Testimonial: Former Basketball Player Finds New Role In Eyewear Industry

At NexGoal, we take our athlete career placements very seriously – which is why our Project Coordinators spend so much time working with each candidate to put them in the best position to succeed. Once our candidates are placed, we like to take the time to share that candidate’s journey with all of you.

Our client is an innovative eyewear designer dedicated to bringing relief to thousands of patients across North America. In their quest to assist independent optometrists, they sought an experienced Clinical Operations Manager to implement their company vision and sales strategies to area branches. They looked to NexGoal to find the right fit for their team.

Our client got the right person for the job in Steve Givens. Steve, a sales professional with a unique background in spine and disruptive technology, had the proven leadership and market growth experience our client was searching for. With over $80 million sold through his career, a strong history of training new sales reps, and unique experience in the operating room, Steve was an ideal candidate for our client’s needs. Steve was also a former four-year varsity college basketball player, further enhancing his team-building and leadership skills. It was abundantly clear that Steve was an ideal NexGoal candidate.

Steve worked with our recruiter, Brittany Brady, through the job search process and lauded their immediate connection. “Working with Brittany was a very enjoyable experience in what is a stressful time. I was constantly fed updates and she would have timely responses to all my questions,” Steve said.

It didn’t take long for Brittany to position Steve as the ideal candidate for the role. Once the two connected, it only took a few interviews for Steve to land the coveted role. Not only did Steve praise NexGoal’s thoroughness and professionalism in preparing him for these interviews, but he also appreciated the personal touch along the journey.

“She [Brittany] was also thoughtful enough to text me the morning of an interview offering encouragement. The personal touches and the constant communication was extremely reassuring and helpful as moved through the interview process,” Steve mentioned.

Over the past 10+ years, we have specialized in placing former athletes in careers with our various corporate clients. The core of our business surrounds athlete job seekers, and Steve was quick to recommend that other former athletes like himself and competitive-minded job seekers come to NexGoal when looking for their next opportunity.

The NexGoal team would like to thank Steve for his valuable feedback and encouraging words, and we wish him continued success in his new role as Clinical Operations Manager.

Are you looking to work for an industry leader and advance your career in the medical device sales industry? We have the opportunity for you! We look forward to placing you in your next career. You can get started by filling out our Athlete Candidate page here.

Employers: Are you looking to bring on highly qualified candidates like Steve, who may not find you on their own? Reach out & discover how quickly we can connect you with top active & passive job seekers near you!

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Recapping Our Top Five “Athletes And Business” Articles

At NexGoal, we specialize in matching organizations with top-tier talent with a focus on former athletes and those with the athlete’s mindset. While our history working with and being founded by former athletes may make us biased, we’ve found time and time again that ex-athletes and those with the athletic mindset tend to exceed in the business world thanks to their highly-sought after skills.

But you don’t have to be an athlete to have these crucial skills, and those who have never played a sport can still learn valuable career lessons from their favorite teams and athletes. Over the years, we’ve looked at what makes former athletes so successful in business and found insightful takeaways from the biggest sporting events in the world. For your enjoyment, we’ve compiled five of our favorite articles comparing the sports world and the business world.

Why Should You Hire Former Athletes?

While our history working with and being founded by former athletes may make us biased, the experts agree that you can’t go wrong filling your company with ex-athletes. Studies show that former athletes may make 5-15% more than their peers. Meanwhile, Japanese companies are heavily turning to retired athletes in order to achieve competent workers. Many hiring managers and CEOs like ASM Sports Groups’ Christopher Vidal have found former athletes to be some of their best candidates.

The traits that allow athletes to succeed at their chosen sport translate seamlessly to the business world. Even those who didn’t play organized sports can still embody the traits of a successful athlete—this is what we refer to as the “athlete mindset.” If you’re seeking to fill your organization with quality talent, you can’t go wrong with hiring someone with the athlete mindset thanks to these virtues.

Learn From The NFL Draft And Recruit Like The Pros

This is an exciting week in the world of sports as the 2022 NFL Draft begins. For those who don’t follow the sport, during the National Football League’s annual draft, the 32 teams recruit former college football players through an arranged system over the course of seven rounds.

The draft is the best way for teams to bring in new talent, and the process of talent evaluation is extensive. Each pick is a risk, as you’ll never have a complete picture of a prospect’s ceilings, and the fit with the right team can change everything.

In that way, business recruiting is similar. Recruiters must hire who they believe the best candidate is based on the information they have, and they can’t ignore their gut feelings. If your organization wants to recruit like the pros, you need to approach the process like the pros. Embrace these NFL Draft principles for your next hiring cycle.

Career Lessons From The 2022 World Cup

The World Cup is the largest global event in the sporting world, and every four years, millions watch to see how their country fares against the best competition on the planet. Argentina, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, took the FIFA World Cup Trophy home this year.

Argentina showed how to excel on the world’s biggest stage, but you don’t need to be a pro athlete to find some valuable takeaways for your own career. If you’re looking to achieve new career goals, take these lessons from the pros and become a champion in your chosen field!

Career Lessons From The 2023 Masters Tournament

The beginning of spring not only means warm weather is finally arriving but also one of the most exciting events in professional sports—the Masters Tournament.

One of the four major events in professional golf, the Masters is an iconic tournament where legends are made at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club. Each individual storyline at the Masters is fascinating in its own way, and we can take many lessons from the pros for our own life. If you’re looking to advance your career, take these cues from golf’s most iconic event!

Career Lessons From The 2023 Stanley Cup Finals

With the Vegas Golden Knights defeating the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals, the 2023 NHL season has reached its end. As exhilarating as watching hockey can be, if we take a closer look, we can find some valuable lessons for our own lives.

“Playoffs are like a quarter-long sales battle, minus the injuries.” -Kevin Dahl, NexGoal CEO and former NHL player

Two teams of committed team members working toward an ultimate goal is always something we can learn from, even if we aren’t athletes ourselves. Here are valuable career lessons those of us not on the ice can learn from hockey’s ultimate games.

Wrap up

We hope these articles can highlight why we believe so strongly in former athletes and those that embody the athlete’s mindset. You don’t need to be a pro athlete to learn valuable business insights from the sporting world’s biggest stars, and we hope these pieces can assist in your own career. Expect to see even more parallels between athletics and business in the future, and please don’t hesitate to share your own experiences or observations with us!

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Recapping Our Top Five Articles From 2022

In 2022, we started to regain some normalcy after two years heavily influenced by the pandemic. We hope that 2022 was a productive and fruitful year for you and that you continue to find success moving forward. We wish to take the time to thank our readers, the candidates, and the clients we work with daily for your support and for working with us in 2022.

In this time of reflection leading up to 2023, we took some time to review your favorite articles from 2022. Whether you’re starting a job search, looking for a little more value in your career, seeking industry knowledge, or navigating the tricky waters of a career change, these five articles particularly resonated with our audience and have something for everyone!

‘Let Go’ of Your Fear of Being Fired

Within the uncertainty of COVID-19 and detachment felt by many remote working employees, fighting through the fear of being fired is a common anxiety making work much more difficult for employees. Operating under this fear can be detrimental to daily job performance and mental health. It does not discriminate against rank, location, or industry. Similar to stress (and often inducing stress), fear drives us to a poor work-life balance and career burnout.

The first step towards seeing change is acknowledging your thoughts and accepting that they are not your reality. Initially revealed by Susie Moore, we break down five specific reasons you can and should push back against the fear of losing your job. 

Watch Out For These Red Flags On Your Next Job Search

In wake of the Great Resignation, many organizations are rapidly trying to attract talent. It’s a good time to be a job seeker, as experts believe 2022 is a year favoring employees. But while many companies are hiring and job seekers have a plethora of options, not all of those options are good. Navigating the job market can be like walking through a minefield as you try to avoid questionable organizations.

Thankfully, a well-prepared job seeker can avoid these “mines” by recognizing the red flags these organizations put out. Whether in the job description itself or based on statements you hear in an interview, there are telltale signs you’re heading for an unpleasant role. We’ll cover six of these major red flags to avoid during your next job search.

Thought-Provoking Questions To Ask Your Interviewer

Employers take tremendous value in the questions you ask during an interview because they will reveal your level of preparation, engagement, and curiosity for the position. Quit focusing on yourself and how your personal needs will be addressed in the role. Instead, ask stimulating questions to produce a quality conversation that reveals you are invested in the team’s betterment and showcases your unique value.

Captivate your interviewer and position yourself as the ideal candidate by asking these five questions:

Understanding And Overcoming Ghosting In Your Job Search

The dating world is scary enough as is, and that’s before considering the potential ‘ghosting’ that can occur. Ghosting, a phenomenon where a prospective partner ceases all communication, is common in dating. Another, more promising option will come along, some circumstances will take up a person’s time, or the person may simply resolve it’s better to disappear than have a difficult conversation.

While frustrating enough in the dating world, thanks to the sheer amount of potential applicants and the ease of using technology over face-to-face communication, ghosting has become extremely common in the hiring stratosphere as well. You may have a phone screening or even an interview and never hear from the company again. Recruiters may find a promising candidate, help them along their hiring process, and then get left on read.

We’ll examine the data behind ghosting, look at why ghosting happens, and provide job seekers will some ghostbusting strategies.

Assessing The Mortgage Industry: Top Trends & Statistics

Is the U.S. housing market overheating? Within the stability of low mortgage rates and high buyer contention, the housing market continues to be highly competitive. While it is a great time to be in the market for a loan, borrowers don’t quite have their ‘pick of the litter’ like in times past. Home prices continue to rise, as does the volume of offers placed on each listing. 

“Demand is robust throughout the country, but homebuyers continue to be held back by the lack of homes for sale and rapidly increasing home prices.” – Joel Kan, MBA Economist.

After assessing various expert opinions, knowledge, and studies, we have constructed the ultimate guide to the latest Mortgage industry trends and statistics entering 2022. Courtesy of the industry professionals with The Mortgage Banker’s Association, Fannie Mae, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Bankrate, The Motley Fool, TIME Magazine, & more!

Wrap up

As always, we’d like to thank all of you for your support in 2022! If you’ve missed out on any of these career tips, we hope you take the time to review them today!

Don’t hesitate to let us know what kind of articles were your favorite and what you would like to see from our content team in 2023!

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Testimonial: Former MLB Pitcher Slides Into Med Sales Role

At NexGoal, we take our athlete career placements very seriously – which is why our Project Coordinators spend so much time working with each candidate to put them in the best position to succeed. Once our candidates are placed, we like to take the time to share that candidate’s journey with all of you.

Our client is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of innovative healthcare products. The needs of their customers and their patients drive everything they do. Because of their dedication to excellence, innovation, and value, they seek those same values in their employees. They turned to NexGoal to find their next Respiratory Sales Specialist.

We were fortunate to make contact with Zach Seipel, a former MLB pitcher with the Atlanta Braves. Zach has a deep passion for the healthcare industry thanks to his mother’s experiences as a nurse. Over his three-year MLB career, Zach combined his love of healthcare and his athletic background by learning about the treatment and recovery of athletes. Zach’s dedication to healthcare, along with the competitive drive, coachability, persistence, and confidence that made him a successful athlete, made him a perfect candidate for our client’s opening.

Once Zach connected with NexGoal recruiter Brittany Brady, he knew it was the right fit. “The NexGoal team really gets the athlete experience and what former athletes like me can bring to an organization. It was clear they really knew their stuff,” Zach said of his decision.

Brittany and Zach formed an easy rapport, and Zach highlighted their interactions as a bright spot in the process. “I felt like [Brittany] really listened to me and understood me. She kept in touch regularly, was available to answer any questions or concerns I had, and provided valuable knowledge on what went on behind the scenes during the hiring process. ” Zach said.

It didn’t take long for Zach to get the job and begin his new career. “The process couldn’t have been easier. Job searching can be a pain, but with someone like Brittany and the [NexGoal] team on your side, it’s a lot easier. If you’re looking for a new job, I highly recommend reaching out to them.”

Over the past 10+ years, we have specialized in placing former athletes in careers with our various corporate clients. The core of our business surrounds athlete job seekers, and Zach was quick to recommend NexGoal to any other former athletes looking to make a career change.

“NexGoal truly understands what life after the game is like and how to help athletes pivot,” Zach said.

The NexGoal team would like to thank Zach for his valuable feedback and for sharing his journey, and we wish him continued success in his new role as a Respiratory Sales Specialist.

Are you looking to advance your career in the prestigious medical device industry? Your dream job is only a click away! We look forward to placing you in your next career. You can get started by filling out our Athlete Candidate page here.

Employers: Are you looking to bring on highly qualified candidates like Zach, who may not find you on their own? Reach out and discover how quickly we can connect you with top active and passive job seekers near you!

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Testimonial: NexGoal Helps Driven Salesman Achieve New Role

At NexGoal, we take our athlete career placements very seriously – which is why our Project Coordinators spend so much time working with each candidate to put them in the best position to succeed. Once our candidates are placed, we like to take the time to share that candidate’s journey with all of you.

As a title industry leader, our client is raising the standard of title service delivery and upholding a culture of professionalism, integrity, and performance. They attribute their success to their talent pool, and when they had an opening for a Commercial Sales Executive, they knew NexGoal would provide talent that would exceed their high standards.

NexGoal recruiter Brittany Brady reached out to Robbie Breuner, a resilient and relentless sales guru looking for a new position. Brittany immediately recognized Robbie’s talent and sales expertise, and it was clear he was the right man for the job. Once the process started, it didn’t take long for Robbie to receive the job offer.

Robbie lauded his experience working with Brittany and the NexGoal team. “I had an extremely pleasant experience. I was helped throughout the whole process and was given frequent updates” Robbie told us. “She was able to give me a lot of advice and tips and tricks. Her advice
was great and helped me land the job.”

Robbie felt that Brittany was there for any questions or concerns he had, and he said he had many throughout the process. “I am not an easy person to live with so I was appreciative of her patience with me,” Robbie joked.

Robbie was quick to recommend NexGoal to other job seekers thanks to the ease of the process, the knowledge and advice of the recruiting team, and the support he received. “And because Brittany is there!” he added.

Over the past 10+ years, we have specialized in placing former athletes and those with the athletic mindset in careers with our various corporate clients. The core of our business surrounds competitive-minded job seekers with valuable traits, and it was a privilege to work with a top-tier candidate like Robbie.

The NexGoal team would like to thank Robbie for his valuable feedback and for sharing his success story, and we wish him continued success in his new role as a Commercial Sales Executive.

Are you looking to advance your career in the thriving mortgage and title industries? Your dream job is only a click away! We look forward to placing you in your next career. You can get started by filling out our Athlete Candidate page here.

Employers: Are you looking to bring on highly qualified candidates like Robbie, who may not find you on their own? Reach out and discover how quickly we can connect you with top active and passive job seekers near you!

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