The sport workplace/The employment interview

The interview for employment is usually a critical step for the aspiring applicant. The following checklist is provided for my university class who are studying industrial relations in sport. Part of this unit relates to obtaining a position in a sport organisation as industrial relations have most relevance for persons who are employed in the workplace! The points noted below will not all apply to every interview situation and students are advised to read through the checklist, consider the merits and relevance of noting the point made and file the checklist for future reference. I am happy for the list to be added to and that will also assist my students! Remember that the following are only suggestions and carry no guarantees! remember also, you are special people to your NISS (National Institute of Sport Sport/Sport Studies lecturing team. I am happy to assist any of you when preparing a job application or facing a job interview.

Prior to the interview

1. Learn about the (sport)organisation. What is its mission? What is its structure? Who are the key personnel? What are its main services and/or products? Check the sport organisation websites. Does it have brochures or information? Does it have organised tours you can go on? Are there any links on its website? Do you know anyone who has worked for that organisation? (Be prudent about what you accept as accurate as the person may have a particular stance on the organisation.) What information does your library have? What information is on other websites?
2. Prepare the folder you will take with you to the interview. Make it attractive and simple. It should be orderly and have material easy to locate if you need to use it to illustrate an answer. It will contain your CV and/or resume, copies of your professional card, your qualifications, references and, possibly, samples of your work or significant letters of thanks or appreciation. Check your letter of application and your resume and highlight the relevant points.
3. Where will the interview be held? Are you certain of the exact location? Time your travel to the site. Often it helps your peace of mind if you have a practice run of travelling to the interview place on the same day of the week as your interview will be held. Where will you park, if driving?
4. Arrive early - not hours early but with time to relax, to arrange to leave a coat or umbrella or briefcase with the receptionist, time to go the restroom and freshen up and time to read any extra information the receptionist may provide. An early arrival allows for traffic difficulties and also means you are on the spot if the previous interview finishes early or is terminated. (I know, I know, that could be a worry!)
5. Know what you will wear and dress appropriately. It is better to slightly overdress rather than appear to be too casual. If you feel really unsure about how to dress appropriately you could recall how employees were dressed when you visited the organisation or did an internship there or could check out the employees leaving the building if you are really uncertain! If you get really nervous and perspire readily then dress appropriately e.g. with a shirt or blouse that does not show perspiration. Some interviewers may make a judgement on your facility for tidiness, your apparent 'fit' with the organisation and thoughtfulness in dressing appropriately. (We advise against wearing board shorts or a brief mini-skirt and beach footwear thongs for most executive positions!) Take a clean handkerchief or tissues in your pocket - I know you are great students and will (probably!) not burst into tears but what if you sneeze - particularly if you are affected by hay fever?
6. Prepare a list of questions you could be asked and prepare your answers. Relate answers to your experience, attitude or qualifications.
7. Prepare your responses to questions on each of the selection criteria. Ensure you have concise but compelling examples to illustrate your replies e.g. situational examples of your ability to solve problems, handle conflict, show leadership, exhibiting of skills of communication or relating to a challenging employee...we will be discussing leadership in a later part of this unit and it is handy to have a definition of leadership that you can talk to.
8. Check yourself out with a practice, an interview simulation. You could video this to help you check your body language and general demeanour. have a friend or family member ask questions that you expect could be asked.
9. You may be required to undertake a police check or a health check for particular jobs. You may be required to sit a recruitment agency test such as an aptitude test, an IQ test or test of general knowledge or sport industry knowledge. You could read about these but remember you cannot get the job if you do not sit the test so relax and be thoughtful and honest!
10. Even if you want a nervous ciggie before the interview we suggest that you don't smoke beforehand as the smell of smoke hangs on to clothes. (Easy for me to say as a non-smoker but some employers are put off an applicant who reeks of garlic or cigarette smoke etc.!)
11. Remember - the challenge will not be in presenting yourself as much as it will be in knowing yourself...

At the interview

1. Turn off your cell phone - it's too late for that special person to call you with support!
2. Treat the receptionist pleasantly. They are important in their own right.
3. Ensure you know the names of the panel members from the receptionist, if this can be done,and their responsibilities or employer roles. Ask the receptionist to clarify any name pronunciation you are uncertain of. Yes, you may have the fabled memory of an elephant but do write the names in your folder. You may wish to write a name phonetically as well.
4. When you enter do mentally check the names off so you can address each person correctly. Do not use first names unless you are asked to do so.
5. Shake hands firmly and, immensely strong though you may be, do not have a crushing grip! Do not sit down until you are asked to do so.
6. Use clear, concise, coherent and compelling examples to illustrate your answers - do not overdo this though!
7. Don't give offhand replies or flippant retorts. So, ya gonna come out and say "I done well"...Oh no you're not! Use correct grammar, speak clearly, do not rush into an answer but do not unduly delay a response and use correct grammar and pronunciation. Make sure you avoid slang but do convey a sense of humour without being risque or telling jokes. If the interviewee is asked a simple questions such as "How are you?" they should treat the question with respect by not grunting "Okay" but simply replying with a statement such as "I'm very well,thank you."
8. Your body language is often critical in helping the interviewers make judgements about you. Sit upright and retain good posture. Have eye contact with your interviewer unless it is not culturally appropriate for you. Don't fidget. Do not shift aimlessly. Be firm in responses but not aggressive.
9. Avoid being negative. Some jobs are lost because the applicant made detrimental comments about a previous boss or employer! This may require you you to express what you feel is a potential negative comment or judgement in a more positive way. Instead of saying "S/he was useless!" you could say something like "I found some decisions difficult to follow as they did not seem to follow any gathering of information."
10. Avoid "um" and "ah". It is better to reflect briefly on the question and draw upon your experience and common sense than to stumble into an immediate reply. Do not rush into your answers.
11. If a drink is provided (it will probably be water!) then sip it - as against noisy drinking!
12. Look interested and do not let your mind wander - yes, you may have an exciting Sport As Entertainment lecture later in the day but, for now, CONCENTRATE on the interview! You need to listen carefully - if you are not sure what was asked, or something is unclear, then ask for clarification. Don't do this too frequently folks!
13. Avoid language that dates you.
14. If you are left in the room alone, while the panel retires then be sensible! I say that, having heard tales about an interview room (Board Room) that had a CCTV camera in it!
15. Do not check your watch while being interviewed - you can imagine the inference of such an action!
16. You may get some left-field questions such as "If you were a colour/dog/movie/famous person/plant/book etc. what would you be?" If not prepared for that then give a middle-of-the-road response that illustrates personal warmth and a sense of reality and/or efficiency...
17. In a reply you may want to add a rider saying you are happy to give more detail if required.
18. Be honest.
19. Avoid volunteering information that is not relevant or was not asked for.
20. Despite privacy laws against certain questions on private circumstances etc. there are still interviewers who ask these. If you are asked a question that you find unduly intrusive or unlawful or offensive then you could reply pleasantly by asking the relevance of that question to the job or position for which you are being interviewed. You could also give a reply such as "There is nothing in my personal circumstances that would adversely affect my doing a great job for your organisation." (You may wish to reflect later on whether you really want to work for someone who asks such questions.)
21. Possible questions...see A.6 and A.7 above.
22. Tell us about yourself (reply with professional/experiential information and a little personal information)
23. Why are you applying for a position with us?
24. What are your strengths and weaknesses? (Be honest but place your answers in the context of professional growth. A prospective employer would rather hear an applicant say "I messed that up initially..." than hear a cover-up or an example of such little importance that the applicant seems to hide something or not recognise their own faults. You could refer to your last appraisal if that fits.)
25. What are your professional goals?
26. Can you give us some examples of your leadership (or management) style?
27. How do you handle stress? (Please spare relating this to being in one of our classes!)
28. How would you handle a difficult client (or fellow employee)?
29. Are you planning to gain further qualifications? (You could relate this to what would best fit needs of your new position.)
30. What is the most difficult/challenging decision you have had to make in the workplace?
31. Can you give an example of a conflict situation you have been in and explain how that was resolved?
32. Are you an ethical person?
33. Why are you leaving your present job? (Be honest and explain how you have enjoyed it and learned a lot but want to expand your career in ways the present organisation does not provide.)
34. Why should we employ you? (The 'fit' their organisation has with your skills and experience and career development. Investment in you...you bring added value to the new organisation...specific relevant experiences...you feel you have made a valued contribution to your present employer but wish to grow further in the sport industry and are excited by the 'new' organisation...
35. Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years?
36. What is your present salary? (Be honest - you might wish to say something like "I am on the C salary scale in our firm which is the $75,000-$95,000 scale.")
37. If asked about what salary you are seeking in the 'new' organisation you could say you would like to wait until you and the 'new' employer agree that you are the best person for the job. You can say pleasantly that you are aware of your market value but job satisfaction is a critical factor with you.
38. Should you wish to ask questions, or if you are asked if you have any questions, then consider the following: Appointment date...Organisation's plans or goals for the next five years...opportunities for promotion..what is expected of you...orientation or induction programme...how you will be appraised...support for study or further training...if the organisation is part of an international sport body or one with overseas links you may wish to know if your appointment would give the opportunity to learn from overseas branches (I would not over-emphasise this when interviewed!)

PHEW...you know, we think you're going to get this plum job!

Post interview

1. Thank the panel - it would be a positive to thank them each by name when shaking hands.
2. Check on the next step in the appointment process.
3. Send a thank-you letter.
4. Do not be presumptuous in chasing up the interview before the due date!
5. If a recruitment agency is handling the appointment with the sport organisation then they may assist you in salary negotiations once you are appointed.
6. When you get home write down the questions you were asked and any relevant notes about your answers - just in case they were blind to your excellence and gave the job to someone else!
7. Remember! Only one person gets appointed and we all will miss out on a job some time! We then take learning from that experience into positives to maximise the next application and interview.