3 Key Tips to Maximizing College Recruiting Interviews
I think we can all agree that there will be a laundry list of
tasks on the college recruiting checklist that require attention. Face to face
meetings with college coaches are important firstly, as a means of creating a
stronger interpersonal connection between prospect and coach and secondly, as an
opportunity for both sides to simply size each other up. This article offers 3
key tips that prospects and families can use to maximize on-campus interviews
with college coaches.
The college search for athletes is a journey, and in many cases
a long one that will hopefully and ultimately provide a college destination that
matches well with the prospect. That being the case, maintaining a “hands on and
self-guided” approach each step of the way will serve you best in maintaining
strong momentum and build strong relationships with college
coaches.
Prospects that have the opportunity to meet face to face with
college coaches will soon realize the significance in this milestone and
dedicate themselves to prepare best for the meeting. My suggestion is to
maintain a simple yet highly organized approach to your interviews and get the
best bang for your buck.
First Impression
They say you only get one opportunity to make a first impression
and your “conduct” during the college recruiting process is no exception to this
rule. The manner in which you present yourself to coach will be well-remembered.
Dress casually, but nicely. Look sharp and you will feel sharp and coach will
know it. Avoid wearing jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt. Opt for a pair of khakis,
a collared shirt and a pair of nice, casual shoes.
During initial contact between
families and coaches, moms and dads are typically the ones who greet coach first
and the prospect is located somewhere in the shadows. Change the strategy and
set the tone of the meeting in a manner that will make a lasting impression with
coach. I always encourage prospects to be the first to greet coach with a
confident and firm handshake. Thank coach for making time for you and your
family to meet and then introduce your mom and dad. This not only demonstrates
self-reliance and confidence, it shows respect and coach will love it.
The “Pitch”
After you sit down and talk casually for about 5 minutes during
the “warm-up” period, coaches will usually begin “the pitch.” The pitch is a
classic attempt by the college coach to re-cap the nuts and bolts of the program
and trust me, they are absolute masters.
They will discuss everything from policies and procedures of
their program, expectations they have for every member of the team, mandatory
academic programs (study hall etc.) to recruiting goals and the type and number
of players they are looking to bring to the
program.
This portion of the meeting is a great way for families to
gather information specific to the university you are visiting and the coach and
program you are considering. Be a sponge and take it all in, but try to also be
an equal partner in the discussion and have a short list of questions you want
to ask coach.
Maintain eye contact and upright posture with coach during the
entire meeting. This validates your interest in the program and gives coach
every reason to believe you want to be there! You want to leave the meeting
well-informed, but you also want to leave a positive impression on
coach.
Close it out
The meetings with each individual coach will vary in time and
content but the one common thread that will run from one meeting to the next is
“information.” The ultimate aim should be for both parties' to walk away
wanting to take the next step.
The depth of impression you make with college coaches will be
directly proportional to your level of preparation to present yourself
favorably. That said you can push that impression deeper, by closing out a
positive and constructive discussion with great effect.
Thank coach again for meeting with you and your family and let
him know that your interest in his institution has ratcheted even higher. Convey
your desire to provide him with any significant updates (athletic, academic and
otherwise), that can help him evaluate you in the best light.
The prospect and family who envision on-campus meetings with
college coaches as a pivotal stepping stone in the college search will provide
themselves the best opportunity to build momentum in the recruiting process. Be
polite, but bold in your effort to make a positive first impression with coach
and set the tone of the meeting. Pay close attention to coach’s “pitch” of his
program and look for openings to volley your questions. Leave the meeting on a
high note and create positive closure to an important recruiting event that will
lead to future growth between you and coach.
tasks on the college recruiting checklist that require attention. Face to face
meetings with college coaches are important firstly, as a means of creating a
stronger interpersonal connection between prospect and coach and secondly, as an
opportunity for both sides to simply size each other up. This article offers 3
key tips that prospects and families can use to maximize on-campus interviews
with college coaches.
The college search for athletes is a journey, and in many cases
a long one that will hopefully and ultimately provide a college destination that
matches well with the prospect. That being the case, maintaining a “hands on and
self-guided” approach each step of the way will serve you best in maintaining
strong momentum and build strong relationships with college
coaches.
Prospects that have the opportunity to meet face to face with
college coaches will soon realize the significance in this milestone and
dedicate themselves to prepare best for the meeting. My suggestion is to
maintain a simple yet highly organized approach to your interviews and get the
best bang for your buck.
First Impression
They say you only get one opportunity to make a first impression
and your “conduct” during the college recruiting process is no exception to this
rule. The manner in which you present yourself to coach will be well-remembered.
Dress casually, but nicely. Look sharp and you will feel sharp and coach will
know it. Avoid wearing jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt. Opt for a pair of khakis,
a collared shirt and a pair of nice, casual shoes.
During initial contact between
families and coaches, moms and dads are typically the ones who greet coach first
and the prospect is located somewhere in the shadows. Change the strategy and
set the tone of the meeting in a manner that will make a lasting impression with
coach. I always encourage prospects to be the first to greet coach with a
confident and firm handshake. Thank coach for making time for you and your
family to meet and then introduce your mom and dad. This not only demonstrates
self-reliance and confidence, it shows respect and coach will love it.
The “Pitch”
After you sit down and talk casually for about 5 minutes during
the “warm-up” period, coaches will usually begin “the pitch.” The pitch is a
classic attempt by the college coach to re-cap the nuts and bolts of the program
and trust me, they are absolute masters.
They will discuss everything from policies and procedures of
their program, expectations they have for every member of the team, mandatory
academic programs (study hall etc.) to recruiting goals and the type and number
of players they are looking to bring to the
program.
This portion of the meeting is a great way for families to
gather information specific to the university you are visiting and the coach and
program you are considering. Be a sponge and take it all in, but try to also be
an equal partner in the discussion and have a short list of questions you want
to ask coach.
Maintain eye contact and upright posture with coach during the
entire meeting. This validates your interest in the program and gives coach
every reason to believe you want to be there! You want to leave the meeting
well-informed, but you also want to leave a positive impression on
coach.
Close it out
The meetings with each individual coach will vary in time and
content but the one common thread that will run from one meeting to the next is
“information.” The ultimate aim should be for both parties' to walk away
wanting to take the next step.
The depth of impression you make with college coaches will be
directly proportional to your level of preparation to present yourself
favorably. That said you can push that impression deeper, by closing out a
positive and constructive discussion with great effect.
Thank coach again for meeting with you and your family and let
him know that your interest in his institution has ratcheted even higher. Convey
your desire to provide him with any significant updates (athletic, academic and
otherwise), that can help him evaluate you in the best light.
The prospect and family who envision on-campus meetings with
college coaches as a pivotal stepping stone in the college search will provide
themselves the best opportunity to build momentum in the recruiting process. Be
polite, but bold in your effort to make a positive first impression with coach
and set the tone of the meeting. Pay close attention to coach’s “pitch” of his
program and look for openings to volley your questions. Leave the meeting on a
high note and create positive closure to an important recruiting event that will
lead to future growth between you and coach.