Issue link: http://pgaofcanada.uberflip.com/i/1081896
14 | PGA OF CANADA - HIRING PRACTICES OF A PGA OF CANADA PROFESSIONAL JOB SEARCH: IT IS A VERY COLLEGIAL INDUSTRY. It is not uncommon for professionals to refer their own employees for better / more senior-level-opportunities elsewhere. For more information about networking and connecting with industry leaders, Tee Talks Live and the National Teaching and Coaching Conference series provide ample opportunities for young members to make an impact. WHAT ARE HIRING MANAGERS LOOKING FOR? THEY WANT ENTREPRENEURIAL PEOPLE WHO ARE CREATIVE, SELF-STARTERS AND WHO CAN GROW A BUSINESS USING FRESH IDEAS. For professionals trying to break into the industry or who work a second job during the offseason, some factors that hiring managers see as important include: • Younger people who have started businesses. • People who have held front-line customer service positions at fast food restaurants, hotels, etc. • "Natural born" salespeople. (sales experience) HOW IMPORTANT IS PLAYING GOLF? Hiring managers do not voice any concerns about a skills gap in candidates' ability to play the game. Only at private clubs is playing ability particularly important. Professionals at private clubs should have the ability to play to the level of the most talented members when called upon to do so. However, at the largest private clubs, professional jobs may be so segmented that playing ability may not be important at all (ex: a professional to manage the shop, a professional to manage group / event sales). At public and resort courses, guests are less likely to request to play with the PGA of Canada Professional. Teaching seems to be a different dynamic. The interviews did not provide a clear consensus on what makes a good teacher. Some hiring managers believe playing ability translates to teaching ability, while others believe there is no correlation. OVERALL, THOUGH PLAYING ABILITY CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH AN ADVANTAGE IN CERTAIN ROLES, THE INDUSTRY IS SO VAST PROFESSIONALS ARE ABLE TO FIND HIS/HER NICHE REGARDLESS OF HIS/ HER LEVEL OF PLAY.