So, you want a coaching job?

In the course of my fifty years of coaching I have been fortunate to have had great mentors, influences and role models. I learned very early that I was not entitled to anything I had to pay my dues and earn the right to move forward. I constantly had to prove my competence and continue to improve.

In today’s world with increasing specialization and fast tracking I worry about the up and coming generation of coaches. This is an attempt to help guide this generation as to what matters in coaching. Start here with this as a self-evaluation exercise. Use this to create a profile of yourself beyond your resume.

• Statement of Philosophy of Training and Coaching (Two Paragraphs Maximum)
• Specific Short Term and Long-Term Goals
• Education and relevant course work
• All Coaching Experience – In any sport at any level. Specifically, whom did you coach? What were your actual coaching responsibilities?
• Teaching Experience – Formal and informal (Sunday School counts)
• Areas of Coaching Expertise – Be Specific & include examples
• What are your Strengths? What makes you special and stand out from your peers?
• What are your Weaknesses? Where do you need to improve? How do you plan to address your weaknesses?
• Appearance – Do you look the part? Are you fit, and do you present yourself well?
• Skill Proficiency – Do you have the ability to demonstrate what you are teaching?
• Work Ethic – Are you willing to go the extra mile and work until the job is done? Give examples of how and when you have done this.
• Certifications & Accreditations – List all in any field
• List three books on Training or Athletic Enhancement that you have read in the past three months
• List three books not related to sport or training that you have read in the last three months?
• List three refereed journal articles that you have read in the last three months
• What are you doing on a regular basis to improve your knowledge and ability as a coach? What is you action plan to improve your skills going forward?
• What will you do that will be special?