Proof of Work: The Secret to Getting Hired by a Football Club

In this solo episode of the Business of Football Network podcast, we take a break from guest interviews to tackle a harsh reality of the sports industry: why your generic CV is probably getting ignored. Dealing with a bit of spring hay fever, our host delivers some much-needed candid advice about what it actually takes to get hired by a football club.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Ditch the "mass apply" strategy: Firing off the same generic CV to dozens of clubs doesn't work; hiring managers are incredibly busy and simply do not have the time to sift through thousands of identical applications. Show your "proof of work": Instead of just listing that you have a degree or claiming you are a team player, you need to highlight specific projects you've completed and the actual results they produced. Create your own opportunities: If you don't have direct industry experience, you need to go out and build it yourself by starting a blog, volunteering, or pitching a well-thought-out project directly to a club. Pre-impressions matter immensely: Hiring managers will likely form an opinion of you by reviewing your past projects and your LinkedIn profile long before you ever shake hands in an interview. Leave the entitlement at the door: You have to understand that football clubs don't owe you an opportunity just because you are passionate; you must bring a humble attitude and prove you can actively help them win on or off the pitch. BEST MOMENTS "What actually matters is a proof of work. Your CV is fantastic, and your CV is important... but I want to look at the projects that they've done." "You have to remember that the hiring managers have got a lot on their plates already. They've got so much that they've gotta do." "That's great, but what did you actually do? How did you actually help them move forward? What were your tangible results or intangible results?" "Your first impression isn't even you. It's like you always have pre-impressions before you get to the first impression." "No, they're not. They're not. This is not a... 'oh, let's try and give people an opportunity' type thing. No. We are... but football clubs aren't. They've gotta win." OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-chimbaza-/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessoffootballpodcast/ Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoffootball HOST BIO Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launch his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetise & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience.  Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/