Player Efficiency Rating
Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a scoring system used in basketball to measure how valuable a player is to their team. Think of it like a report card that combines all of a player's contributions - scoring, rebounding, assists, and other statistics - into one simple number. This makes it easier for teams to compare players and assess talent. It was created by sports writer John Hollinger and is widely used by NBA teams and sports analysts. While there are other ways to measure player performance like Plus-Minus or Win Shares, PER has become one of the most recognized methods in professional basketball.
Examples in Resumes
Developed training programs based on players' Player Efficiency Rating data trends
Used PER analytics to identify top recruitment targets
Created scouting reports incorporating Player Efficiency Rating and other key metrics
Typical job title: "Sports Analytics Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Sports Analytics Specialists
Professional Networks
Job Boards
Conferences & Events
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you use PER data to make strategic decisions about team composition?
Expected Answer: Should discuss how PER can be combined with other metrics for personnel decisions, salary negotiations, and team strategy planning. Should mention limitations of PER and how to account for them.
Q: How would you explain the value of PER to coaching staff who prefer traditional statistics?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to translate complex statistical concepts into practical basketball terms, showing how PER relates to on-court performance and team success.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the main factors that influence a player's PER?
Expected Answer: Should explain how different game statistics contribute to PER calculation, including scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, and turnovers, in simple terms.
Q: How do you identify trends in PER data over a season?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain how to track changes in player performance, account for variables like injuries or schedule difficulty, and present findings clearly.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is PER and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that PER is a comprehensive statistic that measures overall player contribution, and why it's valuable for player evaluation.
Q: How do you gather and organize PER data?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic data collection methods, common basketball statistics databases, and simple analysis tools.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of basketball statistics
- Data collection and organization
- Simple statistical analysis
- Report creation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced statistical analysis
- Trend identification and analysis
- Performance prediction
- Data visualization
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic decision-making
- Complex analysis methodology
- Team performance optimization
- Analytics program management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic basketball statistics
- Inability to explain complex data in simple terms
- Lack of experience with sports data analysis tools
- No knowledge of professional basketball operations
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Automated Scorecards in ATS Systems: Your Secret Weapon for Smarter Hiring Decisions
Resume Optimizations that Candidates Do to Get Past AI Hiring Filters
Unlocking the Competitive Edge: Benchmarking Your Talent Acquisition Metrics
