Are you an athlete who feels like they’ve spent no time, or not enough time job hunting?
Also, what exactly is ‘the right amount of time’ when looking for a job? Where do you start when searching for your first full-time job out of school?
I’ve been there. While playing DI ball, I spent most of my time outside of class focusing on my grades, staying eligible, lifting, practicing, watching game film, competing, traveling, etc. The list goes on.
When it was time to graduate, I had to fast-track my job search to find a role where I could pay bills, get health insurance, and figure out what I wanted to do in life.
***Before I jump into career planning overview for athletes, I need to point out that every athlete reading this should NOT feel that being an athlete has put you at a DISADVANTAGE when job hunting. There are so many former athletes who have made the transition into the working world, have figured it out, and have THRIVED. You will, too.
Here are five ways athletes can start career planning before they graduate from school
Career Planning for Athletes
1. Tap into your network. Athletes can begin networking at any time (I wish I had started this process while in college). I’d say the best time to start would be late junior year/early senior year. This doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time: reaching out to 5 contacts each month means you’re connecting with 60 people a year!
Athletes already have a network that is prime for them to tap into: former coaches, former teammates, alumni of the school you attend, parents, and friends of your parents. There are so many people who want to help and provide you with an opportunity to succeed after sports.
2. Work smart, not just hard. I’m not a hiring manager, but I feel like my applications had a better chance of being seen when I included a cover letter. Take the time to apply for jobs by letting a company know why you’re the right fit for the job. If this means writing a cover letter or emailing the hiring manager directly, do it. Good job opportunities are worth making the time to apply for.
3. Request informational interviews. Getting your first job might be tough- it took me about three months to find a part time job after my summer internship ended… and that felt like forever!
One thing I would change about my approach to job hunting after graduation would have been to ask for informational interviews. An informational interview is a meeting you set up to learn about the real-life experience of someone working in an organization or company. These meetings are great because they can be short, like 15-20 minutes, and you can learn about the day-to-day tasks of somebody in the role. Best of all, you can also get a behind the scenes look at the type of work you could enjoy or (not enjoy) doing when speaking to someone directly.
Taking the initiative can help you in more ways than one. Later in my career, I’ve had informational interviews that have turned into amazing job opportunities.
4. Volunteer. When you need to get paid, volunteering may not be the direction you’re thinking about, but volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while helping to build your contacts. I’ve seen great connections happen while students were volunteering, so if the job hunt is taking longer than you’d like, look into opportunities where you can give back to your community.
5. Keep grinding. Applying for jobs is an exhausting process. I remember summer after I graduated I was applying for dozens of jobs each day, and rarely hearing back from anyone. It can be an exhausting, stressful and anxiety-driven process.
Whatever you do, don’t give up or settle because things are tough. Athletes have the grit needed to get through tough times, and getting your foot in the door at your first job might be one of those really tough moments. Keep grinding because the next role you apply for might lead to your dream job.