Why Should You Hire Former Athletes?

At NexGoal, we specialize in matching organizations with top-tier talent with a focus on former athletes and those with the athlete mindset. 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.

Goal-oriented

No matter the sport, every athlete is a competitor striving for ascending heights. Their goals may be different, but each athlete is working towards an ever-changing finish line. From making the varsity squad to becoming a world champion, everyone starts somewhere and creates a clear vision of where to go next.

All Business’ Jon Forknell points out that this teaches former athletes to excel both on their own and as part of a team. Both of these tenets are highly desirable in the professional world as well. Athletes know that to achieve their goals, they’ll have to put in the work themselves. The coach isn’t taking the shot for them, writes Forknell.

But most sports are a team effort, and even those that aren’t can benefit from teamwork. Knowing how to succeed as a team to help the squad reach its goals is crucial for athletes and professionals alike.

Coachability

Think of your favorite athlete. No matter how gifted they are or how much inherent potential they had, it took years of coaching for them to achieve their goals. An athlete’s willingness to grow and accept criticism, feedback, and direction from a mentor is something that serves them well in life after sports.

“If you aren’t able to humble yourself and submit to the coach, you’re not playing.” –Vaughn A. Calhoun

GradLeaders points out that even solo sport athletes have coaches. Someone that grew up being coached and knowing how to accept criticism without becoming offended will be off to a better start in the workforce than someone less disciplined.

The contemporary career climate evolves at breakneck speed thanks to ever-changing technology and world events. Being able to accept guidance is critical to keep up.

Balanced

Being a student-athlete can be tough as you’re expected to wear different many different hats (sometimes literally). Balancing academics with team events, practices, and games, potentially for multiple sports, means that athletes must have excellent time management skills and the ability to balance their many duties.

“Playing a sport through high school and then in college, and maintaining a good GPA is not easy. It reflects very nicely on the resume of an athlete, and shows to the potential employer that the person can manage their time effectively.” -Chris Valleta

Not only does this make former athletes fantastic at scheduling, but they know how to prioritize and compartmentalize in the workplace. A former athlete is well-positioned to know what tasks to prioritize and how to stay focused when things get hectic.

Emotional strength

Being an athlete isn’t all glory. Because of the competitive nature of sports and other extracurricular activities, most of those in any given event will not be the winner. It takes a lot of effort to win, but one must also learn how to lose with dignity.

Businessman and former NFL player Chris Valletta says that athletes having a network of teammates and coaches helps facilitate a sense of belonging, a boost in mental health, and a group to lean on in hard times, helping keep them strong.

Athlete Career Placement mentions an athlete’s discipline as one of their most valuable traits. Knowing how to focus on a goal and compartmentalizing failure in order to focus on the next steps give them an edge in staying emotionally strong when things get tough at work. The past few years have shown that changes can happen quickly, and having the emotional strength to come out on top is crucial.

Wrap up

Remember—one didn’t have to play a sport at a high level to have the athlete’s mindset. Not all had the privilege or physical gifts required to have a long sports career. These intangible traits we recognize from former athletes are found in many, and these are the types of candidates that can truly make an impact in your organization. Consider former athletes and those with the athlete mindset for your next opening and you won’t be disappointed with the results!

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook
Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More

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!

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook
Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More

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!

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook
Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More

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!

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook
Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More

Testimonial: Recent Success With Mortgage & Title Industries

At NexGoal, we take our 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.

Through our own trial and error, we learned a lot about the workplace landscape through the pandemic, and we’ve strived to work with innovative employers with excellent corporate culture. We’ve had great success working with industry leaders in the mortgage and title industries, and we recently placed two top-tier candidates in new positions.

One of our recruiters, Brittany Brady, connected with Suzie Harris, an experienced escrow professional with excellent customer service and relationship-building skills, and helped her find a new home as an Escrow Officer with one of our industry-leading clients.

Suzie found her hiring process to be quick and painless. “She was extremely fast, thorough, and friendly. I was hired quickly!” Suzie said on her experience with Brittany.

Suzie lauded Brittany’s responsiveness and professionalism throughout the process. “The communication and through process was great,” Suzie said.

Brittany also linked with Afia Owusu, a dedicated property manager specializing in multi-family HUD properties, after finding her resume online. After getting to know Afia, Brittany was able to quickly find Afia a new role with our client, a full-service community bank dedicated to providing a wide range of high-quality banking services delivered in a personalized, friendly manner.

“The process was so simple.  It literally took less than a week from when I posted my information on Indeed,” Afia told us.

Afia was a perfect fit for our client, who made an offer quickly after their president spoke with Afia.

“[NexGoal] definitely linked me up with my dream position.” -Afia

Both Suzie and Afia recommended NexGoal to any job seekers searching for extra assistance in their job search. “Nexgoal made my career goals at this point of my life come true,” Afia wrote.

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 top-tier candidates like Suzie and Afia.

The NexGoal team would like to thank Suzie and Afia for their valuable feedback and for sharing their success stories, and we wish them continued success in their new roles.

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 Suzie and Afia, 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!

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook
Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More