Advice: Applying for a job with a hockey team: what should I need to know?

[Newfoundland]

Growlers ECHL have a part time job opening for cleaning the ice and assisting with off ice stuff, did anyone here ever have a job at that? How are interview processes typically?

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[shoeshine boy]

are they actually going to pay you? I have a couple of friends who do this for Atlanta Gladiators and I'm pretty sure they get nothing or close to it. they're not doing it for the money though.....

 

[JoeCool16]

I don't know what the job requirements are. but "off-ice team stuff" sounds like street crew (IE, doing promo, working booths at malls or in front of grocery stores, going to hospitals/schools with players). I'm pretty sure this is a paying job, since the Growlers do fairly well for attendance.

The interview will be like any other, but there'll be a portion where they'll want to hear about your on-ice hockey abilities, unless you've already been screened for that. They'll want to hear proof that you can skate, so be prepared to talk about your junior experience, level, etc, to show that you're not going to be using the ice-clearing shovel to stay up.

Aside from that, they're going to want to hear that you're energetic, love working with people of all ages and backgrounds/love meeting new people (especially if you're doing street crew work/engaging with the fans during the game), and that you don't stress/fluster easily. Good luck, and if the interview goes well, make sure you ask questions!

 

[jw2]

Know rink basics. Does this include driving a zamboni? If not, make sure you can skate.

Be dependable/reliable, always willing to help out, take direction, team player, etc.

They want an employee not a hockey expert.

 

[cynicalcitizen]

Be sure to ask how many no call no shows you get.

 

[nhlfan79]

are they actually going to pay you? I have a couple of friends who do this for Atlanta Gladiators and I'm pretty sure they get nothing or close to it. they're not doing it for the money though.....

I've been with the Glads since their second season, so 15 years now. This past season was the first time we've been paid, rather than just volunteers. I credit the new ownership for acknowledging our time and labor (especially long days, like the ice install), instead of taking our help for granted. As you said, I don't do it for the money, but it does cover gas and supports my hockey gear obsession!

I didn't formally interview. I was simply introduced to the crew chief by a hockey teammate who was already volunteering. Because I was already regularly coming to games, I was happy for a credential for free admission and a pre-game media meal.

What I do on the ice crew is not hard work, but it does require dependability, professionalism, and a willingness to do what's asked in the way they want it done. If you can be a good team player, it's a lot of fun with some nice fringe benefits, like off-hours opportunities for your own personal stick time on professional ice!

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Is it a paying job? They usually arent at part time, and if they are it's min wage.

 

[Jumptheshark]

my one suggestion as someone who has worked off ice with a team and been in place where people were hire(but you can ignore my advice)

it is a job and make sure you are taking it for the right reasons--

I helped out with one the British Elite league teams a few years ago and was doing interviews for a person to be a mascot and grunt work for a season

I had several people apply for the job that were looking for it to be a quick stepping stone to meet people and step into upper management and be at the big table.

I did ten years of grunt work here in the UK and there is a lot of competition for those top jobs and it is not as glamorous as some would like to think and most of the time--you do not get paid and you never get involved with the actual business side of stuff. You get a task list and list of where you go and what you do.

A lot of fans think it is easy behind the scenes but it is not.

lot of grunt and spade work

 

[Sam Spade]

If you are willing to work for free (for a bit), and have a particular skill it is easier than you think to work for an NHL/AHL team.

Hockey Jobs, NHL Careers, Employment | TeamWork Online

 

[Jumptheshark]

If you are willing to work for free (for a bit), and have a particular skill it is easier than you think to work for an NHL/AHL team.

Hockey Jobs, NHL Careers, Employment | TeamWork Online

Comes down to perspective.

A lot of those jobs are arena based or sales based and you wont be the arena on game day

 

[tarheelhockey]

Lots of good advice upthread.

One thing I would add -- be sure to mention any "value added" skills that could be helpful in this role*. If you can drive a zamboni, or know how to operate a scoreboard, or have experience setting up and taking down boards/glass, those are the kinds of things that can make you more of an asset than someone who can't. A "jack of all trades" is very helpful in the kind of environment you're applying for, where there are a lot of tasks that have to get done correctly in a short period of time, and any one of them can be a last-second crisis. And just as important, that you're the kind of guy to pro-actively jump in and add an extra set of hands, not just stand around watching.

* don't overshoot the target and mention things that aren't relevant to this role. If you drop that you're Six Sigma certified, they're going to (rightfully) conclude that you're just biding time for another job.