Interview Tips

In today’s ultracompetitive job market due to the economic hard times we are currently facing, jobs and especially making it to the interview process are hard to come by. An article in The Wall Street Journal, shares do’s and don’ts with individuals in the search of a career opportunity. Here are some of the tips that the article enlightened me with:

Do’s
-Stand out for the right reasons
-Show up 10 minutes prior to interview
-Firm handshake
-Do your homework on the job (research)
-Make sure you are a strong fit for the position
-Wait at least a week before checking on your candidacy

Don’ts
-Arrive 1 hour early for a interview
-Discuss your financial hardships
-Talk about projects you completed with previous employers
-Be over aggressive
-Let employer know that you are only looking to stay with the employer for a short time period
-Over enthusiastic
-Talk pay until you have been offered a job

In reading this article I realize that the information is targeted more for candidates looking to land a job in larger business in the cooperate world. With this said, many of the tips can be helpful for candidates pursuing and field of work. The take home message that I learned from the article is be a great self-promoter of yourself and don’t bring your outside anxieties and problems into a interview. Always remember when interviewing, "There's a fine line between enthusiasm and over enthusiasm."

Turnover in Division I Basketball Hits Record Low

USA Today reported that the number of division I institutes that will start the 2009-2010 college basketball season with a new head coach has tied an all time low. Next year if there is no more turnover there will be 24 new head coaches in division I. This ties the fewest turnover since 1966 when there was also 24 new head coaches. The problem with this is in 1966 there was only 182 division I basketball programs and going into the upcoming season there will be 330. One of the big reasons for the minimal turnover is in the last two years there have been 124 new coaches hired in these combined two years.

I can tell you in my small amount of time in coaching that the wait is definitely worth it. If you are someone that is looking to get into college coaching this might not be the best year. I would stay the course and keep pursuing your dream because it is a special game and there is no career more rewarding. Continue your climb on the ladder of success and don't let anything or anyone get in the way of your dream. It is always important to remember that if you, "love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!"

Hard Times

Came across an article in USA Today that talks about major college athletic programs taking great financial hits due to the struggling economy. As I read the article I started to realize that no program no matter what division (I-III) or financial backing was safe from the economic down-turn. Mike Cleary, executive director of the 6,500-member National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics had this to say on the topic,

"I don't care how big and how wealthy they are, this is going to impact everybody."

Looking at the economic situation I realize that this might be a serious problem that affects people associated with athletics for the next few years. I can tell you that this year especially more then other years there are not many jobs available at the collegiate level. No one within an athletic department is safe from these cuts and these dwindling funds and we must make the best of the situation.

Many major sports programs are seriously considering cutting lesser sports and only retaining the more revenue producing sports. I think as coaches that we have to realize that we are here first for the students. The last thing that will be cut is a whole athletic team. If it wasn’t for the students we would be out of jobs completely.

A problem with many young coaches is they look for “instant gratification”. At an economic time like this instant gratification is very rare. We must weather the storm and support our athletic department and do what is best for the student-athlete. We will pull through these hard times and we will be stronger coaches because of the experience.

Many times when I see other young coaches trying to make it to the “Big Time” they are not willing to put the time or effort in. These individuals are not willing to do the small things that will lead to the big things. At this time many young coaches because of the economy might have to take a giant step back in their career and take a pay cut or a lesser job. If you are one that believes in yourself you will stay the course and become a better coach in the long-run because of these early struggles. I strongly believe that one of the most special things in life is accomplishing a goal that was extremely hard to obtain. If you are a true coach and are doing it for all the right reason this small bump in the road will not keep you away from a great profession.