WHAT'S YOUR POISON?

SPORTS Recruitment, a Covent Garden-based recruitment agency devoted solely to jobs in sport, is three months old and already looking to add to its team of four consultants as sport business is booming. But there are still more candidates wanting to work in sport than there are jobs available.

What does it take to be a sport and stay ahead of the competition?

Why work in sport?

"Employ your passion" is Sports Recruitment's slogan. "Attitude to traditional careers is changing.

People don't want to be doing something they hate from nine to five every day," says partner Chris King.

"Career changers are prepared to take a pay-cut to do a job they enjoy.

Bright graduates are rejecting 30,000 starting salaries plus golden hellos at City consultants, preferring 15,000 to work in sport."

Areas of jobs growth include health-and-fitness brands such as David Lloyd and Holmes Place, now international and still expanding. Sports TV is burgeoning with the advent of premium television like ITV Sport.

Broadcasters need sales staff, but sports TV production requires television production experience.

In the past, governing bodies of sport have been "a little sleepy", but now they are looking for outside expertise.

Sponsorship is a further growing field, with a sports-wide audience appeal making them attractive to breweries, car manufacturers and other high promotion industries.

What are the highs of sport?

"The highlight of working in sports is being part of events like the Olympics or major tournaments, and meeting interesting people," says King.

"And working in an area you feel passionate about."

And the lows?

"Without a genuine passion for sport, the long hours and lower pay will get to you. People don't tend to do it for financial benefit," says King. And there are areas of decline. "Some new media brands are reducing staff and the doors are now shut."

Is there an average day?

Not really. But expect to work weekends and travel to tournaments.

Diversity of career paths adds to variety: commercial sport covers marketing, public relations, promotions sponsorship and events, while sports development involves working for sports' governing bodies.

Advice to wannabes "Be hungry, be keen, and remember there's always somebody else," says King. Ten years ago there were a handful of sports-related degrees. Now there are 40, so competition is massive. King advises that newcomers be up-to-date with the industry through trade papers and the internet.

* Sports Recruitment: 020 7845 7269.

* Berkeley Scott Central: 020 7377 1817.

* Berkeley Scott Express: 020 7439 4441.

* Harp Wallen Executive Recruitment: 020 7387 1010 .

* Talisman Retail and Personnel: 020 7307 1000.

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