1	How to make yourself a “Cut above the rest: The transition from a student to a professional Presented by: Kevin George Co-Presenter: Laurie Dwyer Assistant Director – Intramurals Assistant Director – Fitness 856-256-4927 georgek@rowan.edu 856-256-4903 whipple@rowan.edu
2	Recreational Career Options Corporate Fitness/Wellness Non-Profit: YMCA, Boys & Girls Club Military Recreation Correctional Setting Campus Recreation Parks & Recreation/Municipal Recreation Private Clubs: golf, tennis, fitness centers
3	NIRSA Average Salaries
4	Campus Recreation Salaries Average recreational sports professional salary: $31,000 - $46,298 Those with CRSS averaged $50,909 Those without CRSS averaged $36,572
5	NIRSA Programs Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders National School of Recreational Sports Management National Conference, Regional Conference, and State Conferences National Recreation Facilities Institute National Fitness Institute National Marketing Institute Collegiate Sport Club Symposium National Aquatic Institute Outdoor Recreation Symposium
6	The Resume Specificity, Qualitative & Quantitative data Numbers, Percentages, and Figures help to show how much you’ve helped the program Take out irrelevant jobs if resume is over a page long Try to only have information on job field Formatting: templates or use other’s layout Ask people to review their resumes Chronological order Make easy to read & organized: maybe bullets Avoid sentences Use action verbs Directed, Assisted, Acquired, Budgeted, Coordinated, Developed, Introduced, Increased, Formalized, Implemented, Utilized
7	Resume Example
8	Resume Example
9	Resume Cont’d Added extras to make it a “cut above the rest” Awards, Honors, Professional Organizations,Activities, Volunteer Service, Skills, GPA (only if above a 3.0) Certifications: CRSS, CLP, CPRP, ACE, HS officiating Have it reviewed multiple times by: Professors, Career Center, Past/Current Employers, Co-workers & Students Never EVER have spelling/grammatical mistakes!!! Update constantly after each internship/job Can have 2 sections for jobs Related work experience and Other work experience sections
10	Resume Cont’d Can customize to different jobs General Job Resume Recreational Sports Resume Some jobs require certain formats because machines scan resumes Print on quality resume paper The money invested will be worthwhile Use general colors (white, sand, gray speck, etc.) Avoid bright colored paper Always have extra copies on hand Can’t have too many resumes with you when at a job fair Get your name out Job fairs and Conferences Web based job seeking Network anywhere (family, friends, class, work, etc.)
11	Cover Letter Brief synopsis of your resume Approximately 2-4 paragraphs Highlight key accomplishments Selling yourself to organization Make sure to have correct organization name, person’s name writing to, and address on letter Be sure to have name of person you’re sending to: NO….To Whom It May Concern…. Unless it’s impossible to get person’s name Is an Objective needed on resume???? Avoid using “I”: Limit to 4-6 Makes you sound selfish/self-centered
12	Cover Letter cont’d Can generally use same format for similar jobs Best to customize each cover letter to each job applied, but depends on time and deadlines Customize parts of letter to the organization Use same paper as resume (high quality) Be sure to thank them for their time and include that you would be interested in further consideration or interview at their convenience Leave phone number and email at the end of letter Look at other people’s cover letters or check out samples online
13	Sample Cover Letter/Reference List
14	References & Recommendations Consider past professors, coaches & employers (Generally 3-4 people) Send a personal letter to use he/she as a reference or to request a letter of recommendation Can email them a letter with attached information, but also send a paper copy Be sure to send a copy of your updated resume Send a thank you note if they accept Give people “heads up” when you are applying Allows them not to be surprised…. Have a reference list ready with 3-5 names, title, phone, email, and address Some people include reference lists with resumes automatically
15	The Interview Research organization The web today can be very useful Get directions and go there before interview Mock Interviews: do 2-3 weeks in advance of real interview Ask & take advantage of supervisors and professors Mock interviews will help to relieve nervousness and prepare how to answer certain questions (not rehearsed, but an idea) Phone Interviews Schedule a time that works for you and possible employer Be prepared and treat as regular interview If needed, ask for time to answer questions to think
16	The Interview cont’d Dress Appropriately Men: Dark suit Women: Dress or Business Suit Avoid too much jewelry & cologne/perfume Arrive 15 minutes early Don’t get there too early, puts pressure on organization to get their other interviews done Proper etiquette and posture Introduce self and offer your hand in introduction Sit up straight and watch out for bad non-verbal cues Hand over mouth when speaking, slouching, crossing arms, not making eye contact, seeming uninterested, etc.
17	Keys to Effective Interviews Develop rapport (comfortable) May have to interview with many people Try to make it a conversation; not an interrogation!! Use transitions to talk about your qualifications Confidence not cockiness…..THEY NEED YOU!!! Show knowledge of current operations/news and industry trends as well as ask insightful questions Be sure to write down questions prior to interview Take notes during interview Problem solving questions…it’s ok to pause/think Thank interviewer for time & get business card Send thank you ASAP!!!!! Some people have thank you card at interview, write in car, and put in closest mailbox on the way home
18	Networking Can’t get a job if you don’t know about it! Consider making own business cards if don’t have already Make most of opportunities Professors, Employers (past & present), Family, Friends, Conferences, Expos Use NIRSA listservs, emails & website NIRSA is a big family that helps each other in any area In discussions anywhere, if they know anyone working in the sports, fitness or recreation industry, ask if you can contact that person they know Offer your services and past experiences to help colleagues Keep in touch…. Update by phone or email every 6 months or less
19	NIRSA Listservs fitness@nirsa.net imsports@nirsa.net sportclubs@nirsa.net outdoors@nirsa.net recsports@nirsa.net aquatics@nirsa.net facilities@nirsa.net students@nirsa.net
20	NIRSA Networking & Conferences Many NIRSA professionals and students work hard, but also play hard Need to be aware of conduct at conferences Have fun at conferences, but watch behavior when socializing Any indicators that you are out of control may influence future employment Some NIRSA job employers are looking to see how you interact in a social scene They are seeing if their organization can include another personality to “fit” with their team
21	Doctoral Programs Large need for professors with a doctorate to teach: (Job security and flexibility) Ph.D or Ed.D Sport management Recreational Studies Leisure Services Higher Education Assistantships, grants, scholarships and awards available to fund/offset costs
22	National Sports Organizations NCAA NASSM AAU CIRA AAHPERD USOC NSGA NIRSA NRPA FRPA IHRSA ACSM NASPE ASI
23	General Sports, Fitness & Recreation Mega-Websites http://coyote.ycp.edu/~smasters/ http://www.ku.edu/~uces/jobsearch/sports.shtml http://www.sportslinkscentral.com/Sports_Business/sports_jobs.htm http://www.hastings.edu/resource/career/csl012.htm http://www.rpts.tamu.edu/jobs.htm http://www.sportscareers.com/
24	Motivation to get positions Become familiar with other operations Learn non-primary jobs, so you are more marketable when trying to move up Each job moving up requires more qualifications and strategic thinking for overall campus recreation Create your own opportunities Try things out…then eventually narrow career focus What entry level job do you desire Where will you be in 10 years? Will you always be involved in sports, fitness or recreation?
25	It’s never too early to start!!! Get a jump start ahead of people Internships and jobs are easily accessible by internet and career resources at institution (many are free services) Utilize networks Work hard (bring your expertise and creativity) Make a difference in the organization you are working for The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of the experience Nominate and get nominated for NIRSA Awards Join NIRSA Committees or be a State Director Join Campus Committees Read up on the NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal Read up on NIRSA research Surveys, Salaries, Partnerships, etc.
26	Recommended Reading “The Guide to Careers in Sports” By Len Karlin (1995) E.M Guild, Inc NY A Careers and Colleges Publication Although this is an older guide, there is useful information on all aspects of sports, fitness and recreation.
27	Recommended Journal/ Periodic Readings Become familiar with the Recreational Sports Industry Knowledge will enhance your marketability Athletic Business Journal Parks and Recreation Journal (NRPA) NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal Street & Smith’s Sport Business Journal Athletic Journal Athletic Management Career in Sports Administration NCAA News Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director
28	Giving Back… Sport programmers are interdependent When someone has helped you….. Return the favor to someone else Update them on how you are doing and….. Always say thank you!!!!! The little effort goes a long way
29	Thanks!!!! Feel free to contact me anytime!!!! Come see me after the session or sometime today if you want to talk 1-on-1 Please leave me your contact info!!! Presentations, job websites, and other information can be emailed to you Please write legibly!!!!
30	Contact Information Kevin B. George 856-256-4927 856-256-4428 (FAX) georgek@rowan.edu www.rowan.edu/rec Assistant Director Intramural Sports & Facilities Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road Glassboro, NJ 08028
31	Sample Resume 1
32	Sample Resume 2
33	Sample Resume 3
34	Sample Resume 4
35	Sample Resume 5
36	Sample Resume 6