Off Topic I have a job interview and have no idea on how to prepare!

[Gymnast2009]

Ok, so I had to quit gymnastics a few years back and now have an entry level rec coaching interview this week. I'm extremely nervous and have no idea how to act. What do I wear? Do I wear formal business attire like any other job interview? Do I tone it down? The coaches there usually wear leggings and a t-shirt with the gym logo on it while coaching but I don't know about the interview. What should I prepare for in terms of questions? What do I say? please help me
- nervous wreck

 

[ORgymmom]

Good luck! You can do this.

At my child’s gym, interviewing coaches usually wear athleisure because if the interview part goes well at the beginning, they will be brought out onto the floor and taken through some scenarios. It’s ok to ask if you’ll be on the gym floor during the interview. Wear clean socks.

For any interview, whether it’s this job or future ones later in your career, you should prep as if you’re answering STAR interview questions. “STAR” stands for: Situation, Task, Action, Result. You can easily google it and there are great examples out there. Structuring your answers in this way even if you’re not specifically asked it in this format is a way of showing how you see a situation, understand your responsibility within it, make things happen, and can link an outcome to the action you took.

An example would be: “tell me about a time when you dealt with a parent who was disappointed in their child’s progress” or “tell me about a time when you helped a child who was afraid to try a new skill.” You don’t have to show that you or the kid was successful, but you do need to show insight into the outcome and what you learned from it.

As for your own questions, you can ask about what training you’ll receive, if you’ll have an opportunity to shadow other coaches, if you’re responsible for structuring your own class progressions if there’s a curriculum coaches follow, and what the normal trajectory or expectation is for a new coach at your level. You should also ask about gym safety, safety procedures, etc. and how coaches are trained to manage it- a decent gym will have a comprehensive answer, and a bad gym will not. It is also ok to ask if you’re compensated for prep and setup before and after classes. Our coaches get paid time before their first class of the day to check rosters, move-ups, rotations, etc., and paid time after to move equipment and clean.

Finally, ask about how schedules and class assignments are set and how special things like camps and parties are staffed. You want to know if your hours will be consistent and/or if there is an opportunity or requirement for extra hours.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

There are two answers I could give you. The first would be advice on what to wear, what sorts of things you want to say or avoid saying, what sorts of things they probably want to hear, general tips for job interviews etc.

But I'll skip over that, because my second answer makes all that irrelevant:
It's a gym. It's short-staffed. Every gym in the United States (and I suspect it's the same elsewhere) is always short-staffed. If you know the difference between a cartwheel and a pullover and you aren't a convicted sex criminal, you'll get the job.

On top of that, you are young (I'm assuming from the 2009 in your handle), you're passionate about the sport (I'm assuming from the fact that you're posting on a gymnastics forum in your free time), you're excited to prove yourself (I'm assuming from the fact that you're nervous about this); all of those are qualities that gym owners and managers love in prospective coaches.

You'll ace the interview by showing up. Dress comfortably, relax.

And remember: you're also interviewing them. Knowing that a young former gymnast who is still passionate about the sport can get a job offer at any gym in the universe, is this gym worth your while? Is it a positive atmosphere to work in? Do they pay well enough for the energy and effort you'll put into it? Spoiler: the answer to that last one is "no," but we as coaches get to decide what we're willing to settle for; remember that it's perfectly okay to walk away from a gym if doesn't seem like the right place for you.

Keep all that in mind once you get the job as well: the employer needs you more than you need them. Do not settle for a gym that isn't a good fit, don't be afraid to walk away from a gym (or any job, for that matter) if it's not working out for you.

 

[JBS]

You have some pretty good info on the two previous posts... so good luck.

Wear plain athletic clothes (with maybe only a small brand logo... like Nike)... don't show up with crazy stuff like a Nirvana shirt and Pink leggings...

 

[Gymnast2009]

There are two answers I could give you. The first would be advice on what to wear, what sorts of things you want to say or avoid saying, what sorts of things they probably want to hear, general tips for job interviews etc.

But I'll skip over that, because my second answer makes all that irrelevant:
It's a gym. It's short-staffed. Every gym in the United States (and I suspect it's the same elsewhere) is always short-staffed. If you know the difference between a cartwheel and a pullover and you aren't a convicted sex criminal, you'll get the job.

On top of that, you are young (I'm assuming from the 2009 in your handle), you're passionate about the sport (I'm assuming from the fact that you're posting on a gymnastics forum in your free time), you're excited to prove yourself (I'm assuming from the fact that you're nervous about this); all of those are qualities that gym owners and managers love in prospective coaches.

You'll ace the interview by showing up. Dress comfortably, relax.

And remember: you're also interviewing them. Knowing that a young former gymnast who is still passionate about the sport can get a job offer at any gym in the universe, is this gym worth your while? Is it a positive atmosphere to work in? Do they pay well enough for the energy and effort you'll put into it? Spoiler: the answer to that last one is "no," but we as coaches get to decide what we're willing to settle for; remember that it's perfectly okay to walk away from a gym if doesn't seem like the right place for you.

Keep all that in mind once you get the job as well: the employer needs you more than you need them. Do not settle for a gym that isn't a good fit, don't be afraid to walk away from a gym (or any job, for that matter) if it's not working out for you.

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate the way you went about answering me, but I've never had a job interview before so I would honestly still appreciate the first answer you could've given me. I seriously don't know what to say or how to act in a situation like this regardless of the job lol

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate the way you went about answering me, but I've never had a job interview before so I would honestly still appreciate the first answer you could've given me. I seriously don't know what to say or how to act in a situation like this regardless of the job lol

Alright, happy to help with that, too!

As for what to wear for a coaching interview, it's less about how it makes you look than about how it makes you feel. You should feel comfortable, confident, and ready to coach. Wear something comfortable that you feel like you could coach in. And if you've got something that will make you feel more confident -- a lucky pair of shoes, a favorite t-shirt, a hairstyle you think looks great on you -- wear those! Again, it's not about how the clothes make you look, it's about how they make you feel. And if you find yourself stressing about it, then just throw on any random shirt and a pair of sweatpants and you're good to go. (One of the few luxuries this industry provides its workers is that we can pretty much go to work in PJs)

They'll likely ask about what sort of gymnastics background you have; that's easy, just answer honestly. You aced these questions before you even scheduled the interview.

They'll likely ask a few random other questions about school, or hobbies, or what your favorite time of the year is, or what kind of vegetable you'd be in a salad, or something else completely irrelevant to gymnastics coaching. The actual answers to these questions don't matter; what the interviewers are actually checking for with these questions is whether you're pleasant to talk to. Basically, don't swear at the interviewer, don't spend the entire interview avoiding eye contact, and don't bring up politics, and you'll do fine with these questions.

They'll ask what sorts of hours you're looking for; it's good to have an idea going in what hours you want to work. What days and times are you available? How many hours of coaching do you think you can do and still have the time and energy for school and family and friends and hobbies and other interests? (That second question is better to undershoot than to overshoot; it's easier to add more hours than it is to back off of hours you're already working)

Most importantly -- and perhaps most difficult -- is pay expectations. You should have an idea going in of what your goal is, and also what your minimum is. Being a new coach means you'll likely be on the lower end of the coaching payscale, but what that number should be varies widely depending on location and situation. I would at least find out what local fast food workers or grocery store checkout staff makes, and refuse to work for anything less than that (and honestly, I'd aim higher than that if you can). As a former gymnast, you already have experience, and that experience has significant value.

 

[sun]

If you respond promptly to their emails, show up on time, and have a pleasant attitude- you will be an unstoppable young coach

 

[gymcoach34]

Dress in gym gear, but look as put together as possible (nothing too baggy, etc.). The interviewer will understand that you are young and nervous and will hopefully be reassuring when you chat with them. The interviewer is looking for someone who will learn, is responsible and will follow the gym's policies and procedures. If you can do all of that, make sure you tell them and give examples where you have shown that you are responsible. I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that all gyms are short staffed so whatever you do does not matter and you will get hired anyway. If that is the case, I can't imagine that gym is anywhere you would want to work! Smile & be friendly-the interviewer is looking for someone who will work well with children. You will kill it! Good luck!

 

[gymcoach34]

Also, very strange (and bad) advice to go in as a young coach with no experience and give off the air that you are expecting any certain wage. Be prepared to start at minimum wage and be wiling to go in and work hard to exceed expectations to earn a raise.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Also, very strange (and bad) advice to go in as a young coach with no experience and give off the air that you are expecting any certain wage. Be prepared to start at minimum wage and be wiling to go in and work hard to exceed expectations to earn a raise.

Minimum wage is an employer's way of saying "if we were legally allowed to pay you less, we would." Offering that to somebody with relevant experience is an insult.

The gym needs more coaches (every gym does); young coaches, however, could just as easily apply for a job at starbucks or mcdonalds, or to any other gym in town. It's on the employer to make it worth the worker's while.

If you have valuable experience in the sport and the employer is short staffed, that means you're worth more than minimum wage to them.

The truth about this industry is that a LOT of gyms don't treat their coaches well, and are heavily reliant on exploitation of young coaches who don't have a strong frame of reference about what they should expect. I think one of the most important thing for any young coach to understand (and it took me much longer to learn this than it should have) is that it's okay to walk away from a gym that doesn't treat you well, and that includes pay expectations.

 

[gymcoach34]

Minimum wage is an insult. It's literally the gym saying "if we were legally allowed to pay you less, we would."

The gym needs more coaches (every gym does); young coaches, however, could just as easily apply for a job at starbucks or mcdonalds. It's on the employer to make it worth the worker's while.

If you have valuable experience in the sport and the employer is short staffed, that means you're worth more than minimum wage to them. I think one of the most important thing for any young coach to understand (and it took me much longer to learn this than it should have) is that it's okay to walk away from a gym that doesn't treat you well, and that includes pay expectations.

We can disagree on this, I don't think along the same lines as you do and that's what makes the world go round. I own a gym and do all the hiring-do you have the same experience? My gym is also fully staffed (overstaffed, actually) and we pay very well and offer teenagers minimum wage to start (where I am it's 15.00/hour). Of course having experience as a gymnast is nice, but that does not mean you can teach, have the knowledge to manage students, have the knowledge and experience to keep the gymnasts safe, that you will show up on time, etc. Some of my best and most popular teachers were not gymnasts and it's the other characteristics that I mentioned above that make them great!

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Hey OP, note the gym owner above arguing in favor of paying coaches as little as possible. Assume by default that the owner of the gym you're applying at thinks the same way. Most business owners want to pay their workers as little as possible.

One of the reasons gyms like young coaches is they know you're exploitable, because don't have a frame of reference for what you should expect from an employer. That's why it's so important for you advocate for the best pay you can get; employers won't give it to you voluntarily.

And if the gym turns out to be a toxic environment and/or you don't feel like your employer respects you, bail without hesitation and get a coaching job elsewhere. There are more coaching positions than there are coaches to fill them, and you can and should use this to your advantage.

Gym owners are worried about only their own expenses, and do not care at all about your expenses. That means you, in turn, should approach the negotiations caring only about your own expenses. You and the employer will have to meet somewhere in the middle. Don't assume the employer is the only one with negotiating leverage; the fact that they're hiring means you have something they need.

 

[34gymcoach]

Oy. OP- just the fact you care enough to write in and want to do your best speaks volumes. You will do great!

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Oy. OP- just the fact you care enough to write in and want to do your best speaks volumes. You will do great!

With this, I agree!

(Which is why she should expect more than minimum wage)

 

[JBS]

Also, very strange (and bad) advice to go in as a young coach with no experience and give off the air that you are expecting any certain wage. Be prepared to start at minimum wage and be wiling to go in and work hard to exceed expectations to earn a raise.

I would not agree with this at all. If I hire someone for minimum wage I can expect to lose them within a couple of weeks. We are very up front with what we can offer (which is around double minimum wage)... but I very much want to know how much they are looking to make to see if they even line up with the job.

Things are very much different depending on where you are at... minimum wage is $7.25 here and I can pay anyone under 20 years of age $5.90 per hour for the first 90 days employment...

Minimum Wage

Explanation for Wisconsin employees of the state minimum wage law - Wisconsin statute chapter 104

dwd.wisconsin.gov

We have had high school age interviews come in and ask for $18 and get it as they were that good... we've had others not get the job because we were not willing to pay them that much.

We have a level system for our employees now. Our Level 1 (trainee) and 2 (instructor) minimum wage is $14/hour... our Level 3 (advanced instructor) minimum is $3/hour more. We have 7 levels all the way up to full-time salaried Directors. Most high school age interviews fit into Level 1 and 2... but we have had some hit Level 3 right away. We have had a couple jump to Level 4 (coach) within one summer. We put her on as an assistant coach with our pre-team / Xcel Bronze / Silvers. Level 4 starts at $18/hour... but has a much higher top end than the lower levels.

In other words... they can really ask for whatever they want... but we have a system that is basically going to dictate what they can get. If they want more... they have to be able to do more or have more experience. For in-house experience in our program. We measure experience in days / shifts. Someone working 3 days / shifts per week is gaining 3x the experience as someone only working 1 day / shift per week.

 

[JBS]

I will add... we are also fully staffed all the time... however... we are also always hiring. We do not have any issues hiring recreational coaches anymore. We have changed the way we do things though.

A state with a minimum wage of $15/hour is probably more modern thinking than the $7.25/hour that we have here. The gas station and grocery store an 1/8th of a mile from us both start high schoolers at over double minimum wage.

I can also say that if our minimum was $15/hour that there is no way that we would be paying double that... we would probably be right around it... probably a bit higher just so I could say I pay more than minimum.

 

[JBS]

Just another random thought... our minimum wage is so far behind in this state that we have been paying over it for over 17 years now. And even back then is was a joke.

 

[JBS]

I have to say that I do look at this quite often...

Living Wage Calculator

livingwage.mit.edu