Ever since we started Soccermetrics Research, we’ve received a number of enquiries from people who are interested in working with us, even if we had no job postings on the site.

Now, if you are going to send a CV to seek employment at a company that’s not actively looking for people, you’re going to have to send something that gives the recipient a really good reason to consider you.  Or stated a different way, you must prevent the recipient from creating a reason not to consider you.  With that in mind, here are the following guidelines:

• Always send a cover letter.  That’s really non-negotiable.  If you can’t be bothered to write a cover letter, we can’t be bothered to open your resume file.
• Send a well-written and coherent cover letter.  This is a tough one for us because many people who send us something speak or write English as a second language.  Nevertheless, there are plenty of services around who will proofread and edit professional letters.  Use them.  A poorly-written letter gives us reasons to not consider you.
• Communicate why your skills and expertise make you a good fit for Soccermetrics. This requires you to not just be articulate and able to express yourself clearly, but it also requires you to learn more about what we do and what we’re about.
• Please, please, skip the self-marketing boilerplate.  Yes, we get that you’re a smart, driven, passionate guy or gal.  Now will you tell us what it is that can actually do?
• Also, please stop saying that you’re willing to work for us as a volunteer.  We can’t do that for a bunch of legal reasons, and we think it’s unethical for for-profit companies to rely on unpaid help to get stuff done.  Have some self-respect — you’re worth more than nothing to a potential employer.
• Be succinct.  Yes, it’s funny that we’re making this point at the end of a long paragraph, but we’re not in the mood to read a two-page cover letter.  Or a full-page one, for that matter.  State your interest, state your skills, state why we should remember you, and then be done.

We love it that so many people want to join us, and we recognize that the job market is tough and not getting easier anytime soon. But do your homework, write a clear, succinct, and engaging cover letter, and who knows – we might remember you when we are looking for someone!