The No. 1 career-related question we receive is asking how to stand out in a crowded field of candidates to land a job in the golf industry. In the next two Career columns, I will focus on the phase during a job search that is most important in setting yourself apart — the interview.
Are you prepared to stand out in the interview? Are you prepared to tell your unique, compelling story to a hiring committee? In this column, we’ll cover five of 10 quick tips to jump-start your interview preparation and win your next job.
Experience is not enough. All the other candidates interviewing are qualified and have similar, if not better, experience, education and qualifications as you do. Let me repeat this: Everyone interviewing is qualified. The mindset for the interview stage moving forward in the hiring process is to focus on the points that make you stand out as the best fit with their golf facility. Do not rely solely on your experience; rather, focus on qualities and achievements that will differentiate you from the other candidates. Who are you as a leader, person and team member? The hiring committee members already know you are qualified, so amplify the factors that show you are the best fit with their particular leadership team and customers/golfers/members.
Focus on the audience. Create a message and connecting points that focus on meeting the priorities and needs of the target golf course and its golfers. This requires research well beyond just looking at the golf course’s website. Who is the target customer? What do they love about their golf course? What are their future plans, and how can you add value in getting their priorities accomplished? What unique experience and skills do you have that specifically address those needs? Articulate a well-reasoned answer why you want to work at that specific golf facility. Demonstrate your insight into what a special place their facility is currently and what it will become if you are trusted to lead their golf course management.
Tour the facility. Even if they don’t offer a tour as part of the interviewing process, be proactive and ask to see the golf course and property. This will provide additional insight into the facility that you can utilize in the interview. Employ your network to find out pain points on the property as well as strong points from the golfers’ perspective. Knowing these veiled tidbits before the interview can be golden. Use them to your advantage by adjusting your interview answers to show your in-depth understanding of the property and ability to manage and improve the golfers’ experience. Another quick note about touring the property: Know that you are being evaluated every moment you are on-site, so don’t let your guard down, even if you are alone on a golf cart or with a staff member touring the property. Everyone you encounter will be asked for feedback about their interactions with you.
Tell stories. In your interview preparation, practice mini-stories to have your skills and achievements come to life. Articulating tangible examples to which hiring committee members can relate is one of your most powerful tools to stand out. Choose achievements from your experience that pertain directly to your audience. For instance, if you are asked to describe your experience with bentgrass greens, don’t just reference that you have been managing bentgrass greens for 10 years. All the other candidates likely will have that experience, too. Answer with examples depicting your performance and results and why you are the best candidate to be trusted with their prized greens.
Be a golfer. You are part of GCSAA’s mission statement of growing and enhancing the game of golf. Don’t forget that most hiring committee members are golfers and love the game of golf. Relate who you are and what you do to golf, not turf. Perhaps you host First Green events to expose students to the game and career opportunities in golf. Demonstrate how you are an engaged and involved professional in the golf industry and community. Use golf as a connecting point and let the hiring committee know that just like they love golf, you too are fully dedicated and invested in the game of golf.
Carol D. Rau, PHR, has been a career consultant and speaker with GCSAA since 2005 and specializes in golf and turf industry careers. Rau is a frequent speaker at national, regional and local GCSAA conferences and teaches GCSAA webinars.