Week 12: Interview

The following is the interview I gave to the person I shadowed: Coach Rob Richardson.

Me: What types of challenges do you face?

Coach Rob: Fortunately, not many. Mostly just scheduling classes and registering players for our leagues. Sometimes there will be some overbearing parents too.

Me: How do you deal with deadline stress, difficult people, and internal politics?

Coach Rob: Deadlines are constantly coming and going so I'm really used to the stress. I don't have too many difficult people to deal with, mostly just small complaints about their kids in basketball class. Excel Sports is pretty small, so politics aren't an issue.

Me: What do you like or dislike about your position?

Coach Rob: I love the freedom I have, and I get to do something I love. My only dislike is that my hours are constantly changing.

Me: What do you feel can be done to make work go smoother?

Coach Rob: Every kid falling in line and doing what I say! Haha

Me: How do you feel about working with others?

Coach Rob: I love it. The team concept is something we really value here.

Me: How do you separate the personal from the professional?

Coach Rob: The good thing is, I don't have to. I work with so many great kids and parents. We are allowed to keep it friendly.

Me: Do you enjoy working on group projects?

Coach Rob: Ya, as long as we are all on the same page.

Me: What is your ideal work environment?

Coach Rob: Coaching a class where all the kids listen to instruction.

Me: How has your education and experience prepared you for your current job?

Coach Rob: I was an education major at Wyoming, and of course my experience with basketball allows for me to work this job as a coach.

Me: Who's work behavior do you respect the most?

Coach Rob: Coach D, he is the man who started this all.

Me: Have you reached out to mentors and has the mentorship system worked for you?

Coach Rob: Yes, Coach D was my mentor and I would absolutely recommend the mentorship system to anyone.