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NFL Combine Secret # 3: Ace the Interview
Image by Scott Wachter
During their time at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, players will spend two evenings undergoing a rapid-fire series of 15-minute interviews with officials from all 32 teams. They’ll have to answer questions about football but also address any off-the-field or academic troubles they experienced during college. It’s just one part of the evaluation process, but an important one. If a team has evaluated two players at a similar position equally, the interview can tip the balance. The higher-drafted player will make significantly more money.
“It’s the biggest job interview of our lives,” says John Parker Wilson, a quarterback from the University of Alabama who has been preparing for the NFL combine at the Athletes’ Performance facility in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Job hopefuls in the corporate world feel no less pressure, especially in the current economy. Here are a few strategies to ace any interview, whether it’s for the NFL or the real world.
1. Dress for success.
Most players wear league-issued sweats for NFL Combine interviews, but others dress in suits and ties to show teams they mean business.
Given the relaxed dress codes of today’s business environment, it’s possible to overdress. But more often than not, it’s better to overdress for an interview than appear too casual. When in doubt, consult your perspective employer’s human relations department prior to an interview.
2. Do your research.
Prior to the combine, some NFL hopefuls research each team’s offensive and defensive schemes and explain during their interviews how they’ll best fit with the team.
That’s the equivalent of preparing to interview with 32 companies. The rest of us interview with just one employer at a time. Use Google and business networking sites like LinkedIn.com to research not just the company, but the people who will be meeting with you. Demonstrating such knowledge during the interview shows that you’re thorough and detail oriented.
3. Ask Questions.
Many employers dread the job interview process. Make it easier for them by asking plenty of questions. Not just any questions, though. Your queries should reflect your knowledge of the company and interest in working there. People are much more comfortable talking about themselves than trying to extract information from you.
4. Follow-up.
Some NFL prospects, even top-rated players, send thank-you notes to team officials. That could make a difference between two comparable talents come draft day.
In the corporate world, it’s easy to fire off a thank-you note via e-mail. That should be the bare minimum. A written note on personal letterhead makes more of an impact.
Pete Williams prepared Athletes’ Performance clients for the interview portion of the NFL Combine from 2002-2004 and is the author of The Draft: A Year inside the NFL’s Search for Talent.
Check out part 4 of our NFL Combine series to increase your vertical.
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About The Author
Pete Williams – Pete Williams is a contributing writer for CorePerformance.com and the co-author of the Core Performance book series.
