in doing this is to look at all types of jobs within the industry and hone in on those making the best connection.

Familiarize yourself with what exactly it entails to be a marketing coordinator, general manager, or a group sales manager so you understand what will be expected of you on a daily basis. You will be most if you correctly match your skill set, wants and desires to the internship or job you set forth to obtain.

Network often. Building a great network is really a time tested means of getting the desired position. Get to know people in the industry by joining social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and by following various sports blogs. Don’t be afraid to comment on things that you are knowledgeable about and mark your calendar for events advertised through these mediums.

Thoroughly educate yourself about the desired job sector. Any sports statistic, news article, and other helpful information can be accessed so find them! This is also a great way to figure out what parts of the industry interest you the most. Furthermore, if you are conducting research, you will also gain an understanding of how the sports industry works.

Secure an internship to get your foot in the door. Most sports management degrees end with an internship so choose well and make the most of it. Internships.com says that if you are going to succeed in the world of sports you must have some hands on training and it is a great way to meet and train with real industry professionals and identify different opportunities that are available to you. You will start building your network of people in the industry which is a vital part of sports industry survival. Hopefully you are in a position to secure an internship out of or during college to give yourself the best chance.

Write a cover letter and Résumé that reflects your passion and core competencies. If you were able to complete an internship, you probably recognized your strengths and weaknesses. Use your strengths to define your core competencies on your Résumé. It is important to convey what value you can add to the organization through your cover letter and Résumé. Résunate can help you create a tailored and powerful Résumé. Always have a 3rd party review the finished product. Then start self-marketing.

Are you ready for a sports career? Do you have some other great ways to get into the sports industry?

This summary is provided courtesy of Kat Krull, Marketing Manager with Careerimp [Parent Company of Résunate].
Also, all candidates should register for a FREE Premium Account courtesy of Résunate and The Sports Résumé:
http://get.resunate.com/thesportsresume

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The sports industry is highly competitive. Your resume needs to be on target and stand out from the competition. How can you do that? Listed below are four tips designed to help get your a second look from your dream employer.

1. Make sure your resume includes relevant content. Employers in your desired industry receive many resumes a day that they only have time for a quick scan. It’s your job to provide relevant and focused information. If you are having a hard time editing, use Resunate to focus your resume for the specific job description.

2. Define what makes your resume unique. A lot of people want a job in the Sports Industry; Come up with a theme which makes your resume stand out. If possible, highlight any experiences and skills that show why you are the most qualified applicant. Comparing your resume against the job description also ensures that you show employers HOW you meet their specific criteria.

3. Display your passion for Sports Industry. While you might be super qualified for a position (and that’s great), other candidates may have similar experiences, making them just as qualified. If you showcase personal achievements and use words/terms that show your excitement for the job, your resume will make an impact.

4. Focus on the content and not format. Your resume will be run through an applicant tracking system (ATS) before it reaches the employer’s desk. If it doesn’t include the necessary keywords, experiences, and skills that the employer is looking for, your resume may never make it out of the system.

To combat the applicant tracking system, you should focus your resume to the job description. Also, pay close attention to the format — take control of how your resume will be processed by paying attention to detail. Stick to a simpler format, an employer’s ATS will be able to scan your resume accurately and completely.

How do you plan on setting yourself apart from the competition in this competitive industry?

The TSR staff wants to reiterate the importance and purpose of the KEYWORDS Box. This feature is here to ensure candidates are aware of the most relevant “industry” terms related to a specific job description. Potential employers look for certain words and terms on the Resume/CV as a measurement of the candidates knowledge of and awareness of the responsibilities associated with the position.

If there is no obvious connection between the candidate and the job description and responsibilities, one should not attempt to create a nexus by randomly listing relevant keywords throughout the Resume/CV. Such behavior is unethical and dishonest. Also, this behavior which displays a lack of knowledge will be exposed either during the interview or later as an employee.

The TSR staff wants to instill integrity in each candidate or web visitor using our services.  When preparing a Resume/CV or Cover Letter, we can only match keywords with what lies in the candidates previous work and educational experiences. Our mission is to develop (if possible) a relationship between the candidate, the job requirements, and the potential employer. If such a relationship cannot be created, TSR will not attempt to fabricate one.

We remind you that a lack certain background experiences does not disqualify a candidacy. Having a specific educational discipline will many times compensate for a lack of experience.

“Sports, it’s more than just excitement and fun. There is a business component involved.”

TSR Staff

This is written to assist those at the final step of the hiring process, the interview. During the interview, expect the interviewer to ask questions where the answers are found in your Resume/CV. At the conclusion of the interview comes the popular closing query, “Do you have any questions for us?”

To stand out amongst the other interviewees, your competition, take the interview to a place the interviewer would not expect you to go. Appear to be more than just a thrill-seeker looking to work in the glamorized Sports Industry. Interviewers are aware of the great demand for the employment opportunities their companies promote to the general public. This means that you have to be exceptional and be unique.

Know more about the position than the words posted in the job description. Understand the “health” or “sickness” of the industry the company is grouped in. Be familiar with the competitors, their products, and how they operate. Do you have ideas for a Mobile solution the company can undertake? Use your creative mind to suggest products and services the company should offer in the near future. If you come prepared to discuss that above then you will show your potential employer an awareness of INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE.

Industry Knowledge is critical. Most employees are now expected to add more to their positions and the company than that contained in the job description. The depth of knowledge of its employees is extremely important to the growth and survival of a company. It allows the company to time trends in the market and successfully adapt. 

Extensive knowledge of the industry will also allow you to control the interview. Your grasp of Industry Knowledge should make your Resume/CV will rise to the top of the competitive pile. However, remember not to come across as arrogant but insightful.

The best source of the business side of the Sports Industry (Industry Knowledge) is the Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal. This magazine is published weekly. It provides in depth analysis of Labor, Sponsorships, Finance, and other issues related to the business side of the Sports Industry.  Use this publication to add to the Value proposition you will provide during the interview.