The 2011 Career Fair and Coach Clinic season has arrived. These events generate over 500 + in attendance, requiring an attendance fee as well. Some participants attend for the learning experience but most are present to seek an advantage in securing a Sports-Industry employment position.

With so many in attendance, how would you be remembered by “decision makers?”

1st, get the contact information (including email) of those you communicate with. Generate a meaningful conversation, where you ask more about the company’s or departments needs rather than discussing what you have to offer. This approach will provide pertinent information  you will use with follow-up letters. These letters should discuss HOW you meet the entity’s needs.

2nd, at the conclusion of the event mail a form letter to your contact(s). The content of the letter should discuss the subject of the conversation (To refresh memories) and how your qualifications address the needs of the organization. Most important, attach a SportsResume mini with this letter (Yes, this is a sales pitch, but your goal is to secure employment and not build a library of unnecessary contacts).

3rd, attempt to find out who will be in attendance (Speakers, HR Managers). Prior to the event contact these individuals by sending an introduction letter. The contents of the letter should contain your contact information, list of specialities and areas of expertise. Conclude by asking for a phone conversation prior to the event. 

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Instead of a business card, use the SportsResume mini as a calling card or method of contact. The Business Card contact method is old and outdated. Business cards are too small to contain accomplishments and achievements and provided nothing more than fancy logos and contact addresses.

Remember, as a candidate your goal is to secure employment.

Below is a message from an attendee at one of the annual PBEO Career Fairs. 

Newbie Offline Posts: 3

Re: PBEO Baseball Job Fair « Reply #6 on: August 19, 2009, 07:09:55 PM »   If you want to attend for the sake of being a part of the Winter Meetings spectacle, that’s one reason to go.  But the PBEO Job Fair itself is not necessarily worth your money, factoring in the airfare, hotel, membership fee and entry fee.  Most MiLB teams post their openings online (for free) with their official job posting site TeamWorkOnline.com.  It is rare that PBEO.com will have a job listing that is not already on TeamWork.  (It’s not in the team’s best interest when seeking qualified candidates to limit their search to only those paying PBEO dues.) If you’ve got the money, here are some benefits of attending the fair: -Meeting others looking for jobs in the industry -You MIGHT get a face-to-face interview -Cal Ripken, Jr. may be eating lunch in the hotel next to you. -You can say you were there when a big trade or signing occurs Asside from that there’s little advantage to spending the money required to get there and attend.  But if you do go, don’t forget your resume and work samples.

“Job descriptions are virtually the same. A Software Tester for Microsoft has the same duties and responsibilities as a Software Tester for Google, APPLE, Oracle, etc………..”

TSR Staff

Attention Sports-Industry Job seekers: 

There are virtually no available employment opportunities that have not been around for a while (Exception: Mobile Application Developer). This means that the position you are applying for and the one you currently have are not new to the labor market. We say this so that as a candidate you recognize the need for more on your Resume/CV to distinguish you from the competition.

For example as a hypothetical, TeamWorkOnline.com has a position listed for a Director of Sales position for the Washington Redskins. There are 4 candidates who intend to apply. Each candidate is also the Director of Sales for their current employer. In viewing their Resume/CV any Hiring Manager would expect to see the following job duties and responsibilities: Managed a team of ” ” Sales Representatives, Responsible for the ” ” territory, Provided training and coaching, etc…… The point we are making is that nothing listed above would distinguish them.

However, the fortunate candidate to get the position will be the one who provides more detail. This individual will include the specific dollar amount of sales his team generated, the % of increase in sales from a prior quarter, top performance/performer accolades, new business generated, amount of his/her responsible budget, etc….

These additional characteristics will distinguish the successful candidate from his competitors. 

Many people look at the Resume/CV as a document used for making a “normal” job description sound the more articulate. This is the wrong attitude to take when conducting a job search. The job description for any position listed on your Resume/CV should be no more than 2 sentences. The description will then be followed by as many bullet points to reflect “specific” Results and Accomplishments. This information is critical and may be the determining factor if you are one who has received no callbacks or inquiries from recruiters where your Resume/CV is located on an online Sports Employment site.

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.