Interview – Stick to the Damn Plan!

I’m at the vet with my dog prepping her for a dental cleaning…Greyhounds have the smelliest breath!

While in the vet’s lobby, a dog rescue volunteer walks in with a “beaten down” pup, shaven, eye partially closed and skin looking pretty bad. Obviously the poor guy was in bad shape but despite his physical ailments. was playful and cute. I immediately fell in love with this little nugget (a 65 lb. American/English Bulldog mix). I asked the volunteer a couple of questions about him, gave my new friend a pat on the head and big hug and went on my merry way.

Throughout the day I couldn’t stop thinking of this poor pooch and wanted to help. No way could I adopt him with two aging, jealous and demanding canines already at home but at the very least I could make a donation and help with his medical bills.

That night told my husband and daughter about the dog interaction I had earlier in the day and wouldn’t you know within an hour we convinced ourselves that my daughter needed to adopt the Bulldog as a companion for law school in Brooklyn. What???

What does this cockamamie dog story have to do with golf employment? I didn’t stick with my initial plan (making a donation) and found myself in a deeper commitment that, as it turns out, was not the best fit for my family’s needs.

This scenario plays out in interviews as well.

One of the toughest department head positions to fill at a club is Food and Beverage Manager.

Why? Because F&B candidates have such diverse backgrounds it’s tough finding the “perfect fit” for your club. For example, a candidate walks in with tons of experience as a chef. Her priority is to meet production needs while your main concerns are employee management and purchasing and waste.

That’s a crummy match!

When conducting an interview one must have a plan of hiring priorities and stick to those priorities throughout the interview. The candidate’s background and skill-set must parallel your priorities. If he/she doesn’t “fit” move on. Stick to the plan. Avoid deviating from the needs of your club during the interview.

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