But Seriously Interviewing Is Hard….Like Really Hard

The following is my recap, suggestions, and things to think about if or when a person applies for a superintendent position.  A few weeks back I used ChatGPT to write a blog post on interviewing as I was learning about artificial intelligence.  This was meant to be a joke more than anything.  That being said, there is some sound advice in that article.  I wanted to revisit this topic after having a couple weeks to reflect back on my interview experiences from this past spring.   

Now that my interview process is over I can take a breath oh wait…. In the past two weeks I accepted a new position at Norwalk, resigned from my position at Panorama, sold a house, bought a house, been invited to a number of lunch/coffee dates, numerous meetings, and had many congratulatory emails to respond to.  All great stuff but when you add them all up it becomes a bit overwhelming. The past two weeks have felt like two months, in a really good way.  

Let’s rewind a bit. This past winter I made the decision to apply for open superintendent positions that met my family’s criteria.  I am lucky in the fact that I love my current position, so I could be very selective for positions I chose to apply for.  This would be the first time in eight years that I updated my cover letter, resume and other application materials.  One quick side note: don't wait to update.  This process alone took considerable energy, so much so that it probably affected my overall preparedness when I interviewed at Webster City in late winter.  

I went into the Webster City semifinal interview with the same mindset that I had 8 to 10 years ago when applying for superintendent positions.  Hey it worked back then why wouldn’t it work this time around.  The biggest difference this time around was district size which equates to experienced, more qualified applicants.  If I, as a veteran superintendent, think a position is desirable, other quality candidates will as well.  While I felt prepared going into the hour-long semifinalist interview, it quickly became apparent that I was in fact not prepared at all.  When a person forgets to mention their spouse or children during the first “tell us about yourself” question, it’s not a good sign.  What a loser!  

There’s a song about unanswered prayers.  I guess this was one of those situations.  After feeling sorry for myself for a few weeks, I began reflecting on my experience and decided that I needed to change my game plan.  The process of applying for the Webster City position and not getting it allowed Angie and I to have rich conversations about what we really wanted in our next superintendent position.  Turns out we wanted to be even more selective in positions we felt were a lifelong fit.  

Around this same time, I had the pleasure of listening to Brooks Harper speak at an AEA superintendent meeting.  After he finished speaking I went up to get my free book.  There was only one book left: Why Should We Hire You.  In his book he writes, “treat everyday like an interview.”  Great advice Brooks, after reading this book I started to implement some of his strategies.  A few days later a tremendous opportunity presented itself when the Norwalk superintendent position became available.  

From day one, my Norwalk strategy was to outwork every other candidate.  My mindset was, if I don’t get this position it’s not going to be because I didn’t give it my all.  Applying for this position literally became a part time job for the next couple of months.  The first hurdle I had to overcome was self doubt.  On my desk I have a handwritten note that says, “I AM”  meaning I am one of the very best superintendents in the state.  I look at this note daily.  Did I really believe this?  If not someone that has ten years of successful superintendent experience then who?  Through the application process it became apparent that I did in fact believe that much in myself.  If not me then who?  My mantra became, “I Am.” I proceeded to attack the process to the very best of my ability.  

My best advice for interview prepping:

• Research the district from all angles, find out everything you possibly can. 

• Find any personal connections you have to the community and reach out to them, it’s a small world, ask your connections to have conversations.

• Find all potential interview questions and practice, practice, practice.  Practice answering possible interview questions out loud.  I literally practiced in the shower, on bike rides, while driving, to my wife, I videoed my answers, I watched the videos, I did it all again.  Over and over and over. 

• All elections have consequences….so do superintendent searches

• What are your campaign highlights?

• Be prepared to hold yourself accountable

• Have strong accompanying documents

• How are you different from your competition?  

• Formulate a plan, what is your plan?  What main points do you want every group to hear?  You won't have all the answers in eight hours of interviewing.  What is your answer when you don’t know the answer?  It’s ok to not know the answer

• Be yourself, this is the scariest and most often shared advice given to me.  Why is it scary?  What if “myself” is not good enough to get this job?  The good news about the Norwalk position was that “myself” was good enough.  Positive feedback on this topic included: he was authentic, showed his emotional side, talked about his family, and was honest when he didn’t have the answer.

Also be prepared for the following, plan on being a finalist:

• A lack of sleep.

• Being frustrated with limited district information online.

• Informing your board president that you applied and that you are a semifinalist.

• Informing all board members when you are named a finalist.

• Informing your entire staff you are a finalist, doing this eliminates rumors/gossip. It’s not as fun when everyone knows at the same time. 🙂

• A school district equals community, have a solid answer for why you have applied for a new position. 

• Try on your interview suit long before interview week.  I’m in seventy mile biking shape but still overweight.  Suit didn’t fit.  Now what do I do?  Money, Money, Money

• Be prepared for people to respond to your situation with jealousy.  It takes courage to apply for a new position, not everyone has the courage.