In this episode of the Business as a Football podcast, David delves into the hidden job market within the football industry, highlighting the critical role of networking in securing job opportunities. With a striking statistic that 70% of roles are filled through referrals rather than traditional applications, David then shares personal experiences and insights, including the challenges faced when applying for competitive positions at top clubs like Manchester City. Additionally, the episode offers practical advice on how to navigate the industry, such as volunteering and joining community groups to uncover unadvertised roles.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Hidden Job Market: Approximately 70-80% of job roles in the football industry are filled through networking and referrals rather than public job postings, highlighting the importance of building connections.

• Networking Importance: Networking is crucial for career progression in the sports industry, with 85% of professionals indicating that it played a key role in their career advancement.

• Application Statistics: Only 12% of applicants secure roles through job boards or interviews, while most positions are filled through internal moves or direct referrals, emphasizing the need for personal connections.

• Volunteering as a Pathway: Many roles, especially in coaching and scouting, often start as unpaid or volunteer positions, which can lead to paid opportunities and valuable connections within the industry.

• Social Media Engagement: Candidates who engage with club staff on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter are 40% more likely to receive a response when reaching out, indicating the value of online networking in the job search process.

BEST MOMENTS

"70% of job roles or job opportunities in the football industry come from referrals and only like 20 or 30% people who are actually hired have come from actually applying for a role on a website."

"Top clubs receive about 500 plus applications per public role... they probably get like a thousand... and you're just thinking, you know, when I was like that, I was like, oh my God, there's a thousand other people that want the same role."

"Most football clubs... get more than anything else because that role is obviously really unique. Scouts at Premier League clubs are five times more likely to be hired via recommendation than they are for an open application."

"85% of sports industry professionals say that networking played a key role in their career progression... their network is effectively the reason why they've landed the role they have."

"Average time spent reviewing a CV is seven seconds... it goes to show that it doesn't really work."

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HOST BIO

Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launch his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetize & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience. Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.