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AFM Magazine


Avoiding Major Mistakes in the Interview Process

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Networking: Make the Most of Every Opportunity
Resume Tips - The Do’s and Don’ts
Dealing With The Media During The ‘Silly Season’
Avoiding Major Mistakes in the Interview Process
How to Handle Coaching Salary Negotiations
Should a Coach Employ an Agent?
A Little Psychology For A Winning Focus In Job Interviews
I have been a high school principal for over 30 years and have had the opportunity to hire a head football coach at three different high schools. I would like toshare with you some interview tips that will help you with your next opportunityto compete for a new position.

Here are three examples of First-and-Goal: Red Zone opportunities to improveyour chances for a successful interview to get your next job:

1. Learn about yourself
2. Learn about the position and its responsibilities
3. Learn about the expectations of the position

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF

The most important key to a successful interview is that you have the abilityto tell the interview team who you are, what you are capable of doing and whatyou can accomplish. In order to do this, you must do something that some of ushave trouble doing, which is to simply write down your greatest strengths andbe able to give examples of each. My suggestion is that you list three to fiveof your most powerful characteristics (strengths) and memorize them.

If you are applying for a position in public education that you are expectedto teach, I strongly recommend that you include a statement about your desireto work with student athletes, and your ability and drive to be a successful “classroomteacher.” If this is not one of your top three strengths, I suggest youread no further if you are thinking about coaching in a public high school.

The key to identifying your three greatest strengths is when you are asked aquestion is to include one of your three strengths with your response. This maysound a little “cheesy,” but I must tell you it will support youranswer every time. Think about one of your strengths right now ... keep in mindwhile I ask you some typical interview questions that I have seen stop high-poweredapplicants dead-cold in their tracks. Just remember to include in your responseone of your (3) strengths, and see how much easier the answer becomes.

QUESTIONS

1. Why do you want to work here?
2. What is your energy level? Describe a typical day?
3. What aspects of this position do you consider most crucial?
4. What have you learned from previous jobs you have had?
5. What are your qualifications to be a head coach here?
6. Can you work under pressure?
7. What is your greatest strength? (skills)
8. What are your outstanding qualities? (personality/character)
9. Why should I hire you?
10. What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?

I hope you see how you can enhance the interview teams opportunity to not onlyget to know you, but they will also hear many times over, in a different questionsstructure, your strengths.

Questions 5-10 will really catch many applicants off-guard if they have not thoughtabout themselves carefully as it relates to their perceived strengths.

I would also add, that the very best way to close an interview, when asked “Isthere any thing else you would like to add”... of course thank the committeefor the opportunity to interview, but also, take one minute to close with yourthree strengths.

LEARN ABOUT THE POSITON AND ITS RESPONSIBILITIES

The sign of a well-prepared applicant is to know some important information aboutnot only the job he/she is applying for, but also about the school and the community.

This is great information to casually bring into the interview when asked a questionthat aligns with your personal observation of the setting.

For 95 percent of coaches applying to teach in the public high schools, you aregoing to be told that 90 percent of your salary is for teaching and 10 percentfor coaching. Although a true statement, it is my opinion that 90 percent ofcoaches are fired for a poor win/loss record and only 10 percent for inferiorteaching. But – and this is important – I am not aware of very manygood school districts that will hire an average or below average teacher to bethe head coach when all things are put into the mix of selecting a coach.

Sell your ability to teach in the classroom every opportunity you have duringthe interview. A personal note, I have never hired an excellent coach that wasnot an excellent teacher in the classroom. So my point, not all excellent coachesare excellent teachers and not all excellent teachers make excellent coaches;but they are out there, and you will have a big-time advantage if you providethem with that perception.

LEARN ABOUT THE EXPECATIONS OF THE POSITION

What are the expectations? How many assistant coaches? Will I share facilities?Am I assisting in other sports? Booster Club? Weight room? Lots of questionshere. The key is to find what you need to know from others prior to the interviewand ask the questions that have not been answered at the interview. I believeit is not a strength to dwell too long on expectations, and that you should spendmost of your time on your “strengths” and general “responsibilities” relatedto your coaching and teaching assignment.

INTERVIEWS: 4 SPECIAL ‘SCORING’ OPPORTUNITIES

• POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS: Should be short and to the point. Can be an effective visual and also demonstrate your skills and familiarity with technology.

• VIDEO TAPE: A tape of a practice, game, pep assembly, TV interview, etc., all enhance opportunities for the interview committee to know you better.

• PLAYBOOK: A collection of information – as long as it is yours – related to your philosophy, expectations, player development, etc., could be a nice lead into discussions; or a strong follow-up to questions asked during the interview.

• STRONG REFERENCES: Strong support that you are an effective teacher, coach, and have excellent character can be effective tool as a first impression of your coaching abilities. But the real value will be noted if your references are needed as a follow-up when the final decision is made. As a side note, always make sure that you have permission to use someone as a reference, and it is also a good idea to inform them that they may be contacted related to your interview.

Here are some additional questions that you might consider when preparing for an interview. I am convinced that, just like on the football field, it is much better to be prepared for several types of questions you could be asked, than to be stopped in your tracks because of a question that you have never before heard.

• What is your coaching philosophy?
• Do you have “personal” or “team” goals?
• Where do you expect to be in 5 years?
• How would your players describe you?
• Provide an example of dealing with parents in a difficult situation.
• Describe your offense, defense or team strategy.
• Describe your experience and philosophy of handling a team budget.
• What will be your role be as head coach with: Students? Parents? Staff? Administration? Community? Media?
• What is your philosophy of an off-season program?
• What is your philosophy of the weight room use?
• What is your philosophy of students participating in other sports?
• Give a brief outline of your philosophy regarding team discipline?
• What are some characteristics of a successful football program?
• Describe how you would organize a typical weekly practice.
• What expectations do you have of your assistant coaches?
• How would you support the other sports at our school?
• What request do you have of administration if offered this position?
• What one piece of equipment would you add to the football program that could be used on the practice field?
• Describe your procedure for finding football scholarships for deserving student athletes?
• Do you play the best athletes on both offense and defense, or do you platoon 11 on offense and 11 on defense?
• Administration has concern about a skit the football team is going to use, what would you do if something embarrassing happens?
• An athlete breaks a team rule, and should be dismissed from the squad. The administration gives you this information (drug issue). How would you handle it? The media wants a quote from you, what would be your statement?

I hope you have better insight into some of the very powerful things that you can do to improve your chances of a successful interview. I strongly believe that if the interview team does their job, the best candidate will surface. I also believe that the best-prepared coach has a greater chance of getting their next coaching job if they are ready for the Red Zone.

Dr. John Laurie is the principal of Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kansas, and a contributing writer to AFM.






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