Interviewing for the first time can be an exciting yet nerve racking experience. I know I found my mind racing with what questions could they ask, what should I ask the panel, who will be interviewing me, how many rounds do I have to go through, is this the right fit, etc.
Ultimately, preparation can put your mind at ease. Luckily, I worked for some great coaches, but more importantly my father was a coach so I had a great resource. I am writing this article because, like a previous post I wrote, the first time I stepped out to interview for that head job there was not a lot of information out there. As I stated before, I was lucky because I had great mentors to fall back on.
Here are a few tips, but by no means is this a comprehensive list. This may help you in preparing for the interview process.
1) Resume: Have a professionally done resume. Find someone who doesn’t have to be a sports administrator to review your resume and offer improvements. Ask if you can see examples they have of good resumes. I am lucky my wife is in corporate recruiting. She sees resumes all the time andwas invaluable in making mine look professional.
2) Organize Your Ideas: Create a professional portfolio of your plans for the program should you get the job. Coaching is a people business so no plan will cover every situation or person, but having the guidelines down shows the administration you have thought of situations and are prepared to handle them. In my time I created a program manual, parent manual, player manual, & and assistant coach manual. In these booklets I outline everything about the program from philosophy, scheme, discipline, academics, community service, fundraising, and & expectations. It is important to write these things down, and even update from time to time as a head coach. Because, when a situation arises or an interview question comes, the administration at the high school level will want to know what your policies and procedures are.
3) Portfolios: Along the same lines as #2 – once you have put your ideas to paper and organized them, have them them reviewed by someone you trust. Do not just place them in a folder. Go to an office supply store and have your items professionally bound. Just like dressing well for an interview is important, that first look of your manuals will speak volumes to the interview panel. Makes copies for the panel to keep. You don’t need to have one for every person on the interview. It helps, but have enough to be shared around as the team interviews you and that you can leave the materials with the committee. Program Manual
4) Know Your Audience – who will be on the panel interviewing you? Try to learn who will be asking questions, what role they play in the program and the school, what the concerns may be, and what the expectations of the different people are. Also, many places have preset questions to be asked at the interview. Our county has a set of questions that is asked of every candidate as set forth by our County AD. Try to find out what those questions are so you can do a little homework.
5) Practice: We practice our players constantly. It therefore makes sense to practice your interview skills, especially if you are not used to that situation. Reach out to your current head coach or AD and see if they would create a mock interview and provide you with constructive feedback. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be in the moment.
6) Contacts: Leverage your contacts. Be proactive and don’t wait for the school to call your references. Talk to your references ahead of time and ask if they would make a call on your behalf. Most times you would be surprised to learn how quickly people will move to help you.
7) Dress appropriate – You are preparing to become the CEO of an organization. Appropriate dress is of the utmost importance. First impressions mean everything!
8) Follow up: – always follow up with the committee. The next day or later that night send an email thanking the committee for their time. State that you are truly excited about the opportunity and look forward to hearing from them. Leave no doubt in their mind that this is where you want to be.
Again this list is by no means comprehensive. Every situation is unique and different. Knowing the situation you are walking into is important. Do as much research as you can to find out why the job is open, are there issues, what type of support do you have, etc. Most of all prepare, prepare, prepare. Don’t let the job you really want slip through your grasp. Good luck!