Securing a job within the sports industry is very competitive as employers receive at least 200 applications per job opening.
With sports industry companies (i.e. media networks, professional franchises and athletic departments) adopting technology at a fast pace, it’s no surprise that most of the employment positions require candidates to have a proficiency in the use of social media platforms and various computer languages. New jobs requiring either category as a minimum requirement or preferred qualification are posted daily.
Most of the social media-related positions are posted by the professional sports franchises (i.e. San Francisco Giants) and league office headquarters (NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR). The job descriptions are vague, not specific in listing required competencies. This may make it difficult for candidates to conduct self-assessments and determine their qualifications. Listed below is a sample job description (Skills / Qualifications section) from an employer seeking a coordinator for social content.
Skills/Qualifications:
– 1-2 years social or editorial experience, preferably in online medium and in the sports industry.
– Must be willing to work early mornings, nights and/or weekends.
– Bachelor’s degree preferred.
– Strong written and verbal communication skills.
– Strong organizational skills.
– Proven (Employer Name) knowledge that lends itself to sound news and social-worthy judgment.
– Strong computer skills familiarity with electronic communication.
– Some knowledge of Photoshop or social photo applications preferred.
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Jobs with more defined technology compositions are those seeking candidates with specific degree requirements (i.e. Computer Science, Information Systems) and programming language proficiency (i.e. PHP, HTML5, Java, Javascript, CSS, C++). The majority of the employers seeking tech-related talent are the Sports Networks (i.e. ESPN, Fox Sports, SKY Sports) Apparel Manufacturers (i.e. Nike, Under Armour, New Balance, Adidas) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM).
In summary, it appears that sports industry employers will be in competition with the major tech companies in recruiting employees in the near future.