PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Is there anyone else in the region you recommend I talk to in order to learn more about their career path ? Would you be willing to make an introduction ?
DEMONSTRATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PROFESSION Being actively involved in professional organizations and conducting informational interviews are certainly ways to show commitment to your industry and grow your network ; however , you can also utilize social media to do this as well . Through LinkedIn you can connect with industry professionals and engage with their content by liking , commenting and sharing consistently . You also can post your own original content , such as photos from your latest renovation project or a successful event you just executed . Consider sharing industry articles that you find interesting or even writing your own articles to share expertise from your unique experiences . Remember , information related to sports field management is important , but information about crew management , strategic planning , budget forecasting , etc ., is just as relevant to your industry – especially as you progress into more leadership-focused positions .
If you take a lot of photos of your work , you may find that using Twitter or Instagram , in addition to or instead of LinkedIn , may also be beneficial . Sharing before , during and after photos of projects can show off your skills and compel others to engage with your content . A strong , professional social media presence can also help establish you as an industry leader , which can certainly be beneficial when applying for jobs . The more you positively engage with others online , the more familiar they will become with you , which can prove to be very valuable if an opportunity becomes available within the organization where they work .
VOLUNTEER It also may be helpful to look for volunteer experiences within your community . Consider opportunities where your unique skillset would be valuable , such as maintaining the local dog park , volunteering to assist at a PGA Tour event , or serving on the local parks and recreation steering committee . Through these opportunities , you will be able to demonstrate your industry knowledge and grow your network with others in the community who have similar interests . You also never know when a full-time opportunity may become available within the organization with which you volunteer .
BE ACTIVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY Many cities offer free or cost-effective networking groups for young professionals , local businesses , or professional skill building . Although you may initially feel that participating in these organizations would not bring you any value because they are not directly associated with your industry , you do not know who you may meet who has a direct or indirect connection with an organization you may be interested in working in the future . The more you build your network and share what you are looking for in a new opportunity , the more likely you will increase your chances of securing a new position .
FOLLOW UP AFTER YOU SUBMIT Finally , after you effectively tailor your application materials and utilize your network , remember to follow up after you submit an application . This is another proactive action you can take to demonstrate your interest and directly connect with the hiring manager . Within 24 hours of submitting your application , send an email or LinkedIn message to the hiring manager to reiterate your interest and confirm receipt of your application . Then , if you know the application deadline and have not heard back from anyone within the organization , follow up to check in regarding the timeline for selecting candidates for an interview . Again , this will confirm your interest in interviewing for the position .
According to CNBC , 80 % of jobs are filled through networking ( see reference link below ). The more involved you are within the sports field management industry , the more you will demonstrate commitment to your field , grow your network , and establish strong relationships with people who can help you become more than just a piece of paper in a pile of qualified applicants . Be proactive in fostering these relationships and demonstrating your interest in new opportunities , and your job search should result in more positive outcomes . SFM
Erin Wolfram has more than 15 years of experience in career services , and owns and operates Career Advantage Golf ( http :// careeradvantagegolf . com ), specializing in career services for those in the turf management field . She has a podcast called A Year of Career : 52 Practical Answers to Your Questions , where she provides quick career and job search advice . Wolfram has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education , Master of Science in Counseling Psychology , Master of Science in Educational Technology , and is a certified professional etiquette consultant . She can be reached at erin @ careeradvantageresumes . com .
Reference : https :// www . cnbc . com / 2019 / 12 / 27 / how-to-get-a-joboften-comes-down-to-one-elite-personal-asset . html
32 SportsField Management | January 2022 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com