The Game Plan: Job Search Advice for Student Athletes and Grads (Inspired by "The Rivalry")

By Julia Levy (Ohio Native & Buckeye Fan for Life)

For those of us from Ohio, late November means more than just leftover turkey and pumpkin pie. It means The Game is finally here.

Ohio State versus Michigan is widely considered the greatest rivalry in sports. The stakes are personal in my house. I bleed Scarlet and Gray, but my husband, who isn't even a "sports guy," is from Michigan. He takes every opportunity to rib my dad about the rivalry. He recently used AI to generate a photo of my father with his face painted Blue and Gold standing in front of the Michigan stadium.

That is the level of pettiness and passion involved here.

I will spend this weekend screaming at the TV, stressing over every down, and hoping for a massive Buckeye victory. Yet even while I watch the game, I cannot simply turn off my "Recruiter Brain."

When I look at the field, I do not just see football players. 

I see the result of elite preparation, strategy, and resilience.

The modern job search feels much like a rivalry game. It is competitive and loud. You cannot simply show up hoping to win. As former OSU Coach Urban Meyer once said, "I have yet to be in a game where luck was involved. Well-prepared players make plays."

You need a game plan. Here is how to apply the energy of "The Game" to your career. This advice comes straight from the playbook of From Hi to Hired (available everywhere books are sold).

1. The Tailgate: Where the Real Connection Happens

The tailgate happens well before the coin toss. You freeze in a parking lot, eat chili, play cornhole, and high-five strangers simply because they are wearing the same colors. It is about community.

The Career Connection:

Too many candidates skip the tailgate to run straight onto the field of the application. They treat networking like a transaction where they immediately ask for a job.

The Winning Play:

I teach students in From Hi to Hired to become Connectors rather than Concierges. A tailgate serves as the ultimate Connector environment. You are sharing a common interest instead of asking for a favor.

Execute It:

Treat your informational interviews like a tailgate. Keep the conversation casual. Build rapport first. Bond over shared experiences, such as being an alum or following the same industry trends. Ask for the referral only after you have established that connection. If you build the relationship in the parking lot, they will cheer for you when you get into the stadium.

2. Scouting Reports Matter (Research is Everything)

The Buckeyes never walk into The Horseshoe on Saturday guessing what the defense plans to do. They spend the entire year watching film, analyzing patterns, and finding weaknesses.

The Career Connection:

Too many students walk into interviews with zero "game film." They know the company name and perhaps looked at the "About Us" page. That lack of preparation guarantees a loss in a competitive market.

The Winning Play:

You need to Target Problems instead of Postings.

Execute It:

Do not just read the job description. Go deeper. Read the company’s annual report and their recent news. Identify their competitors and their "pain points." You win the first quarter when you walk into the interview knowing their defensive gaps better than they do while offering yourself as the solution.

3. Special Teams: The Student-Athlete Advantage

I want to speak directly to the student-athletes for a minute. The transition from the locker room to the office can feel scary. You might worry that you lack "real" work experience because you spent four years at practice.

Stop that thinking right now.

I absolutely loved hiring athletes during my time recruiting for Fortune 500 companies. I hired a former student-athlete named James at my last company, and he was easily one of the best hires we ever made.

Why? Because in the interview, he didn't just talk about his stats. He talked about coaching and guiding his teammates. That mindset showed up in his day-to-day work. He exemplified leadership, took action without waiting for permission, and truly cared for his team.

The Winning Play:

Do not just list "Football Team" at the bottom of your resume. Translate it like James did. Talk about leadership, discipline, time management, and performance under pressure. These are the transferable skills that get you hired.

4. The "Red Zone" is Mental (Resilience)

Something will eventually go wrong in a rivalry game. A fumble, an interception, or a bad call by the ref can change everything. The teams that win are not the ones who play perfectly. They are the ones with short memories who reset to play the next down.

The Career Connection:

You will experience turnover in the job search. You will get rejected. A recruiter you thought liked you will ghost you.

The Winning Play:

This is what I call "Mining the No for Gold."

Execute It:

Do not let rejection take you out of the game. Ask for feedback if you get turned down. Pivot your strategy. Use that "No" to make your next application stronger. Resilience is the single most important skill necessary for 2025.

5. The Post-Game Handshake (Sportsmanship & Follow-Up)

The coaches meet at midfield and shake hands when the clock hits 0:00. This happens no matter how heated the trash talk or the tackles became during the game. It comes down to Respect.

The Career Connection:

We live in an era of "Ghosting." Candidates ghost recruiters while recruiters ghost candidates. It is easy to become bitter when you do not get the offer or lazy when you think you have it in the bag.

The Winning Play:

Your follow-up is your handshake. It remains the lasting impression you leave on the field.

•  The Thank You Note: I emphasize in From Hi to Hired that a thank you note is strategic rather than just polite. It is your chance to reiterate one last time why you are the best draft pick.

•  Graciousness in Defeat: Send a note thanking the recruiter anyway if another candidate gets the job. I have hired countless "Runners Up" for different roles six months later solely because they handled the rejection with class.

The Final Score

I am predicting a big win for the Buckeyes this Saturday. (And hoping my dad gets the last laugh over my husband!)

I also want a big win for you.

The job market is competitive, loud, and intense. 

However, as the quote says, well-prepared players make plays. You will end up in the end zone if you prepare like an athlete, network like a tailgater, and strategize like a coach.

Go Bucks! O-H!

Frequently Asked Questions for Student-Athletes & Job Seekers

Does being a student-athlete look good on a resume?

Yes. Recruiters at Fortune 500 companies highly value student-athletes for their soft skills. These include time management, coachability, resilience, and the ability to work under pressure,

How do I explain my lack of internship experience as an athlete?

Focus on "transferable skills." Frame your athletic commitment as a full-time job in your resume and interviews. Highlight leadership roles, discipline, and how you balanced 20+ hours of practice with a full academic load.

What is the best way to network if I don't have time?

Use the "Tailgate Strategy" by being a Connector. Focus on quality over quantity. Utilize your alumni network. Former athletes from your school understand your schedule and unique challenges better than anyone.