1 answer
Samantha
Student
Bay Shore, New York
4
Questions
Updated
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What makes applicants stand out in the sports world? How can I improve my resume to work in sports?
Tips to work in sports
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1 answer
Barry Abrams
Host/producer - "In The Gate" thoroughbred podcast at ESPN
37
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Barry’s Answer
Hi, Samantha!
Thanks for reaching out. The sports world is no different from any other career path in how you go about differentiating yourself.
It is going to take time to do that. Why? When you are starting out, there is always someone bigger, faster, smarter (or insert other adjective) than you are. It’s no different from being an athlete.
However, if you keep trying, you will eventually find that there is something that either 1) you can do, which others can’t, or 2) you will do, which others won’t. That’s when you find your niche/competitive advantage.
An example - I narrate audiobooks. I’ve performed over 100, but I am not nearly as classically trained as an actor as some of the biggies of this industry. However, after 8 years of this, I realize that there are not too many who can handle the growing genre of sports books.
Those brilliant dramatic actors are not going to perform a sports-related book as well as I will. While no one wants to be labeled a 1-trick pony, sports (given that my day job is at ESPN) is a calling card for me.
The point is that it took me several years to establish myself in that genre. Keep doing what you are doing and you will find the niche that becomes your trademark or calling card. I hope this helps!
Best regards,
Barry Abrams
Thanks for reaching out. The sports world is no different from any other career path in how you go about differentiating yourself.
It is going to take time to do that. Why? When you are starting out, there is always someone bigger, faster, smarter (or insert other adjective) than you are. It’s no different from being an athlete.
However, if you keep trying, you will eventually find that there is something that either 1) you can do, which others can’t, or 2) you will do, which others won’t. That’s when you find your niche/competitive advantage.
An example - I narrate audiobooks. I’ve performed over 100, but I am not nearly as classically trained as an actor as some of the biggies of this industry. However, after 8 years of this, I realize that there are not too many who can handle the growing genre of sports books.
Those brilliant dramatic actors are not going to perform a sports-related book as well as I will. While no one wants to be labeled a 1-trick pony, sports (given that my day job is at ESPN) is a calling card for me.
The point is that it took me several years to establish myself in that genre. Keep doing what you are doing and you will find the niche that becomes your trademark or calling card. I hope this helps!
Best regards,
Barry Abrams