Resume/ interview advice

For high school or college jobs?

It would be for a HS varsity head coaching position.

1. Resume: List your coaching experience and playing experience especially if you played and/or coached beyond high school. Parents will want a guy who knows what it takes to get their sons to the next level.

2. Interview: First make sure you know ahead of time why the position you want is available. Coach retire? Parents drive him out? Problems with the AD/principal? Know beforehand because the questions you get will involve how you would handle whatever the previous coach could not/would not. Questions from the AD will more likely center around baseball practice organization, your flexibility with other teams for gym space (Long Island snow or rain!), and your temperament - he doesn't want you screaming at kids, umps, fans, etc. The principal will want to know how you will monitor the players during the school day - I assume you are not teaching in the building? If not, have a good answer for that question because that is VERY important to administrators, teachers, etc. that coaches will closely monitor their players' behavior, grades, etc. during the day and hold them accountable. A principal will also ask about willingness to fundraise because his budget is cut more every year. Basically, you want to come across as a guy who can relate to kids well, will be a positive influence on players, and won't develop into a problem. They have enough problems. More players want off-season programs as well so be able to address that as well.

3. Portfolio: If I was interviewing, I would create a small portfolio that included my resume, quotes or small testimonials from former parents, players, administrators, umpires, AD's, principals, and anyone else that can speak on your behalf. I'd put all those first in the portfolio. I'd include sample practice plans (indoor and outdoor), form letters to parents I've used about tryouts, off-season workouts, etc. Off-season lifting/running programs if you have any. You don't have to create a book. Just show them that you are organized and capable of handling a varsity program and that you pay attention to the details for the benefit of all involved.

Hope this helps. I could write more but I'm sure others will add stuff as well. Good luck!

BaseballByTheYard.com

Sorry, I don't mean to hog the thread but I thought of something else ...

These are the problems the AD and principal face very day:

AD: Player eligibility, phone calls from parents about playing time, calls from opposing fans complaining about his coaches' mouth or conduct, equipment stolen out of the locker room, complaints about field conditions.

Principal: budget, parent complaints, quarrels over facilities and maintenance, grades and discipline

In the interview, be sure to give them comfort that you, your players, and/or your program won't be part of all those problems or complaints.

Your not hogging... I appreciate the tips. Anyone else?

Lot's of great advice from Meach. He touches on knowing who you are, how you would handle things, what you are stepping into and how to be prepared to confidently lay out your vision. All very important. But there is also the other side of the coin.

The principal and A.D. will be your bosses and will want to know that you will work with them and for them regarding any items high on their agenda. Be sure to collaborate during the interview. Yes, be confident in expressing how you think things should be done but also ask what they think are the most important attributes and what their goals are for their athletic programs. Then, if true, talk to them about how you will go about helping them achieve their vision and goals as well as yours.

Lastly, right or wrong, these things can often come down to who you know and/or who knows you. Don't be caught off guard here. Think this through from both standpoints. Who has a voice in the school system that thinks highly of you? Use those connections and resources. Is there anyone who is influential in these matters that does not think highly of you? Be prepared to address or defend. Also try to know ahead who will be on the interview panel. Who do they know that knows you, etc. etc. That said, if you are coming into a new school and don't know anyone, not all is lost. Most schools seem to go thru cylces where, on occasion, bringing someone in who is brand new and has no connection to the school can be a preference.

If you know who you are competing against, don't address that directly but emphasize some of your strong points that you know your competitor/s may not have.

Oh, and by the way, if you think the interview may result in your favor, be sure you leave with a good understanding of what level of support you can expect when the inevitable parent complaints come up.



Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Great additions cabbagedad! Very true!

Thanks for the interview advice. Anyone have insight on a good coaching resume. How about a portfolio to bring on an interview? Any AD's care to comment? All ideas welcome.

Good stuff. Cabbagedad, the suggestion about who you know etc. is great advice. In my interview so many years ago, I had to deal with my "reputation." I was prepared for that. In an interview for the A.D.'s position,I had to deal with it again. I didn't get the A.D. job but got the head coaching job. The answer was the same. The background of those doing the interview were different. So, knowing who is doing the interview and some of their background might be of benefit.

Per portfolio, I included a resume listing both school and community coaching positions. I included the names of references of head coaches in the area that knew my work and they included both basketball and baseball backgrounds. I included other stuff like handouts that I had created over the years for players and parents. I had a couple of practice plans included. Lastly, I had a sketch of improvements that I wanted to make to the baseball facilities. Oh,I had knowledge of the players coming back and knew some of their families from legion ball. That helped as well.

quote:

First make sure you know ahead of time why the position you want is available. Coach retire? Parents drive him out? Problems with the AD/principal

Good advice. If the above is the case think long and hard as to whether you even want to put yourself in that situation. The problem is that situation is becoming more frequent. You want to work with people who have your back.