January 6, 2015

Sport: good for your health, great for your career!

We all know that we need to exercise for both our physical and mental health, but what about exercising and talking about that active lifestyle in our work life?  Well, it’s time to get talking because the benefits of sport on your career are twofold.

Firstly, it’s great for your daily working life; it boosts your productivity, gives you higher energy levels, increases your ability to concentrate and because you’ll be healthier overall, you’ll spend less time off sick and racing to catch up. I know when I do a session of yoga in an evening, I’ll sleep deeper and feel more refreshed in the morning compared to the days when I haven’t done any exercise.

Head of Youth Opportunities at GoThinkBig, Fiona Ellison, plays netball twice a week and attempts to go to at least one other gym class a week and she’s certainly seen the benefits:

“I’ve been through a really busy time at work over the last few months and really found that my exercise routine suffered. As a result I felt more lethargic, got a cold (I never get ill) and didn’t feel quite myself. I know I need to fit exercise into my routine as a way to feel more energised. That translates back into work. If I’ve got more energy then I’m better at work and able to pick things up more quickly,” she says.

So it’s great for when you’re in work, but what about when you’re applying for a job?

As well as spending time thinking about examples of how you’ve lead a project and whats been your proudest achievement to date, don’t forget to consider how you’re going to include your active lifestyle in that application and/or job interview.

Last November City A.M. cited a study from Sheffield Hallam University which “found that participation in sport has a direct, positive impact on your career” in all areas, from higher pay packets, to being less likely to experience unemployment and being attractive to employers.

It’s this last point that you need to remember when you’re going for a job. An employer might already recognise those ‘soft skills’ in you, but just to be sure, spell it out to them. Tell them you lead an active lifestyle and as a result you’re a team player (literally), able to work under pressure and have the best time management skills. It doesn’t matter whether you do mindful exercise such as pilates or yoga, solitary activity such as running or team sports; you’re still gaining discipline and determination as well as the aforemention soft skills.

“I often use taking part in sport as an example of time management in job interviews,” says Fiona.”Playing for a netball team means I have to be organised about when I’m leaving work, getting the match team organised etc – I don’t think you should ever underestimate the impact that this has to demonstrably show your abilities.

“I particularly think playing competitive sport or having a sporting challenge you’re working towards, rather than just going to the gym, has a beneficial impact at interviews. It shows your self-motivated and can work towards goals you set,” she adds.

You might have chosen to join that netball team, go running or take out that gym membership to just get healthy, without any thought as to how it would benefit your career but it will, so start shouting it from the top of that hill you’ve just hiked up and see where it takes your career…

Written by Stephanie Bolton

@StephanieBolton