Hello friends! 👋

Welcome to this ✨  free edition ✨  of the SportsGrad Newsletter. Each week we take a deep dive into ‘how to get a job in sport’.

Today we’re tackling… Networking!

If this makes you shudder, we get it. Social anxiety can get out.

You’re not sure where to start, what to say, or who to reach out to, and the whole thing forces you to never get started.

Well, what would you say, if you could grow your network in sport from the comfort of home, and get introduced to 8-10 epic people in just 60 minutes?

No cold outreaches.

No getting weirdly dressed up.

No not knowing what to talk about.

We used to suck at networking, that’s why we started Speed Networking Nights, to help you grow your network in the SportsGrad Community, increase your confidence, and create relationships with people who understand what you’re going through so you can get the help you need.

So, if you want to join the fun and grow your circles in sport…

Here are 5 easy steps to get the most out of a Speed Networking session:

1. Turn your camera on 📸

Let’s face it, it’s always nicer talking to someone you can see. Prepare your surroundings so that people can chat to your face.

2. Prepare an introduction 😎

We hate to give you homework… But before an event, take 5 minutes to prepare a short introduction that highlights who you are and what you’re up to. This saves you from having nothing to say when people start asking you questions. If you like, practice your introduction so that you can deliver it confidently and clearly.

e.g. “Hi my name is Melissa and I’m currently studying Communications. I’m doing an internship at TLA Worldwide right now and in the future am hoping to land a job in PR at an AFL team”

3. Listen intently 🎧

The art of always having something to say starts with listening. During the event, actively listen to the other participants. Use this to ask questions and show interest in their work and experiences. Remember, networking is a two-way street, so make sure to also share information about yourself.

e.g “That’s so cool you’re doing an internship at TLA, what have been some of the projects you’ve worked on so far?” “Is there anything that’s surprised you about working in PR since stepping into this internship?”

4. Follow up and get a coffee ☕️

After the event, follow up with the people you met. Send a message saying how great it was to get introduced to them, and express your interest in staying in touch. If you want to go one step further, ask for a coffee or zoom call where you can have a longer 1:1 chat. This will help you build lasting relationships and expand your network. You never know where your peers will end up.

e.g. “Hey Melissa, great to meet you tonight! Loved learning a bit about what you’re doing at the moment, and even better to hear you’re also in Brisbane. Would you be interested in grabbing a coffee next week? It’d be great to learn more about your experience and how you’re finding getting a job in sport.”

5. Post on LinkedIn ✍️

A super easy way to get the most out of attending events is by telling your LinkedIn network.

Just the simple act of posting about the event signals “I made an effort to be here” and indicates to people you are the kind of person who’s invested in their career and is putting themselves out there to learn and meet people. People respect that.

We will always share a group photo on the SportsGrad LinkedIn channels, so the easiest way for you to leverage this is to hit ‘Re-share’ or ‘Re-share with thoughts’ and simply add something like:

That’s it!

By following these steps, you can meet heaps of cool people, develop great relationships, and open doors to exciting opportunities you never knew were possible.

Keen to get involved?

Join our next Speed Networking Night!

📆 When: Once a fortnight on a Monday

⏰ Time: 7:00 pm AEST

💻 Where: Zoom - Register via the ‘Events’ page on Discord in the SportsGrad Community

To join Speed Networking nights you have to be a SportsGrad member. If you’re not yet (it’s about time, seriously!) make sure you put your name on the pre-sale list to get early access to our next intake. 

See you there!

Reuben & Ryan 💛

Want to land an awesome job in sport?

The SportsGrad Community makes it 1000x easier to land a dream job.

Join over 650+ Members enjoying...​

🤝  Sports Industry Network: Grow your network in sport and learn from over 650+ like-minded Members from 50+ organisations in a private Discord group

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💬 Talk to Recruiters: Chat directly to the sports recruiting, get your name out there, and become memorable with companies hiring via Virtual Job Fairs

📚 Premium Resources: Access our library of Masterclasses to learn exactly how others have made it in the sports industry and what companies hire for

🗣 Speed Networking: Grow your network rapidly without sending a single ‘unseen’ cold message

🤑 Discount on Events: Get discounted prices to SportsGrad Meetups featuring panels and sporting events, plus discounts from our partner brands

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P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways we can help you:

1. Grow your network in the sports industry with like-minded peers and professionals at our Meetup Events

2. Join over 650+ Members who have landed 400+ roles in sport in the SportsGrad Community and get exclusive jobs, resources, events and discounts.

3. Grow your team with young guns in half the time and at a fraction of the cost. Post a job or let us recruit for you