Learn From The NFL Draft And Recruit Like The Pros
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Job placement

  • Matt Hendershott
  • Athletes, For Employers, Recruiting
  • April 27, 2022

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.

Analyze your team’s needs

Scouting is a major part of the hiring process, but it starts with self-scouting. Know your team’s strengths and weaknesses. An NFL team may need a wide receiver, but they won’t just bring in anyone to fill the role. They need a good scheme and cultural fit. What can that prospect do for your team that others can’t? How can they fulfill the team’s unique needs?

Ask yourself what the ideal candidate would look like. Maybe you’re a tech recruiter and you need someone a little more specialized this time. Perhaps you’d like your next shift manager to have stronger people skills. The insight you can from self-analysis will put you in a better position before you even start researching candidates.

ATD’s Angel Green recommends shifting to a continuous performance management process to keep analyzing your team’s performance. The more frequently you self-scout, the more prepared you’ll be when a need arises.

“Is a position about to open because performance is lackluster in an area? Do you need to add a utility player? Add some strength? Build for the future depth?  By constantly having a pulse on how your players are performing, you can be strategic in your recruitment efforts.” –Angel Green

But don’t reach

The flip side of the above point is to avoid simply hiring the first person that checks your boxes. In the NFL, a team may “reach” for a position of need when there are better options on the board or they could get the same player much later. A team may need a quarterback and take a less polished option early while other teams are getting quality players ready to make the jump.

Gut feeling matters, but don’t ignore analytics. The best resumes are data-driven and provide tangible measurements of performance. Just as the NFL has more analytic data available than ever before, use all available data at your disposal before you make the hire.

Bet on traits

A college football prospect is almost never a finished product. Even the best can’t-miss prospects need time to adjust to the faster, stronger competition of the pros and to learn the more complicated playbooks. Instead, what makes a player desirable is the traits they possess. Teams will bet that possessing valuable traits is enough, and the player can learn the “teachable” skills down the road. NFL scouts swear by intangibles, traits like confidence, mental toughness, and coachability, as some of the most important traits.

“Some guys carry themselves like they’re hoping something good happens. Other guys carry themselves like they expect to make something good happen. And [with the latter], you really can feel it.” –Stephen White, former NFL defensive lineman

Your hiring search is best served by following the same philosophy. You may have a deep wishlist of traits and skills you’d like your next hire to have, but it’s rare you’ll find someone that possesses them all. Decide what skills are a priority for you. Many soft skills, including communication skills and adaptability, are highly-transferable and hard to teach. Meanwhile, proficiency in a specific software may be something easy to pick up as the employee gets acclimated.

Consider floor vs. ceiling

NFL teams must balance players that can come in and play right away versus players that can become future superstars. You may find a player that seems pro-ready, but they might not get much better than they were when you drafted them. Meanwhile, a player with desirable traits in need of polish can lead your team to glory with the right coaching.

Are you looking for someone who can come in and fill a role immediately, or do you want to nurture growth and find someone that can play a major role for your organization in the future? Every organization needs both, and there’s no shame in being a role player or depth piece. But it’s important for scouts and hiring managers alike to look at a candidate’s floor and ceiling.

Sell your team

In the NFL, players don’t get to choose their employer, but neither party is served by a bad fit. A player telling a team they won’t want to play for them isn’t unheard of. Job seekers, meanwhile, DO get to make their choice. Modern Hire reminds us that interviews are a two-way street. You need to sell your organization and why you’re the best fit for this prospect.

Have a backup plan

You never know how the board will fall in the NFL Draft. You may desire a player, but your rival gets the chance to draft them before you do. In the business world, your ideal candidate may take a more lucrative offer or seek a benefit you just can’t meet. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. Good NFL teams will find multiple players to fit their needs, and you need to as well.

Remember that we said to avoid reaching. Don’t stop interviewing after you find one candidate you really like. Continue to do your research and gather data. In that way., you’ll be prepared for anything.

Wrap up

There may be no “business world draft”, but recruiters can learn a lot from the big leagues. NFL teams must constantly evaluate their needs and choose which traits to prioritize, and a savvy organization will do the same. Embrace the above strategies and recruit like the pros!

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  • Matt Hendershott
  • Athletes, Job Search Tips, NexGoal Community, Success Stories, Testimonial
  • January 28, 2022

Testimonial: Former Soccer Player Lands New 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 has consistently developed innovations to improve patient care and developed worldwide distribution for their products for over 60 years. As an industry leader in the medical device world, we knew that only the best would do for their Respiratory Sales Representative opening.

And we knew our candidate, David Phillips, was the best. We were fortunate to be able to work with David, a former soccer player who attended Malone University and Bowling Green State University. With his pleasant demeanor and athlete’s drive for success, we knew David would be perfect for our client’s opening.

David was contacted by one of our recruiters, Brittany Brady, who saw David’s potential and reached out. “From beginning to end [Brittany] was so helpful and punctual in all aspects. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to make a career change to reach out to anyone at Nexgoal, especially Brittany, and have them help. They will get the job done! She did for me!” David said on the process.

Brittany and David were in touch through the entire process, and David praised Brittany’s poise and availability. “She also helped me navigate through a very uncomfortable and unfamiliar spot and made it so comfortable for me. Without Brittany, I don’t think I would be working in this new role.”

David spoke highly of NexGoal following the process and recommends the NexGoal team for anyone looking for a new position. “NexGoal takes it very personally and cares about you and where you get placed. They will do anything to make sure you get the job you are fighting for!” David exclaimed.

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 David was quick to advocate 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 David for his valuable feedback and passionate words, and we wish him continued success in his new role as a Respiratory Sales Representative.

Are you looking to advance your career in the thriving medical device 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 David, 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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  • Matt Hendershott
  • Career Change, Recruiting, Testimonial
  • November 9, 2021

Testimonial: Former UTA Guard Accepts New Mortgage 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, a nationwide leader in consumer direct and traditional mortgaging, keeps its partners, clients, and communities at the centerfold of everything they do, and they offer the number one CRM operating system in the mortgage industry. With their commitment to people and the community, they were looking for a like-minded Senior Loan Officer to join their Dallas, Texas, team.

We were fortunate to be able to work with Rodrick Epps, a former point guard for the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. A leader on and off of the court, with his driven attitude and proven skills as a licensed Loan Originator, we knew Rodrick would be a slam dunk for the position. Rodrick’s four years of successful mortgage industry experience meant that this would be a seamless transition.

Rodrick said his decision to work with NexGoal was easy once he spoke with one of our recruiters, Emma Sullivan.

“Emma presented herself to be very helpful and professional in reference to facilitating the career opportunity. I really enjoyed the ease of communication and being informed thoroughly throughout the process. 10 out of 10 experience,” Rodrick said. The two stayed in regular contact throughout the process, and Rodrick said Emma was always available for any questions or concerns he had.

Rodrick praised the NexGoal team following the acceptance of his new position. “Others seeking a new career opportunity or a new opportunity in the same field should choose NexGoal because you will experience an easy-going streamlined process while having any and all concerns alleviated.”

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 Rodrick was quick to advocate 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 Rodrick for his feedback and kind words, and we wish him continued success in his new role as Senior Loan Officer.

Are you looking to work for an industry leader and advance your career in the mortgage 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 Rodrick, 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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  • Jake Pshock
  • Career Change, Recruiting, Success Stories, Testimonial
  • June 11, 2021

Job Placement: How We Helped A Mortgage Professional Land A New Role

At NexGoal, we take the placing of our active candidates in their new careers 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, a nationwide leader in mortgage lending, prides itself on its elite customer service offerings and a culture built on respect and open communication. Through their cutting-edge technology and content, they have cemented themselves atop the mortgage industry. Recently, we had the pleasure of connecting our Cleveland, Ohio client with a well-tenured mortgage professional, Mary Tucciarone. Through 20+ years of Personal Banking experience in the Financial Services industry, we knew Mary would be an excellent fit for our client. She joins the growing list of highly qualified candidates we have helped place into a new career.

When asked about her experience working with our recruiter Clare Sullivan and the NexGoal team, Mary had this to say: “I can’t say enough great things about Clare. She always kept me informed and prepared for the next steps. She was very professional and easy to work with.”

At NexGoal, we take pride in placing candidates through all walks of life with our corporate clients. When discussing the specifics of working with Clare and how she helped set us apart from traditional recruiting firms, Mary stated: “Clare [Sullivan] was truly great to work with. Having someone that can speak on your behalf and be proactive in communicating with both sides was instrumental in my application and hiring process.”

In revealing why active job-seekers should come to NexGoal when looking for their next career, she stated, “It can be extremely difficult to find a job these days. It was great having a team like NexGoal dedicated to helping me.”

The NexGoal team would like to thank Mary for her thoughtful remarks, and we wish her continued success in her new role as Mortgage Loan Originator!

If you desire to operate in a happy and stress-free work environment for your next step in the mortgage industry, we have the opportunity for you! We look forward to placing you in your next career.

Employers: Are you looking to bring on highly qualified candidates like Mary, 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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  • Jake Pshock
  • Career Change, NexGoal Community, Testimonial
  • June 9, 2021

Candidate Testimony: New Placement in the Network Industry

At NexGoal, we take the placing of our active candidates in their new careers 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 experience with all of you.

Our client is a Gartner-recognized leader in Managed Mobility Services (MMS) providing world-class support and services to organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Last month, we connected with a tenured network industry professional, Michael Materna, in finding him a long-term home. After graduating from The University of Akron in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems: Networking, Michael had two separate stints as a Network Engineer and Network Security Engineer. With a total of seven years of industry experience, we were able to seamlessly match Michael with our highly reputable client in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He joins the growing list of highly qualified candidates we have helped place into a new career.

When asked about his experience working with our recruiter Emma Sullivan and the NexGoal team, Michael had this to say: “Emma did an outstanding job placing me with my current employer. She was very professional and helpful getting answers from the employer that I had.” He explains further, “She was able to match my skillset with a great company in the Cleveland area that was looking for my level of skill which is a very difficult task for any recruiter.”

At NexGoal, we specialize in placing candidates from all walks of life with our various corporate clients. Entering the specifics of working with Emma and how she helped set us apart from traditional recruiting firms, Michael had this to say: “I think I might be at my best job yet thanks to Emma helping me get this position. Emma worked hard to find a qualifying position for me and she made it look easy and painless.”

In revealing why current job-seekers should come to NexGoal when looking for their next career, he stated, “NexGoal found the perfect job for me. My [new] employer is happy with the talent she was able to find so it’s a win/win for everyone. I would highly recommend Emma for anyone looking for a career change!”

The NexGoal team would like to thank Michael for his thoughtful remarks, and we wish him continued success in his new role as Security Analyst!

If you’re looking to take the next step in your career and need some help or guidance along the way, start by filling checking out our Candidate Inquiry page! We look forward to placing you in your next career.

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About NexGoal

NexGoal is a corporate recruiting firm placing athletes and job seekers with the athlete mindset in their next career.

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