Six Traits Sports Biz Employers Want

The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

At its core, the WorkInSports Podcast teaches you how to sell yourself to an employer in the sports industry. Jennifer in Massachusetts is seeking some sports career advice on that front with this question for VP of Content and Engaged Learning Brian Clapp:

“Hey Brian, it feels like 2022 was a tumultuous year for job seekers and employers. First it was the post-pandemic hiring boom, then it was the Great Resignation, then it was the Great Regret, and sprinkled in throughout the year was ghosting. On both sides. I was ghosted by an employer... and sorry to admit, I ghosted an interview I wasn’t that interested in. What do you think are the trends and standards that employers will be looking for in 2023?”

What Employers Want

Hiring managers need to feel confident making a hire, so they don’t have to repeat the same process a few months later. So what are employers looking for when they scan resumes? Well, for one, your college GPA isn’t a critical consideration, as only 37% of employers screen recent grad applications by GPA, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). On the other hand, here are six traits that employers seek when deciding who to hire:

1. Problem-solving skills (61.4% said the skill was extremely important)

2. Ability to work in a team (61%)

3. Strong work ethic (52.4%)

4. Analytical/quantitative skills (50.4%)

5. Communication skills (50%)

6. Technical skills (50%)