• Loading stock data...
Friday, March 29, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Networking — Why What You’re Doing is Wrong

By: Adam White, @FOSAdam

I am not a self-proclaimed networking expert nor am I a networking guru, but throughout the course of my interviews one reoccurring theme has presented itself, in order to be successful you must network, but network the right way. I’m happy to share with you the top 3 things you can do to network more effectively.

1. Stop selling your business card and start building relationships

Sports industry professionals today no longer see a 1×3 business card as the way to network effectively. Gone are the days when you can just show up to a networking event, shake hands, give someone a short summary of yourself, hand them a business card and expect to walk away with a job offer or new connection. Today you have to build a relationship with someone and show them why you, as a person, are valuable to an organization and why your skills will help the organization achieve its goals. Some easy ways to do this are to go to lunch with someone, write thank you notes, almost anything with a personal touch. This may seem like common sense to most, but many people think that giving someone your business card and chatting it up with them is a successful event of networking. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s not.

2. Stop beating around the bush

Another common thread I have found from my interviews is that prospective connections and employers want you to tell them what you want to accomplish. Do you want to be a general manager? Tell them. Do you want to be a sponsorship executive? Tell them. By letting people know your intentions right away, they can get a good grasp on what kind of qualities you can present to the organization. Another benefit of letting people know what you want to accomplish upfront, is if they are not able to help you, they might know someone who can.

3. It’s about what you know and who you know

Contrary to popular belief in the sports world, it is not all about who you know, it’s about what you know too. Not only do you have to know the right people, you also have to work and work hard to leave lasting impressions on those people. It’s hard work that leads to lasting impressions and the lasting impressions lead to a better chance of having someone who is willing to be a reference for you. In talking with people, I ask questions about resumes and what makes an applicant stand out. The most resounding answer has been “their references.” One person even went as far to say that they didn’t even look at people’s qualifications until they looked at their references. Great Relationships= Great References= Better Opportunity to Land Dream Job!

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Office Hours: Rich Antoniello, Founder and CEO, Complex Networks

Rich Antionello, founder and CEO of Complex, discusses sports, media and the life of an entrepreneur.

A Day of Luxury, Laughs and Learning: Four Takeaways from The Variety..

By: Adam White, @FOSAdam [caption id=”” align=”alignnone” width=”3000.0"] Variety and Sports Illustrated’s…

From Being an Intern to Catching Ninjavitis, How Some of the Best..

By: Adam White, @FOSAdam Ever wonder what your first job in sports…

FOS and Prominent LA Sports Agency Team Up

By: Adam White, @FOSAdam Front Office Sports, a leading educational resource connecting…
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the Timberwolves Sale was Called Off

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.
March 27, 2024

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
March 26, 2024

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S
March 24, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
Sponsored

Temple Takes Your Sports Career to the Next Level

If you want to break through to the C-Suite , Temple University’s Executive Master of Science in Sport Business can help you up your game and accelerate your career. 
Sponsored

Networking With Purpose

Investing in the Ohio University PMSA unlocks access to one of the largest sports business alumni networks in the world.
Sponsored

University of San Francisco Is Your Ticket to the Game

Rated the No. 1 Sports Management program in California, USF has been a leader in educating industry professionals for more than 30 years.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
Sponsored

UMass, McCormack Department of Sport Management Introduce Groundbreaking Women in Business Course

UMass’s Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management has announced the addition of a Women in Business course launching Spring 2021.
Sponsored

Sacred Heart University Gives Athletes and Students Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Professor Matthew F. Moran is training the industry’s next generation of exercise scientists at Sacred Heart University.
Sponsored

Ohio University PMSA Prepares Sports Professionals For New Normal

Two alumni of the Ohio University Professional Master of Sports Administration explain how they feel prepared for the future of sports.
Sponsored

Temple’s Sports Business Master’s Program Gives a Sports Media Pro Unique Perspective

Temple’s School of Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management gave Sean Hanrahan the tools to elevate his career even after 30 years in the business.