I realize I'm a bit late in putting my .02 in but maybe I'll still be able to help a little...
Since the last time I posted in this thread (last October), I've gotten a job with an NFL team... It's not the NHL... but it's a foot in the right direction (my ultimate goal is to work in the NHL or for USA Hockey).
I've learned a lot about what it takes to land a job with a sports team (however I know there is still a lot more to learn) so I thought I would share my thoughts, experiences, and what I've learned in case anyone else out there wants to pursue a job in sports. And
From what I have learned, you're probably going to have a hard time getting anywhere in the sports world, hockey or otherwise, without an internship, especially if you want to work for teams. There are some exceptions to this, but you have to know someone affiliated with a team to get that exception.
My first recommendation is to get experience directly in sports as soon as possible and do as much of it as possible.
Getting your foot in the door of the sports industry isn't easy... most people that have a job don't leave... unless it's to work for another team/organization. The team I work for has had people move on to take positions with the KC Chiefs, BC Place and the Tampa Bay Lightning. But there are doors that are open, you just have to be willing to work for little pay and to start on the proverbial ground floor. It may even mean taking a position as an usher, ticket taker or working in the team store (we've had a couple people who started off in positions like these. Do a good job, work hard and make yourself a valuable employee and
it will be recognized. They're not glamorous jobs, but they will get your foot in the door and allow you to network (which is one of the most important aspects of getting a long-term job in sports). These jobs are particularly ideal for someone still in school or for someone who can live on a part time job.
Second, for pretty much every job in hockey, you'll have to apply online unless the team's site says otherwise. If you're not on Teamwork Online, register there now. They post jobs for the AHL, ECHL and NHL.
...apply for Teamwork Online ASAP. Apply for every single job that you think would be fun. At one point I had over 70 applications out. You'll find out during the interview if it's really a job that you really want to do. Plus, interview experience never ever hurts.
TeamWorkOnline is the best place to find a job in sports... It's pretty much the "go-to" site. That's where I found my job advertised and it is also where we post all of our openings, from high-paying jobs to internships. We recently used it to hire all of our interns for the upcoming season. Now here's a statistic to keep in mind (don't let it discourage you, just keep it in mind), we received 798 applications for about 15 internships. I was told that last season we didn't receive as many applications, but apparently winning teams attract more applications.
That being said, competition can be pretty fierce, that's why you need to start getting experience as soon as you can. When we reviewed applications, we didn't necessarily look so much at whether or not the applicant had a degree in
Sports Management/Sports Business as long as they had a degree in business, marketing, public relations or communications. So if your university doesn't offer a Sports Management degree...that's OK.
It seems TeamWork Online is a good resource. Did you guys apply for the "Future Notification" window or just whatever jobs were available?
I applied for the job that was available where I live... I didn't have the option, at the time, to move anywhere else. I visited the site daily looking for positions in my area. I don't see any harm in using the "Future Notification" option, but if you have time, I would suggest visiting the site daily.
The biggest piece of advice I have, though, is to throw your fandom out the window. It doesn't matter in this industry. You should have some interest in hockey, but sports is a business. You'll have to show what experience and skills you'll bring to keep the team running smoothly, just as you would in any other field.
...don't limit yourself to just hockey. The hockey community is extremely tight knit. Get your foot in the door any way you can and then work your way back into hockey if that's your ultimate goal.
^^^^^^
THIS
I'm going to assume if you are on a hockey forum, you love hockey and your dream would be to work for a hockey team, I know it's my dream. If you land your first job in hockey, CONGRATULATIONS! If you haven't been able to get your foot in the door with a hockey team, look at other sports. There are a lot of different sports out there, from lacrosse to volleyball (
USOC JOBS). The key is getting your foot in the door, gaining experience and networking.
Like I stated earlier, there have been people who worked for my current organization who have moved onto other sports... even the NHL. Just work your butt off, work OT if they ask (or even volunteer to come in early, stay late or come in on a day off), take every advantage to learn everything you can from as many people as you can; every new thing you learn, is one more thing you can add to your resume... and every time you do a good job and impress your boss/manager/supervisor, they could be someone that may, one day, give you that all-important referral or recommendation.
...throw your fandom out the door. As soon as you become an employee you have to act like it. You're immediately a fan of the team you're working for and nothing else for that specific sport.
So true! It's sort of an unwritten rule I think, you work for such-and-such team, you wear our teams' merchandise (perhaps that's why we all get a discount in the team store...
). There was a guy who once wore a New Orleans Saints baseball cap to a meeting... Yeah, that never happened again!
I've thought about wearing my Canucks clothing to work (Fridays are casual) but decided not to when someone told me they got a little "talking to" when they wore a baseball cap of our local baseball team. I can wear USA Hockey gear though... during the Olympics.
