A good athlete is an attractive candidate
. The key values associated with sports include resilience, the ability to push past one’s limits, the drive to improve, and—in team sports—team spirit. These are all qualities highly valued by managers and fairly easy to highlight in the job market.
Not all physical activities are created equal
: don’t dwell too much on them in an interview if you haven’t achieved notable results—for example, in a marathon if your race time is over three hours, or in equestrian sports if you haven’t progressed beyond a level 3 or 4 canter after age 25
Team sports rather than individual sports
Not all sports hold the same appeal; as a general rule, it is easier to promote a team sport than an individual sport because, in both the private sector and the public sector, people work in teams
Expectations vary by industry
: Participating in a sport does not have the same impact across all sought-after sectors. Group physical activities are highly valued in sales, where employees are expected to establish good communication with customers and motivate their teams. Conversely, luxury companies seek more elite profiles; in this case, ballet or horseback riding provide a competitive advantage over other activities.
Sports shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all of your strategy
; the importance of physical activity tends to fade after ten or fifteen years: the higher the position, the more the experience and skills you’ve acquired make the difference. Be careful not to overdo it, because “a true champion is humble.” There’s nothing worse than a candidate who highlights their athletic achievements but is unable to answer a few basic questions about that activity.
inspired by Start Echoes