May 06, 2020

062: Steve Ingham on new book The First Hurdle

33 minutes

I’m excited to share, in this special episode, 7 key principles from my new book The First Hurdle on applying and interviewing for jobs in sports performance (and the sub-text here too is for those doing the interviewing too).

The First Hurdle is a guide to searching, applying and interviewing for jobs in sports performance and is now available to buy for kindle or other e-reader here https://supportingchampions.co.uk/downloads/

In this episode I share the motivations behind the book; a story about my first interview experience alongside the England Football team; and 7 key principles that people would be wise to follow (including one message, principle number 7, for the interviewers)

Be yourself! why and how you need to be true to yourself

Can you do the job? How to emphasise your employability by focusing on their needs.

De-clutter! Focus your attention on the areas that really matter. Would you put on all the clothes in your wardrobe to go out to a party?

Add structure to your answers. How ‘and’ ruins interview answers.

The importance of holistic view on communication, not just what we say but how we say it. We need to

It’s not about you! The importance of focusing your answers on how you can influence others and your ability to work in teams. The Superheroes and the mice!

(If you’re interviewing people) Don’t be an arse! By all means push people, but you have a responsibility to people, profession and an industry. You should develop your interviewing skills such that you’re able to inspire someone’s development, not humiliate them. Take your responsibility as an interviewer seriously and inspire people.

The First Hurdle book is now available to buy, both as an ebook and paperback;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Hurdle-searching-interviewing-performance-ebook/dp/B087JTHB2M/

Here’s a look at the contents;

Runners and hurdlers: Introduction

One principle: You can’t be anybody else

Get out of your own head: What interviewers think about

Target practice: Finding the right job

Looking good on paper: CVs and cover letters

The warm-up: Interview preparation

First contact: The start of the interview

Xs and Ys: The question that differentiates

Clarity, clarity, clarity: Structuring your answers

Team: Can you work with other people?

Who are you?: The importance of self-awareness

Sprint finish: How to finish an interview

Eyeing the competition: Group interviews

Show me: Practical tests

Virtual reality: Video pitching and online interviews

Climbing the ladder: Interviews for managers and leaders

The feedback loop: Getting advice; win, lose or draw

A final word for interviewers and interviewees

Appendix 1: Unpaid internships

Appendix 2: An overview of career routes

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