Sports Career Strategies FAQ

Getting a Job in Sports

Getting a job in sports takes a focused strategy, not just a resume. Decide which roles, organizations, and markets you want, build a strong sports industry resume, network with people who work in your target area, and prepare carefully for interviews. SMWW's Sports Career Strategies course helps graduates build exactly this kind of job search playbook.

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  Why aren't all sports jobs posted online?

Many sports opportunities are filled through relationships and referrals before they ever reach a job board. Networking, informational interviews, and knowing how to approach the right people can put you in front of employers earlier than other applicants.

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  How do I write a resume for a sports job?

A strong sports resume is tailored to the role, highlights relevant training, projects, and results, and speaks the language of the organization you are targeting. The Sports Career Strategies course covers resume design, cover letter content, and portfolio building.

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  How do I prepare for a sports job interview?

Research the organization, practice explaining how your training applies to the role, and prepare examples that show results. The course includes interview preparation and guidance on weighing offers, so you can decide which opportunity is best for you.

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  How important is networking in sports?

Networking is one of the most important parts of a sports job search, because relationships often decide who hears about an opening and who gets an interview. Using your professional network well, including the SMWW network, can make you more than another resume in an inbox.

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  What is an informational interview, and how does it help?

An informational interview is a short conversation with someone working in a role or organization you are interested in, used to learn and to build a relationship rather than to ask for a job. The course teaches informational interview best practices.

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  What entry level jobs are available in sports?

Common entry points include ticket sales, sponsorship and marketing roles, game day operations, community relations, and analytics support. Ticket sales is one of the most established ways into the business, and mentor Mark Washo has written a book on breaking into sports through ticket sales.

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  Should I tailor each application to the sports organization?

Yes. Sending the same resume to dozens of organizations rarely works. Tailoring your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to each organization shows that you understand its needs and helps your application get noticed.

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About the SMWW Sports Career Strategies Course

  What is the Sports Career Strategies course?

Sports Career Strategies is a free eight week online course for eligible SMWW alumni who have completed their training but have not yet broken into the sports industry. It covers identifying job opportunities, submitting a strong application, interviewing, and deciding which opportunity is best for you.

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  Who can take the Sports Career Strategies course?

The course is open only to eligible SMWW alumni and is one of the biggest alumni benefits SMWW offers. If you have completed an SMWW course and are still working to land your first sports opportunity, this course is designed for you.

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  How much does the Sports Career Strategies course cost?

The course is free for eligible SMWW alumni, and all course materials are included.

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  Who teaches the Sports Career Strategies course?

The course is taught by Mark Washo, founder of Freedom Sports and Entertainment and a sports business executive with three decades of experience, including time with the Chicago Fire, D.C. United, and the New York Red Bulls. He is also the author of Break Into Sports Through Ticket Sales.

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  What will I learn in the Sports Career Strategies course?

You build a personalized job search playbook that covers the roles, organizations, and markets you want, a stronger sports industry resume, cover letters, portfolio building, social media review, finding opportunities that may never appear on job boards, interviewing, navigating job offers, informational interviews, and using the SMWW network more effectively.

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  How is the Sports Career Strategies course taught?

The course is delivered online over eight weeks with discussion boards, weekly readings, weekly quizzes, and course projects, and it gives you interaction with fellow students and faculty. All course materials and textbooks are included.

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  Will the course guarantee me a sports job?

No course can guarantee a job. Sports Career Strategies gives you a focused plan, stronger application materials, and better use of your network, which can improve your chances in a competitive job market.

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  I am not an SMWW alum. How can I access this course?

Sports Career Strategies is available only to SMWW alumni, so the first step is to complete an SMWW course. If your goal is an entry level job in a professional sports organization, SMWW's Sports Sales & Marketing course is built for that purpose, and graduates who are still job hunting may qualify for free enrollment in Sports Career Strategies.

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  Do I receive a certificate for completing the course?

Yes. Graduates receive an SMWW Certificate of Accomplishment for the course, which you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

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  What if I need one on one assistance?

SMWW staff are available by phone throughout the course for one on one help with coursework, live sessions, or career questions. Call 1 877 SMWW NOW in the United States and Canada, +44 0 871 288 4799 in the United Kingdom, or +1 503 445 7105 from anywhere else. Our offices are in Portland, Oregon, and London, England.