When job candidates mention their athletic experience on their resume, you may want to pay extra attention. The same determination and grit that helped them succeed on the court or field or pool or pitch can also help them succeed in the promo industry. 

Athletes and former athletes could be the diamonds in the rough that you’re looking for, according to writer Liz Melton. She contributed a piece to the Zapier blog that explains some common traits of athletes that make them some of the best hires. We outline her thoughts in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

  1. They arrive prepared. Athletes don’t rise to the top of their game by showing up late or giving minimum effort. They know that preparation is paramount to their success. You can count on them to show up early, think two steps ahead and always be ready to give their all.

  2. They’re flexible. So many things can and do go wrong during tournaments and competitions, Melton says. Athletes may get injured. They may need to compete in hotter (or colder) weather than they’re used to. She says these circumstances don’t faze them. They know how to deal with the unexpected. In the workplace, athletes know how to roll with the punches and adapt to changes.

  3. They take and apply feedback. Athletes learn early on how to deal with rejection and frustration. They may fail when they try a new trick or pass or learn new equipment. That’s the point of having a coach, Melton says. Athletes know how to listen to their coach and apply what they’re learning to perfect their technique. And because they have years of experience receiving and taking direction, they’ll often take performance reviews to heart.

  4. They know how to work toward goals. Whether they want to win at the state or national level or compete on a worldwide stage, athletes often have lofty goals – and they relentlessly pursue those goals. Melton says since they’ve been setting and achieving goals for years, it’s easier to do the same at work. Athletes understand how to break down complex objectives into specific KPIs.

  5. They are good at building relationships. There’s a lot of camaraderie in athletics – even in individual sports like figure skating or swimming, Melton says. Athletes interact with and learn from everyone in their sports world, making it easier to get along with different personalities in the business world.

Athletes who excelled in their sport could become exceptional contributors and leaders at your promo company. There’s a strong chance they’re motivated, coachable and know how to work as a team to get the job done.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Liz Melton is a writer, editor and contributor to Zapier.