Scouting
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How and where to apply as a soccer scout?

You’re ready to take the plunge and start your training to become a soccer scout – but there’s one problem: you don’t know how or where to apply for a position as a scout.

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Yanis Ait Mohammed
How and where to apply as a soccer scout?

You’re ready to take the plunge and start your training to become a soccer scout – but there’s one problem: you don’t know how or where to apply for a position as a scout. 

Finding an employer – most often a club – can sometimes be challenging when working as a football scout. But don’t worry. This guide is here to walk you through, step by step, how to land a position as a player recruiter. And if you’re unsure what kind of salary you should be asking for, check out our dedicated article on football scout pay to help guide you.

How to apply for a job as a soccer recruiter?

Before finding out where to apply as a soccer scout, it’s essential to understand how to go about it. Every year, clubs hire new recruiters in the hopes of identifying young, talented players who can make a difference in the years to come. 

Prepare your résumé 

To get noticed and have a real chance of joining a club quickly, you’ll most likely need to start with a résumé.

In fact, if you want to apply for a position as a soccer scout at a club or youth academy, your résumé is absolutely essential – for two key reasons: 

  1. It can help you land a position even if there’s no active job opening
  2. If it’s well done, your résumé will make you stand out from other candidates who applied for the same soccer scouting position as you. 

At the end of this article, you’ll find a real-life example of a player scout résumé

Don’t know how or where to apply as a player? Creating a strong résumé is the first essential step to start your job search!
If you really want to stand out on your résumé and make a real impact both on paper and on the field, consider completing a training program. Scout training courses give you valuable experience and skills and are highly regarded by recruitment centers, which pay special attention to résumés that show completed training. 

The contacts

The world of football is a relatively close-knit community. Many coaches know each other – often former players from the same club – and recruiters and agents frequently cross paths. Friendly, even amicable, relationships are common.

You might be lucky enough to have contacts who also work in this sports field. If so, don’t hesitate to talk to them about your desire to become a football scout. If you’re talented, you could quickly spark a club’s interest thanks to a close contact who recommended you. 

Where to apply as a soccer scout?

Now, onto the most important part: where can you apply to become a soccer scout? Several options are available to you, although finding a position in a scouting department is generally more challenging than in other industries like fashion retail or big-box stores. 

  • You can look for job postings on employment websites.
  • You can be proactive and make cold calls.
  • You can do your research on the official websites of clubs

Job listing websites

Jooble and Indeed are the two main platforms to look for job openings as a football scout in a training academy. However, be aware that such job listings are quite rare. 

Cold-calling

Not seeing any clubs or training centers hiring soccer scouts? Be proactive—visit or call the clubs directly! This approach can be especially effective if you know how to present yourself well to your contact, usually the sporting director or the club’s scouting department.

Keep an eye on clubs’ websites

This is probably the best way to find a position doing the job of your dreams. If you don’t know how or where to apply as a soccer scout, the official club websites should be your first stop. Professional teams usually have a dedicated page for sports recruitment. There, you’ll find various job postings to become a player, advisor, scout, agent or other roles.

You’ve reached the end of this article – congratulations! You clearly have a genuine interest in this career. Without further delay, check out an example of a soccer scout résumé that you can use as inspiration to start your job search with confidence.