Job Offer / Interview

Are you knowledgeable of the College Coaches Convention Jan 5-7 in Anaheim, California.

Over 1,000 college coaches will attend and many seminars. My son will operate the SSK exhibit booth.

In the interview discuss the importance of teaching and your special skills as a teacher.

Learn the "inside" of the game, Study, study, ask questions!!!  The art of communication.

Bob

Since you were looking for some fashion advice -- How about a button down shirt and khakis?  Can't go wrong in "business" not athletic wear I think.  You will be walking around so you want to be comfortable but shorts/sweats do not make as "professional" of an impression.

Some questions -- again since you will be touring, always good to ask about new construction, priorities of the University/athletic department/baseball program.  

Oh, and congrats!!

What division? What division were you an assistant at?

It is at a DIII JuCo in Texas. I was a student assistant for the club teams I played for at a JuCo and 4yr University.

Thats a great place to start!  Son just got his first coaching job and lucky it was a paid position.

Be yourself, dress casual on the preppy side, no t-shirt or jeans.

Good luck.

Why do you want this job?

Why should I hire you?

Be confident in yourself. Be humble at the same time. Good luck

Wear a suit and tie (that match). It never hurts to be properly dressed for an interview.  If they throw out a comment about "losing the tie", use it as an ice breaker. Here's an article that may help:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse...s-for-a-coaching-job

Good luck!

While I agree with the business casual of khaki's and a polo shirt I really could care less about dress as an interviewer (assuming it's nothing crazy).  Obviously, I've done my interviewing at the high school level but not a huge difference.  Summer of 15 we had to hire a new football coach and we brought in 5 people for face to face interview.  Three of them wore a jacket and tie.  Two of them wore cargo shorts and a polo.  The two in the running for the job ended up being the shorts and polo guys.  End of the day they stood out based on how they performed in the interview, how prepared, their answers, their questions and their history.  Don't get so caught up in looking good you forget to be good.  But business casual is the way to go for this interview.  

Best of luck!  And the fact that you're asking questions and preparing now already tells me you will do well in this interview.

Learn everything you can about the program and the coach before the interview.

Remember that you're also interviewing him to see if you want him as your boss.

Have a credible explanation for how you will survive on the non-salary of a volunteer assistant.

Ask questions about his plans, priorities, preferences, practices, recruiting plans, operations management and what he expects out of the position you're applying for. Be prepared to explain how you can fit into his program, help execute his plans and run his operation smoothly.

Create a final impression of commitment, enthusiasm and energy. If true, conclude the interview by affirmatively declaring that you want the position and are all in on helping his program succeed.  

Best wishes,

Do be a listener!  Asking too many questions can backfire.  You are looking to get started so asking questions about new construction, facilities, etc., could backfire.  

I think the best approach is to tell them you are hungry to learn and you are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to become a great coach in the future.  Then tell him what you believe your current best strengths are, but even those can be improved. Tell him that you're ready to go to work.

At that point, he can't help but be impressed.   He will probably ask some questions, be sure to answer them honestly.  Don't be a know it all, that could backfire!  

While coaching in college we had a player that spent most of his time on the bench as a reserve first baseman.  Every time I would move from one spot to another in the dugout, there he was right behind me.  It was kind of spooky and one day I asked him,  why are you always shadowing me, every time I turn around, there you are. He answered, because I plan to be a coach and I want to learn as much as I can about the game.  That answer pretty much shut me up and made me really care about that young man.  The next year he was almost like an assistant coach, and we made him into a pitcher.  That actually got him into some games and he did well.  He truly was a student of the game.  He later did go into coaching and has made quite a name for himself.  In fact, he spent several years coaching at a Big 12 power program.  I gave him the strongest recommendation possible.  Still see him once in awhile, we are great friends!

One thing about baseball... There are many know it all types so those most interested in learning tend to stand out.  Who would you prefer, the guy that thinks he knows everything about the game or the guy that really wants to know as much as possible?

As far as clothes, I would recommend a really nice pair of slacks and a nice button down shirt.  It is less formal than a suit and tie and more put together than a pair of khakis....and make sure the interview goes both ways.  If you're going to make the investment of not a non-salary job, make sure the coach is one who will mentor you and be willing to help you grow.  Good luck !!

I would disagree a bit with PGStaff. Do ask questions, just make sure they are focused on you doing the job, how you can help him make the program better, etc., not about what he's going to do to make your life better.

Go with Swampboy suggestions--Ask questions about his plans, priorities, preferences, practices, recruiting plans, operations management and what he expects out of the position you're applying for.

Worst job interview I ever had I asked a million questions, they asked four. I was convinced they weren't interested. When they offered me the job, they said I was the only one who seemed really interested in it. An interview is a conversation, not a one-way street. Make sure this is what you want too!

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. In the time that has elapsed in the past few days, I have been truly blessed and now have four job meetings. Two JuCo and two NAIAs..... Both JuCo meetings are on the same day, this Friday. Both are in the same conference and same city. The NAIA positions are two weeks from now, before Thanksgiving.

Anymore advice with that information?

I mean... What in the world do I say if someone formally offers on the spot now? "Sorry, can't say yes yet, waiting to see about other jobs." doesn't exactly hit the ear correctly

Man, this just became so stressful but in a way a lol.

Anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Clearly, if you know it is the perfect place for you when they make the offer, accept.  But, if you have a few interviews lined up that you want to get through, tell them, "Thanks for the offer!  I'm excited about the opportunity to work here.  May I think about it and get back to you soon - the end of this week?"  And get as many of the specifics as possible, in particular, compensation and when would you begin.  

Then, when you interview with the other schools, if you find one that you like better, you may end the interview with, "I really want the opportunity to work here.  I don't want to rush your decision, but I do have another offer that I have to act on quickly.  Is it possible you can let me know something soon?"    

I don't think anyone particularly expects you to jump at an offer immediately.  Also, no one expects for you to sit idly by between each interview waiting for the decision before you go to another interview.

I want to take the time to thank everyone for their help.

It's worth informing everyone who helped me that have been offered (and accepted) a PAID position at a JuCo! My role is Asst. Coach / Recruiting Coordinator. I will probably be posting more questions of all kinds on other sections of the website, so feel free to chime in if you wish.

This is totally life changing and everything is moving at 100MPH.

Again, thank you for all of your responses!

Can you say where? We may cross paths.

Congratulations!

A JuCo in Houston.

ironhorse posted:

Can you say where? We may cross paths.

Alright! So, how did you dress for the interview?

2forU posted:

Alright! So, how did you dress for the interview?

Well, first four interviews I wore a black polo with dress pants and dress shoes. 

The fifth school who gave me an interview ended up being a school in the city I wanted to be in so I went all out and bought a suit.