The interview process between a job-seeking candidate and a search committee can be one of the most inefficient communication exchanges known to man. Otherwise qualified but interview-inexperienced candidates often do not present themselves well in this typically tense and highly-structured sit-around-the-table interview format, and search committees often lack the in-depth knowledge to ask the discerning questions needed to identify the better candidates.

Is there a better way? Fortunately, there is. Switch the initial interview session from the traditional meeting room (where the search committee has all the leverage) outside to the golf course — on “your turf”, where your knowledge reigns supreme and can’t be encumbered by well-intentioned but misdirected laymen’s questioning.

Switch the initial interview session from the traditional meeting room (where the search committee has all the leverage) outside to the golf course…

Once invited to interview, you can accomplish this change in venue by requesting that search committee members tour the golf course and maintenance facilities with you for the purpose of mutually identifying and discussing core issues. The benefits of this interview scenario are:

1. The tight time pressure normally associated with sit-down interviews is eliminated – ensuring a deeper exchange of ideas.
2. Rather than having to formulate theoretical technical questions ahead of time, the lay search committee members would simply have to point out on-course issues and ask you to identify causes and recommend solutions. This is the best opportunity you could have to demonstrate know-how, communication skills and personal command.

Granted, you may have to “sell” the concept of the initial on-course interview to search committees because of the relative novelty of the concept. Some search committees will no doubt counter that having you tour the course with the outgoing superintendent should suffice.

You should respectfully counter this suggestion while keeping it alive because while a tour with the exiting superintendent is always helpful, it does not set the stage for a formal interview as effectively as an on-course tour with committee members would. After an on-course initial “interview”, all parties come to the interview table relaxed, knowing each other’s personality traits, able to confirm or challenge comments and conversations previously discussed on the golf course tour, and free to explore new horizons beyond that which the traditional interview venue allows — to the benefit of the search committee and particularly to you, the candidate.

Comments are invited.