When you think of teamwork, what comes to mind? For me, the joy of watching teams from around the world compete in the Olympics last month is top of mind — a picture of teamwork at the elite level.
As professionals in the golf industry, how do your view of teamwork, actions related to teamwork and messaging about teamwork in a job search impact your career? Simply put, the answer is that it can be the difference maker in landing your next job and realizing your career goals.
When we survey hiring managers in the golf industry, teamwork remains at the top of the list of qualities desired when hiring golf course superintendents, assistants and equipment managers. In this month’s column, let’s explore the three teams you are already on and how to use them as a springboard in attaining your gold medal career.
Maintenance crew
This is your most obvious team, and you are not just part of that team, but many of you are the coach. When working with GCSAA members to prepare documents and messaging for conducting a job search, I typically bring up questions related to teamwork as we build a résumé and begin interview preparation. The tendency for turf professionals is to fall back on answers only listing typical crew supervisory functions. I encourage you to go beyond just explaining your responsibilities to your crew and underscore how much you value, support and develop your team. When describing maintenance achievements, highlight your crew and examples of ways you generated teamwork in working toward a common goal of improving the golf course and amenities for golfers. And don’t forget the simple yet powerful strategy of using the word teamwork in your career documents and interview answers.
Golf facility
The second team you are on is the leadership team for your golf facility. This is a gold mine for stories and examples to demonstrate your teamwork at an elevated organizational level. Highlight events and activities when you collaborated with the other leadership team members, such as the banquet director, chef and pro shop staff. Describe how you came together as a team to provide an outstanding experience for your customers. Portray how you are a valuable part of the leadership team and its impact on your overall golf facility in reaching its goals related to finances, reputation and standing in the community. By telling these stories, you are conveying to the hiring committee that you are not just focused on turf management, but rather that you understand there is a bigger purpose and mission in your role as part of the overall golf facility team.
Game of golf
Think about all the fans around the world who were glued to their TVs watching Scottie Scheffler win the gold medal with an amazing comeback at the Olympics. Those same fans are your customers and teammates in advancing and growing the game of golf. GCSAA’s mission statement includes improving communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf, and we are all part of that mission. The men and women serving on hiring committees at golf facilities who will receive your job application are those same fans cheering on Scheffler. The common denominator among hiring committee members is golf — a love of the game of golf, not turf and a love of turf. I will remind you of my favorite quote that I coined as the best approach for career success in managing golf courses: Golfers love golf, not turf. I encourage you to adjust your communication accordingly to convey that you are part of the larger team of golfers advocating for the game you (and they) love and win your career gold medal.
Carol D. Rau, PHR, has been a career consultant and speaker with GCSAA since 2005 and specializes in golf and turf industry careers. Rau is a frequent speaker at national, regional and local GCSAA conferences and teaches GCSAA webinars.