The best coaching interview questions typically will depend upon the type of coaching position for which the individual is applying. When interviewing coaching candidates, basic questions may include those pertaining to relevant experience and how long the candidate has worked as a coach. It is a also a good idea to inquire what motivates the individual to want to coach.
Coaching interview questions such as, "What inspires you to participate in coaching?" can often reveal a lot about the person to be hired. Questions like, "What is it about coaching you enjoy the most?" are a good way to begin the interview. Rather than asking a question that can be answered by a simple yes or no answer, thought-provoking questions can reveal much about the person's character.
When attempting to hire someone as a youth coach for a sports team, it's a good idea to learn how the candidate feels about children and teenagers. Therefore one of the essential coaching interview questions might be, "Can you tell me how you relate to and get along with children and adolescents? Do you have any children or God-children?" While this may not seem directly related to the job, it may give the interviewer a better perspective into the person being interviewed.
Of course, prior experience will be an added benefit in most cases, so other relevant interview questions should pertain to past coaching responsibilities. "How much experience in coaching have you had?" is one question that can help determine if the person is the best candidate for the job. Asking what type of coaching the person has done is also a good question.
When conducting an interview, asking something like, "How will you be an asset to this job?" is another question that can be addressed. Coaching interview questions that tend to draw out how the candidate views himself can often be helpful. Along the same lines, the interviewer may ask, "Why should I hire you?"
"What do you hope to achieve by taking on this coaching job?" is a good question to ask. This may provide a clue as to whether the person is wanting to commit to the job for the right reasons, or simply to make some spare cash. In conjunction with that question, the following question might be, "How long of a time do you hope to commit to this coaching job?"
Other good coaching interview questions may pertain to how the individual might handle difficult children. "How will you help to motivate the child who does not want to be coached?" is an example. Asking how the candidate will handle difficult parents is another example. A good question may be, "How will you handle a situation where a parent interferes with your efforts to coach his child as you have been trained to do?" These questions can help when making final hiring decisions.