Recently, a suburban school district placed an advertisement for an assistant principal. The district attracted more than 150 applicants, met with 18 for a pre-screening interview, and then had a hiring committee interview 6 semifinalists. At about the same time, the Kentucky Derby had 19 horses “Run for the Roses.” Those horses had the benefit of the best trainers in the world to prepare them. Trying to get a managerial job is a lot like a horse race.
How much investment does a serious candidate make in obtaining certification as a leader? There are application fees, tuition, books, commuting costs and time. That can easily amount to more than $20,000. If you get the job, you can get a 10% salary increase. Do you think it makes sense to spend a few hundred dollars on a coach?
Being a well-prepared competition candidate is the difference between a good game of checkers and being a good chess player. A good coach prepares you to refine your CV and motivation letter; present yourself confidently during a job interview; tell a compelling story about why you are the right match for the job; anticipate and prepare impressive and unique answers to interviewers’ questions; strategize your story; and how to read body language. Yes, coaching works. Those who receive coaching and mentoring do so in confidence.
The right educational coach has taken the step. He or she has a diverse and well-positioned network of former clients and colleagues; and knows the schools and districts in your region, and the inside stories of what they need and want. You will receive guidance in shaping your approach to the special needs and desires of the specific school and district. Horse lovers get a lot of tips, some good, some shaky. Everyone gets tips on how to invest, restaurants to dine at and places to shop. A tip is of course just an opinion. Most of us are disappointed with tips. But good preparation goes much further than informal ‘tips’. Good preparation requires an experienced coach who will teach you actionable strategies based on thoughtful analysis of proven practices in obtaining school leadership jobs.
A good coach also gives you feedback on your job interviews, helps you close the deal and helps you negotiate your contract. The difference between a coach and a mentor is that coaches are experienced professionals, while mentors are well-meaning friends and colleagues whose experiences and insights are likely limited. Like any good service, coaches charge an hourly rate; however, the cost of coaching is much more modest than you think. I charge $160 per hour for the school leader position and $180 per hour for the district leader position. Getting a good leadership job is a lifelong gain that requires a modest short-term investment. But remember: the best investment you can ever make is in yourself. All these ‘investments’ increase your chances of winning that position. In some ways it’s a game of probability. All things being equal, my experience has taught me that the best-prepared candidate has the best chance of getting that job.
If you are serious about your future as a leader, job coaching is a great investment. If you’re not getting interviews, consider asking for feedback on your resume from someone who has actually hired. The purpose of your CV and cover letter is to get you a job interview. If you’re getting interviews but not moving on to the next step in the process, you need help with interviewing strategies.
You should feel comfortable having an honest relationship with your coach: sharing your life story; and identifying your strengths and needs, and your self-perceived insecurities. A good coach helps you shape your message, teaches you strategies, helps you build self-confidence, gives you example responses, role plays with both sides of the table and provides honest and constructive feedback. Coaching is, pure and simple, an essential investment you can make in yourself.
