You are ready to enter a highly competitive and exciting field:the world of sports. After a short time, you realize that it is extremely difficult to find a job in sports, even if you have completed your education requirements.
Jobs in sports are not the only kind of hard-to-find job. In general, job searches can be quite stressful and frustrating, but they're especially difficult when you're looking to break into a niche industry. No matter where your career takes you, whether in sports, software development or healthcare, you need to be strategic to find opportunities and stand out from the crowd.
Related: 13 Simple Steps to Land the Job You Want
Here's how to stand out and get attention in a niche industry.
Before you apply
Too many job seekers are content to scroll through job boards and apply for dozens of positions all week long. This method is inefficient, especially in a niche industry. Employers notice talent that demonstrates a deep understanding of their organization.
My company, JobsInSports, conducted a survey and found that employers consider the most important aspects of their business that candidates should understand to be the company core values, vision, products and services provided, and their mission statement.
In other words, employers in niche industries are looking for candidates who really have a sense of what is their business. This knowledge also helps you determine how you fit into the culture and how you can bring value to a goal you believe in.
Start researching potential employers. Use LinkedIn to get a glimpse of their company culture. Their company page can include photos of their workplace, employee testimonials, causes they support, and insight into their values and mission. Also, use LinkedIn to find possible connections with your current employees.
If you don't have a connection, try to create one. Find out where their employees engage and get involved. For example, if you are looking for sports-related jobs in marketing and are looking for a sports marketing agency, look for employees in LinkedIn groups and join the discussions. This will help you stand out and grab their attention.
Related: 5 Tips for Networking for a Job on LinkedIn
The Application
Submitting applications shouldn't be something you do mechanically. Pay attention and invest fully in presenting your value in the best way.
My company's survey also revealed which employers rank as the most important elements of a job application. These factors include how the candidate meets the education and experience requirements, whether or not they provide a list of references, and whether their resume is appropriate to the role and the company. Additionally, 84% say a cover letter is crucial for candidates to demonstrate their worth.
When researching the employer, you need to see how you stack up against the open role. Make sure you meet their requirements and show relevant experience before applying. After all, our survey found that the biggest headaches turning employers away are lack of relevant experience and failure to meet requirements.
Start customizing your resume and a cover letter to show how you can add value to the role.
Start customizing your resume and a cover letter to show how you can add value to the role. Niche industries often attract a lot of talented people, so you need to stand out and avoid getting lost in an employer's applicant tracking system.
Use job description keywords in your application. When applying for sports marketing jobs and the post includes phrases like “excellent customer service” and “knowledge of HTML and CSS,” use those exact phrases. If you meet these requirements, highlight them in concise bullet points.
This technique will get your resume in front of hiring managers, and an impressive cover letter can help develop a deeper connection with the employer and provide a fuller perspective of who you are.
Related: 5 things to do before your next job interview
The extras
Employers in niche industries regularly see a lot of top talent. Even if you check all the boxes, you may just be one of many qualified candidates. Fortunately, you can gain more attention in other relevant ways.
Our survey revealed that there are several ways employers can see candidates stand out in a niche job market. Top responses included candidates joining professional organizations, commenting on industry discussion forums, sharing industry content on social media, commenting on industry blogs, and engaging in LinkedIn groups and Facebook.
Simply put, start networking, continue to educate yourself, and build a strong online presence to share your expertise. Professional organizations are an integral part of this approach:you can expand your network, learn from others and share your knowledge.
Ultimately, employers will dig deeper into who you are and why you are a good candidate. Use your online presence to be unmistakable to them.
Related: 4 simple reasons why you didn't get the job
