I was nervous and beyond excited!
I was on my way to a HUGE job interview at a Mid-Atlantic school. I had decided to drive the 5 hours to the city and stay in a nice hotel the night before so I would be rested and well caffeinated for the day long interview.
I picked the Holiday Inn Express, along the river, and immediately started imagining what life would be in that particular city…
I saw a Wal-Mart…..Ok…its normal!
I saw Target…and a mall…..a Food Lion….now we’re talking.. and then my eyes saw the sign…….
STARBUCKS!!!
I can survive here. I mean…any city with a Starbucks is on the “Up and Up”, right!?
So I arrived at the hotel, located on the river, and began to settle in! I did some additional research on the coaching staff, their career stops, and other faculty and staff. I even asked hotel staff for their opinions….I like to have my stuff together…if you know what I mean.
I starched and iron my best suite and had my Power Red tie for this special occasion. Then, I took a shower, read my One Year Bible, prayed, and then attempted to get some sleep.
5:00am came quickly! REALLY QUICKLY!! The Head Coach called to let me know the DFO would be picking me up and taking me on the first leg of the interview with University Administration and Staff. It was GO TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! I turned on some Young Jeezy…..and “Got my Mind Right”!
For the next few hours I was in and out of half a dozen offices. President, Vice-President, Campus Life, Interim AD, etc, etc, etc. Before I knew it, it was lunch time! The itinerary led us to an Italian/Pizza lunch joint toward the edge of town. We ordered and the Head Coach comes strolling in. I was immediately impressed. The Head Coach and I swapped job interview stories and he told me of some of his horror stories. Then the Head Coach said something that stopped the flow of the conversation dead in it’s tracks….
“You should never wonder why you didn’t get a job! Many times there are other things at work that you have absolutely NO CONTROL OVER!”
I knew immediately that I was going to look back on that statement! IMMEDIATELY! The lunch went great. In fact, the afternoon was spent talking in-depth with each and every member of the staff and alot of “chalk talk”! I was LOVIN’ IT!!!!
Then, the Head Coach told me I was welcomed to hang out but that was technically the end of the interview. They had interviewed several candidates and he had a tough decision to make. But I should feel really good about the interview….
He would let me know in 2 days!……….On a Friday……..
Well, those two days came and went… and on Friday…I waited….12noon….I waited….2pm…nothing….finally around 6pm the phone rings with that certain area code.
“Hey coach, how are you doing! Sorry for calling so late but I have been slammed with making this decision. But, we decided to go with another candidate for the position. It was kinda a perfect storm kinda deal but I want you to know that if I get what I am told I will be getting…which is an additional position…I want to bring you on board! We think you killed the interview and really want you on board!”
In the back of my mind….I kept replaying that statement…….
“You should never wonder why you didn’t get a job! Many times there are other things at work that you have absolutely NO CONTROL OVER!”
Job interviews, coaching jobs, and relationships!!!! Seems like they have nothing in common…. Let me inform you of a little secret: They are all based on the same things.
- A first impression can make or break everything….
- Your resume isn’t just a piece of paper…your reputation…your history…who has agreed to let you list them as a reference….”He’s a great guy” type stuff.
- “Where you’ve been” matters….Yes, I mean it in both ways. What schools you’ve coached at …..were they successful…and do they want you to stay? Also, who you have dated and why??? (can you see the similarities now?)
- You will have to sign off on a background check, drug screening, and resume verification…you know.. to make sure everything checks out! (Eyebrows raised yet?)
- You will be required to meet the supervisors: Athletic Directors, Presidents, Coaches, Parents, Grandparents, Brothers, Sisters, Players….cafeteria workers, booster club presidents, Mayor, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Elks Lodge, Mason’s……….
- If this is going to work, you will be required to live with these people eventually. Most coaching gigs are 1-Year contracts…much like an apartment lease…if you decide to move-in together…you are there for 1-Year together!
- If the situation ends prematurely or negatively….its similar to a breakup..
Crazy, huh!? But really crazy thing about it. All of them are major commitments and MAJOR life changes!!
And if you don’t get the girl…..Yep…you know what’s coming…
“You should never wonder why you didn’t get a job! Many times there are other things at work that you have absolutely NO CONTROL OVER!”
Last week I ended the message telling you …..and myself…to work on becoming the absolute best person you can be in order to attract the same type person. Truth is, sometimes, even when you are becoming that person, you still don’t get the job or the girl.
I didn’t get the job I was interviewing for in the beginning of the message…..but 5 months later…….THEY CALLED BACK….AND I ACCEPTED THE POSITION FOR A YEAR!
I GUESS THEY DECIDED TO HIRE ME…..ERH…SHE DECIDED TO GO OUT WITH ME AFTER ALL!
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So let me bring this together here:
It took me into my mid-20’s to figure out the knowledge I am about to give you in a weekly message…….
Whether you do or DON’T get the job…..Regardless if you get the girl or you DONT…..YOU CANNOT wonder why you didn’t get it or them! Many times there are other things at work that you have absolutely NO CONTROL OVER!
When you don’t get the job, 90% of the time there is something out there BETTER for you and your season of life! BETTER! GUARANTEED! This life is all about having FAITH in the process and preparing yourself for your MOMENTS!!!
The Book of Judges in the Bible tells the interesting story of Samson…Samson was a straight up, “Freak of Nature”! He was STRONG! We are not talking power cleaning 300 lbs. here. He was BAAAD! Heres his story….
The Story of Samson! Why you should be extremely selective in you Search for Personnel!
Our boy Samson was…well….impulsive! He demanded his way….especially in relationships….or should I say LUST! I can almost here him say it, “Mom, Dad, Go get her so I can make her my wife!”
He really thought he knew what was best for HIM!…..WRONG!!
Matrimony was the LAST thing on Samson’s mind! And don’t give me that, “He wanted to take her to P.F. Chang’s at The Summit”, either!! No, Samson wanted to bypass The Summit and take her to the Holiday Inn on Hwy 280! IMPULSE!
Samson got himself into trouble.. FAST! And in the end, a woman HE demanded and wanted….deceived him……and in the end…got him killed!
Point: We think we know what is best for us! I thought I was one phone call away from moving 5 hours NE of home! Every part of the position looked perfect! She (the job) was beautiful….great looks, great potential! But, it turns out the timing wasn’t right. I decided to keep trying to improve myself and TRUST IN THE PROCESS!
When it comes to Hiring Coaches and Picking Relationships we really owe it to ourselves to be honest! Would you date the person you are RIGHT NOW!? Would you HIRE the the person you are RIGHT NOW? And if you don’t get the job….if you don’t get the girl…are you man enough to wake up even earlier tomorrow morning….Go Back to Work….and Trust in the Process?
I wish someone would have sat my tail down when I was a freshman and told me that….
And here is your meditation for the week:
I love you guys! And I want to see you in a position that is right for YOU!
#CoachKD
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