The most unique job search these days is probably the NFL draft. And it really is essentially just that: a job search. Candidates declare their availability, and hiring entities assess the available talent and decide who they are interested in adding to their roster. (Of course, beyond that the process veers away from the traditional job search as the concept of free will and competing offers disappears. Well, I guess that’s unless you are Eli Manning.)
As I watched the draft this year, like most people I found the Shadeur Sanders story impossible to look away from. Pre-draft predictions aren’t perfect to be sure, but I don’t believe anyone projected to be drafted so high has ever fallen so far before finally being selected. Sports pundits have mused about the reason for the historic slide, and it seems that most are placing the blame squarely at the feet of Shadeur.
While most of the time comparing the employment experience of an NFL player to the rest of us mere mortals doesn’t make a lot of sense, in this instance there are lessons anyone looking for work can glean from Sanders’ draft experience.
It’s not about you. You need to demonstrate to the business how hiring you will benefit them. The value that you bring needs to produce results for the entire organization, not just you personally. A bit of humility can go a long way.
Preparation is crucial. NFL teams reportedly said that Shadeur approached the team interviews more like recruiting meetings than job interviews. A gifted athlete has likely had many meetings with college recruiters, and those going well could result in over confidence. Preparing for each team conversation thoroughly and understanding the uniqueness of each organization may have elevated his status and desirability.
Let experts help you. Shadeur made a conscious choice to not have an agent at this stage. Hiring an agent to walk you through the team meetings isn’t free, obviously, but having their guidance throughout the process could have easily paid for itself with a higher draft slot.
Family help may hurt. Every employer recognizes the significance of a background replete with relevant, high-level knowledge and experience, and the value of just being around someone who has performed at the highest level of their profession. But no company wants that great background to be demonstrated via a helicopter parent.
The lessons from Shaduer Sanders’ draft experience extend far beyond football. Whether you’re entering the NFL or any other field, humility, preparation, and a willingness to seek guidance can make all the difference. No matter how talented you are, success often depends on how well you adapt, learn, and work with others to achieve shared goals.
