Career Development Guide

WHAT YOU CAN DO

STEP 1: SEE THE OPPORTUNITY IN ADVERSITY

When people are confronted with adversity, they usually have three choices: do nothing; avoid the challenge or move toward the challenge.

Doing nothing is a choice. The consequence of the choice is that by doing nothing, there will be little change to current circumstances and during times of adversity, doing nothing often makes things more difficult.

Avoiding or ignoring adversity often means that the situation requiring action continues to exist and that circumstances can deteriorate because of a lack of action. While avoiding or ignoring adversity might work as a short-term strategy, invariably problems come back and usually in a larger or more significant form.

The best approach to dealing with adversity is to move toward it with an “opportunity mindset”. Because with this mindset it is possible to focus on growth, learning, problemsolving, improvement and action. With this focus and action, confidence and capability are outcomes that make navigating adversity possible.

STEP 2: PLAY THE “LONG GAME”

It will be helpful if from the outset you play the long game, rather than trying to get short-term needs met.

Playing the long game helps you consider short, medium and longer-term perspectives.

So, when you’re completing the steps in this guide, ensure you’re giving appropriate attention to short, medium and longer-term goals and actions.

IT’S IMPORTANT THAT EACH TIME HORIZON IS GIVEN THE REQUIRED INVESTMENT OF YOUR TIME AND ENERGY.

STEP 3: GET “MATCH FIT”

To ensure you have the energy and capacity to implement your Career Development Guide, your physical and psychological wellbeing will be key as it will help manage your body budget and reduce allostatic load (your body’s wear and tear).

SLEEP LIKE A CHAMPION – THE TOP 5 TIPS

1. Have a consistent routine – when you go to bed and when you wake.

2. Have a shower/bath before bed – approx. 1 hour before bedtime for max. benefit.

3. Implement a “wind-down” routine which includes avoiding all screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Replace your screen time with relaxing activities like meditation, listening to music or reading a book.

4. Limit alcohol intake (on a daily basis) because it interrupts your natural sleep cycle.

5. Ensure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet.

GET A PHYSICAL CHECK-UP AND START MOVING

1. 1. Go to your doctor and have your overall health, heart rate, blood pressure and blood profile checked so you’re approved to undertake a job-ready fitness regime.

2. Once you’ve got your tick of approval from your doctor, get a baseline on your current fitness level with a qualified exercise physiologist and develop a realistic fitness regime that fits your daily schedule. Remember – movement and frequency are more important than intensity. Start where you are, not where you think you should be.

3. Set some clear goals with your fitness regime that you’ll be able to achieve over the next 3 months such as losing 10 pounds; being able to exercise for 20 minutes nonstop; being able to make a 20% improvement in strength.

YOUR PHYSICAL WELLBEING

YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING

Your brain’s primary job is to manage your body’s budget. In managing your body’s budget your brain attempts to make your body as efficient as possible by predicting what it needs. These predictive capacities depend on your behaviour and your body’s ability to adapt to the demands you place on it.

By reducing the demands on your body, you give your body (and your brain) the best chance to be efficient and productive. So, anything you can do to reduce stressful and unnecessary demands, will be beneficial.

Remember that being active and engaged, and having positive relationships is both protective, sustaining and productive but being inactive or being passive in life can be detrimental.

STRESS-TEST YOUR LIFE

1. Using the Wellbeing Model below, evaluate how each dimension of wellbeing contributes to stress in your life.

2. Use a scale of 1-5, where 1 is “little or no stress” and 5 is “highly stressful”.

Click in the boxes to type a number 1-5

3. Summarise any areas that you have scored as a 3 or more.

4. Identify what’s causing the stress in that area.

5. Identify the strategies or actions you can take to alleviate or address the stressors you’ve identified (use table over-page to set out your strategies).

AREA (RATED 3+) CAUSES OF STRESS ACTIONS TO ADDRESS STRESSORS

Click in the boxes to type notes

STEP 4: IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE YOUR CAPABILITIES

Using the table below, reflect on your current capabilities and rate on a 1-5 scale where 1 is where this capability is at the foundation level and 5 is where it is at the mastery level.

At the foundation level, you have a basic grasp and knowledge of skills. At mastery level, others in the field would recognise you as an expert in this capability area.

Leadership, clear vision, strategic focus and plan

Management and organisational skills

Communication and relationships skills

Languages spoken

Roster management

Player relationship management

Strategy

Tactics

Technology literacy

Personal and professional development

Coaching record (results)

Other:

Click in the boxes to mark with a tick

Once you’ve completed your evaluation, identify at least 3 people you’ve worked with that you trust to give you honest feedback. Ask them to rate the capabilities above using the same scale.

Based on your self-reflection and the feedback from others identify your current strengths and areas for development.

STEP 5: ANALYSE THE MARKET

To identify the opportunities that you would like to pursue, you’ll need to conduct some analysis to ensure you have an accurate picture of the football careers market.

WHAT ARE THE EMPLOYMENT TRENDS?

SOME OF THE TRENDS THAT ARE IMPACTING CAREERS IN FOOTBALL INCLUDE:

1. There will likely be a broad range of scenarios impacting the timing and nature of the return of fans to stadiums which will impact club revenue.

2. Broadcasters and commercial partners will face economic challenges as a result of the changes in both fans’ attendance and consumers’ interaction with the sport.

3. Clubs should expect uncertainty in their matchday revenue forecasts until further Government guidance is offered regarding crowd capacity at sporting events.

4. Clubs seeking to identify and secure alternative revenue streams

5. Increased demand for managers and coaches who can build sustainable and inclusive cultures

6. Increased player power and influence over who gets hired as a manager

7. Increased focus on player management and relationships skills

8. Increased technology use within and across clubs for analysis, player conditioning and training, injury prevention and rehabilitation and recovery

9. Greater focus on player wellbeing

10. Increased importance on manager capability development

BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH, LIST OTHER TRENDS THAT WILL IMPACT THE EMPLOYMENT MARKET:

Click in the box to type notes

2. WHO ARE THE MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN YOUR FIELD?

USING THE LIST BELOW AS A GUIDE, IDENTIFY THE MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN YOUR FIELD (AND DESIRED LOCATION/S):

1. Clubs

2. Governing bodies

3. Foundations

4. Private companies

5. Public sports bodies

6. Associations

7. Specialist organisations

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: Click in the box to type notes

WHAT ROLE(S) COULD YOU TARGET?

Manager

Specialist Coach

Sports Science

Wellbeing

Mental Health Specialist

Sponsorship

Assistant Coach

High Performance

Strength and Conditioning

Player Care

Career Coach

Sales

Player Agent

Technical Coach

Technology Specialist

Fitness Expert

Safeguarding

Mentor

Marketing

Director of Football

Technical Director

Head of Recruitment

Academy Director

Scout

Broadcaster/Media

4. WHERE WILL YOU SOURCE/FIND THESE ROLES & OPPORTUNITIES?

USING THE LIST BELOW AS A GUIDE, IDENTIFY HOW YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SOURCE/ FIND OPPORTUNITIES:

1. My professional network

2. Other contacts

3. Careers’ websites and agencies (see list at end of the guide)

4. Direct targeting of clubs and organisations

SOURCES OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND ROLES:

Click in the box to type notes

STEP 6: CREATE YOUR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The best development plans are the ones that are future oriented rather than focussed on the past or even the present. Therefore, it makes sense to anticipate future trends and work backwards to your capabilities to identify learning needs and opportunities. Great development plans also leverage current strengths and seek to either address or negate career derailing weaknesses.

Based on the future trends in football, and your evaluation of your current capabilities, identify the capabilities (knowledge, skills, experience) that will best serve you in the future.

For each of the capabilities you’ve identified on the previous page, write a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goal for the learning you can undertake to build the required knowledge, skills or experience.

e.g: Technology in football

To learn the basic functionality of commonly used Player Analysis software by 31 May 2021.

Speak to the Head of Player Analysis at 2 different football clubs to learn what Player Analysis software they use

Research any new Player Analysis software and arrange a demonstration of at least 2 different Player Analysis software types.

Write a brief summary of what you’ve learnt about the Player Analysis software available and how you this software could be incorporated into training plans and tactical analysis

Click in the boxes to type notes

STEP 7: DEVELOP YOUR 30 SECOND PITCH

Regardless of whether you are currently in a role (or not), having an elevator pitch –a short 30 second snapshot of what you’re great at, and what you’re working at improving or currently learning - will be of benefit.

Any time you’re meeting with people, or are put on the spot, you’ll have a “go-to” message that sums up how you’d like to be perceived by others in the football industry.

1. State your intent

“I’m looking for the next opportunity in <insert employment areas of interest> so I can leverage the work I’ve done in developing my <insert development areas>.

2. Share insights

“It’s actually been really helpful to reflect on some of the trends impacting football right now and how Managers will need to adapt.

3. Request insights

“What trends in football do you think will be most important?”

4. Thank them for their insights

“That’s really interesting; thank you for your insights.”

In order to get comfortable with your 30-second pitch, you’ll need to develop a pitch in your own words and practice it. One of the best ways you can practice is to say it aloud in front of the mirror until you can recall it easily and say it in a relaxed, conversational way.

Over time, you can update your pitch to make it more current or relevant to different situations.

STEP 8: NURTURE AND GROW YOUR NETWORK

This might seem like a surprising place to start but research on the psychology of persuasion tells us that people are much more likely to help those who help us.

So instead of thinking of yourself, think of about the questions below:

1. How can you help a colleague or connection build their network? Is there someone you could connect them with?

2. Have you got new knowledge or an insight that could help someone else?

3. Can you provide useful advice to a colleague or friend about their career?

4. Is there a professional relationship that is important to you and that you should invest more time in?

Make a list of the people in your trusted circle and your loyal friends. Once you’ve written their names, take out your diary (hard copy or virtual) and schedule a time at least once per week, to call or catch up with a person on your list.

1. HELP OTHERS

2. CONNECT WITH TRUSTED & LOYAL FRIENDS

Identify people that you’d like to talk to – to learn from and also for future opportunities.

1. Develop a target list (in priority order) and schedule time on a daily basis to reach out and make contact

2. When you make contact with each person, ask them if they have time to meet with you (either face to face or virtually) to get their advice on a particular topic

3. Get prepared for each meeting. Make sure you have your 30 second pitch ready before the meeting and be clear on the topics/areas of interest that you’d like to seek advice on.

4. Remember the 80/20 rule; 80% of your time should be spent listening in these meetings and only 20% talking (mostly to respond, paraphrase, build on their ideas or seek more information)

5. Don’t pitch yourself for a job during this meeting – that is not its purpose.

6. At the end of each meeting, ask if there’s another person they think you should talk to (to help you learn more about this topic or a related topic). Add that person to your target list.

7. Express your gratitude and appreciation for their time.

8. Make some diary notes on each person and each meeting. Include important things to remember about the person and also identify any ways you could help them – now or in the future.

3. GROW YOUR NETWORK

STEP 9: BE VISIBLE (VIRTUALLY)

You don’t need to be a social media expert (or influencer) but you can consider having a social media presence that is aligned to who you are and where you want to go in your career.

Take time to review and analyse the social media profiles and activities of well-respected professionals and experts in the football and sport sectors.

Once you’ve done some learning and reviewed others’ profiles, you can update your existing profile or create a new profile that is aligned to your professional brand.

For existing profiles, review your history of posts (comments, article shares etc) and identify any that do not align to your future professional brand and delete them from your account.

LinkedIn and Instagram are social media platforms that are the most appropriate. If you don’t already know, learn how these important platforms work and the difference between the two.

Ensure your social media presence (profile, posts and shares) is professional not personal. If required, set up separate accounts for Instagram, Facebook and Twitter that are purely used for professional purposes.

These social platforms allow you to establish yourself in the market and be identified as someone who is a potential employee.

1. GIVE YOURSELF A SOCIAL MEDIA “MAKE-OVER”

MAKE INTENTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Ensure all your contributions to social media platforms and discussions are intentional and aligned to your desired brand/profile.

The posts and contributions that gain the most traction are positive, solution-focused, insight and discussion generating, helpful and humble. Celebrating others’ success, achievements or contributions is also highly valued.

The more you comment thoughtfully on influential posts (in a way that progresses the conversation), the more you’ll be noticed.

Schedule time in your diary to ensure your activity on social media is consistent, planned and impactful.

STEP 10: FOCUS ON YOUR FINANCIAL WELLBEING

1. Analyse your financial position to determine whether it supports or constrains your desired career direction.

2 You may need to speak to a finance professional to help you identify the cash flow required to support your current obligations and lifestyle.

3. This review may involve identifying current expenses and opportunities for reducing spending to make necessary short-term sacrifices to help you achieve your goals.

4. Look at the amount of money you have in reserve and how long it would last if you were to commit to a revised budget regime.

5. This will help you develop a realistic financial plan.

6. Remember that getting to where you want to go will require trade-offs and one of those trade-offs may be short-term pain for longer term gain. In other words, you must be prepared to make some sacrifices.

7. Recognise that you may need to have a dual-track plan where your longer-term career goal is pursued but you might take a role in the short term to meet your financial obligations.

8. Finally, make sure you have an updated financial plan that is developed in conjunction with a finance professional.

9. When you’re talking to a finance professional, when you’re well prepared not only does it make their job easier but it increases the likelihood that the advice will be aligned to your specific needs and situation.

FIND OUT MORE

“Career Leap” by Michelle Gibbings

CAREERS WEBSITES:

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Career Development Guide - The Manager's Playbook