The Benefits of Hiring Former Athletes
Graduation season is upon us and that means a new line of college graduates is entering the workforce. You’ve probably already seen an uptick in resumes and job seekers in your business. These new graduates are hungry for employment and eager to get started putting their education to use. One demographic in particular that is likely looking for a job are college athletes.
Only 1.5% of college football players and approximately 1% of college basketball players (both men and women’s basketball) turn pro, according to the NCAA. Baseball has the highest conversion from college athlete to professional player at a whopping 9.1%, followed by men’s ice hockey at 5.6%.
What does that mean for you? With the bulk of athletes ending their athletic careers after college, you’re likely to see quite a few resumes from this group of people. Take notice! Athletes possess attributes that might fit the bill of what you’re looking for when filling your open positions.
Goal-Oriented
It’s hard to deny the competitive spirit of college athletes. They’re in the game to win, but these players know how to work with their teammates to do what it takes to rise to the top. Most have tasted loss and don’t like it’s bitter flavor. Whether it’s a basketball player who missed a last-minute game winning shot in the Sweet 16 or a college football quarterback who got sacked one too many times in a rivalry game, these players fight hard to not repeat failure by working relentlessly toward their goal.
This same orientation toward goals is replicated in life after college. Athletes continue to be competitive by nature and want to do what it takes to reach the top.
Respect for Leaders and Authorities
One of the ways athletes get to the top is through their coaches. Winning teams have a coach at the helm who leads their their team to victory after victory. And it takes a good listener and someone who has a lot of respect for authority to put their pride aside and listen to what the coach thinks is best for the team as a whole—even if that means getting benched for a few plays.
In the workplace, the same respect matters. Employees don’t just hear their managers—they listen and respect them.
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Self-Starters
No matter how much respect a person has for leadership, when the job needs to get done, the person needs to motivate himself (or herself) to do it. Athletes, by nature, are self-starters. A coach isn't going to shoot the winning free throw or throw the winning touchdown. It takes hours of practice to master a skill, and that burden falls on the shoulders of the athlete.
On-the-job, athletes can use this self-starting attribute to their employer’s advantage. If a self-starter is working for you, you can take a more hands-off approach without having to worry if a job will get done.
A Natural Tendency to Balance Work and Life
When the big game rolls around, you won’t usually find motivated, successful athletes out partying the night before. Even in college, athletes learn the importance of balancing the party scene with their responsibilities on and off the field.
This translates well to the workforce. Former players already know the importance of prioritizing their life and work responsibilities. When it comes to scheduling, you’ll have someone who respects their shifts and doesn’t try to juggle work to meet their social life away from the office.
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