Chapter 22

Strategies for Career Success

Myths of Sport Careers: Myth 1Sport management degree is a ticket to success.

– Increased number of sport management programs offered, resulting in increased number of people with similar background looking for jobs

– Increased competition for jobs• There are advantages to a sport management degree

program, however—internship opportunities, ability to build a network, learning of applied sport-related theories and principles.

Myths of Sports Careers: Myth 2It’s not who you know, it’s what you know.

– Actually, it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.

– In the sport industry, people hire someone because of a personal recommendation from someone else.

• Sport managers must expand networks to include all kinds of people.

• It is important to tap into as many useful networks as possible so that you can broaden your contacts and industry knowledge.

Myths of Sports Careers: Myth 3Most opportunities are in pro sports or NCAA Division I

athletic departments.– Number of jobs in professional sport is limited, and

people who get jobs in professional sport tend to stay in their jobs. Also, people already in the industry tend to get “recycled” when positions open up.

– Colleges and universities are currently dealing with economic setbacks that affect the amount of money spent on athletic programs, thus reducing new hiring.

Myths of Sports Careers: Myth 4Sport management jobs are glamorous and exciting.

– Bottom line is that sport managers labor in the background so that others can enjoy the spotlight.

– Typical workweek for an event coordinator is 60 to 70 hours per week, including a lot of late nights and long weekends.

– Work of sport managers is similar to jobs in the corporate world, but they are unique in that they require industry-specific knowledge.

Myths of Sports Careers: Myth 5Sport management jobs pay well.

– In general, salaries – especially starting salaries – tend to be low in the sport industry.

– There are such a high number of applicants for these jobs that salaries can stay low

– Demand for the jobs far outstrips the supply

Finding a JobKnow yourself

– Find a job utilizing your strengths, challenging you where you want to be challenged, and minimizing your frustrations.

Career exploration – Select aspects of the sport industry that are most

interesting to you and begin research. Once you can speak intelligently regarding the field of interest, begin informational interviewing.

Finding a Job (cont.)Gain experience

– Increased experience = Increased marketability. Take advantage of internship opportunities available and gain experience in the industry. Create your own volunteer opportunities.

Job search strategy – Finding a job requires time, energy, and thoughtful

preparation. Decide to make a certain number of phone calls, mail or e-mail a certain number of applications, and/or research particular organizations each week. Keep a journal of your activities.

Informational Interviewing• Expands your understanding of an industry, an

organization, or a particular job or department by speaking to someone who is already there.

• Serves as a foundation for your career while building a strong network base.

• Have your questions prepared before you call in the event the person you are trying to reach is available immediately.

• Ask for suggestions on who else to contact in the industry of interest.

Other Sources of Information

• Professional journals, relevant books, and publications.

• Most industry segments have an association that provides support for the profession. These associations provide valuable connections, current relevant information, and sometimes job postings.

© Utemov Alexey/ShutterStock, Inc.

Marketing Yourself: Resumes

• Present yourself as a colleague, not “just” a student

• Use industry language• Present experience as lens toward career

goal• Convey learning• Quantify whenever appropriate• Assemble a portfolio

Marketing Yourself: Resumes (cont.)Heading• Provide a phone number where you will get messages if

you are not home and a professional e-mail address you regularly check, and that your social media presents an image you want employers to see

Objective• Used to focus your resume.Education• Include all colleges attended; GPA if greater than 3.00;

honors and awards; international/national exchange experience.

Marketing Yourself: Resumes (cont.)Experience• Think in terms of your accomplishments, what you

brought to the organization, and any positive changes resulting from your work there.

Accomplishments• Include major accomplishments demonstrating the

qualities an employer looks for in a potential employee.Skills/Activities• List all appropriate and/or relevant skills and activities.

Marketing Yourself: Cover Letter

• Use the cover letter to enhance the resume, not restate it.

• Each letter should address the specific concerns of the organization to which you are applying.

• Thoroughly research each organization and, after careful analysis, write a letter that demonstrates your value to the prospective employer.

• Adapt your letter for each situation and always be able to offer specific examples to confirm the main points of your experiences.

Marketing Yourself: Interview

Preparation• The more time you spend in preparation, the more

comfortable you will be in the interview; consequently, the greater your opportunity for a successful interaction.

• Take time to assess yourself. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate the person you are, not the person you would like to be.

• Know the organization.

Marketing Yourself: Interview (cont.)

The Interview• Interviewers are looking not just for particular skills,

but also for personal attributes of a successful professional.

• Interviews are limited in time; therefore, it is important to begin appropriately.

• Become familiar with behavioral-type interviewing questions.

• Best predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation.

Marketing Yourself: Interview

Follow-up• Assess the interview.• Write a thank-you note.• Call the interviewer if you

have something to add.• Call the organization if it

hasn’t gotten back to you in the designated time.

© Jeremy Duplass/ShutterStock, Inc.