Step up, stand out: Interviews made easy

Let’s be honest, most turf professionals would rather walk a sodden fairway in sideways rain than sit in a job interview.

I’ve heard people joke that they’d “rather binge a documentary on paint drying” than face the awkward prospect of attending an interview.

But here’s the thing, interviews matter! They’re not just hoops to jump through. They’re your gateway to better roles, better environments and better opportunities to gain experience in this industry we all care about.

And after years of interviewing turf professionals, apprentices, assistants, deputies and course managers, I can tell you exactly what separates the forgettable candidates from the ones who walk out with the job.

More than a chat in a clubhouse office

From my chair, an interview is my chance to understand you, the person, the decisions you make, the standards you hold and the way you show up for your team and organisation. I already know you can do the technical parts of the job. What I’m trying to understand is who you are as a professional, how you think and what you’ll bring to the culture around you. What I’m trying to understand is:

• How you think under pressure.
• How you solve problems when the weather, the fixtures or the machinery doesn’t play ball.
• How you communicate with colleagues, committees and customers.
• Whether you’ll fit the culture of the team.
• Whether you’re genuinely interested in this job, not just any job. 

Technical skills get you shortlisted... Your mindset gets you hired!

The first test you don’t realise you’re taking

Preparation is the first sign of professionalism. The first test in an interview is the one you don’t even know you’re taking. Within the first sixty seconds, I already know whether you’ve put the work in. Most people think preparation means skimming a website or glancing at a mission statement, but that’s just noise. The real signal, the one that makes me pay attention, is when someone brings something specific, something they’ve genuinely noticed. That tells me they’re serious, curious, switched on and already imagining themselves in the role. That’s when everything shifts. Because preparation isn’t about collecting facts. It’s about showing intent, and intent is what sets you apart from the rest.

For example, when a candidate says:

“I noticed you’ve recently invested in new irrigation on the 7th and 8th greens,” or “I saw your club hosted the county finals last year, what were the biggest challenges?”, I know I’m talking to someone who cares.

Preparation tells me:

• You’re serious
• You’re curious
• You’re proactive
• You’re already imagining yourself in the role

And that’s exactly what I want!

Storytelling: The game‑changer no one teaches you!

When I ask, “Tell me about a time you handled a difficult challenge,” I’m not looking for a dramatic saga about a disease outbreak or a broken triple mower. I’m looking for structure, clarity and self-awareness.

When you get asked the inevitable “Tell me about a time you faced and solved a difficult situation,” the S.T.A.R. method is your best friend. It stands for-Situation, Task, Action, Result. It works every time. But here’s the part most people miss. Don’t waste half your answer painting the backdrop. Give the quickest snapshot of the situation, then dive straight into how you thought, what you chose to do and why. To conclude, reflect with the interviewer on the lessons you (and the people around you) learnt from the experience.

That’s the gold! That’s what shows me your judgement not just your memory of events.

Most turf professionals talk for ages about the weather, the fixture list, the committee pressure, the budget constraints… and only get to the point right at the end. What every interviewer wants to hear is:

• What YOU did.
• Why YOU chose to do what you did.
• What YOU learned. 
• How YOU’D manage it next time.

Reflection is gold. It shows maturity and leadership potential.

The secret weapon

The real secret weapon in any interview is treating it like a conversation, not an interrogation. I believe when candidates stop performing and start talking, everything shifts. Their answers sharpen, their personality finally shows up and their genuine enthusiasm comes through without effort. They ask better questions because they’re actually present, not rehearsing lines in their head. They stop trying to impress and start trying to connect. When turf professionals relax into the conversation, everything improves:

• Their answers become clearer.
• Their personality comes through.
• Their passion for the craft shows. 
• They ask better questions.
• They stop trying to impress and start trying to connect.

That connection matters more than people realise. As an interviewer, I’m not just choosing a skillset on paper, I’m choosing someone who will sit beside us as a team, work with us, laugh with us and carry the load when the going gets tough. As a manager, a good fit doesn’t just make my life easier; it strengthens the whole group. When someone feels right, the team feels it too and that’s what I’m looking for.

I’m not just hiring a skillset. I’m hiring a teammate.

Your elevator pitch

Inevitably, at some point an interviewer will hit you with the classic: “Why should I give you the job over the next person.” It’s a brutally tough question and one which most candidates stumble with and fail to answer confidently. The reason why most people struggle with this question is actually very human and very common:

• Modesty and upbringing. Many of us were raised to believe that talking about our strengths is boastful or arrogant, so it feels uncomfortable to suddenly switch that off in an interview.
• Fear of sounding egotistical. Candidates worry they’ll come across as cocky, overconfident or unlikeable if they speak too positively about themselves.
• Not knowing what “good” sounds like. People often don’t know how to articulate their strengths without rambling, downplaying or overselling.
• Being put on the spot. When asked directly, “Why should we hire you?”, the pressure spikes. The brain freezes, the mouth dries up, and suddenly even obvious strengths feel hard to express.
• Imposter feelings. Even strong performers sometimes doubt whether their achievements are “enough”, so they hesitate to highlight them.
• Lack of practice. Most people never practise talking about themselves out loud, so the first time they try is in front of an interviewer. No wonder it feels awkward.

The best way to answer this type of tough question is by using a well‑crafted elevator pitch that you’ve already made your own. An elevator pitch is simply a short, sharp introduction that captures who you are and the value you bring. It’s your chance to set the tone and the only way it lands well is by practising it, out loud, repeatedly, until it feels natural rather than rehearsed.

A good pitch shows me you understand your strengths, that you can communicate with clarity and you’re confident enough to own your story. But the real magic is authenticity. When your pitch sounds like you, not a script, you instantly stand out. It tells me you know who you are, what you offer and why it matters. That’s the kind of presence people remember!

What interviewers REALLY look for

Here’s the part most candidates never hear, the unspoken checklist running through every interviewer’s mind during every interview:

• Curiosity. If you ask thoughtful questions about the club, the team, the machinery, the expectations, the challenges, you stand out immediately. Asking thoughtful questions shows curiosity, engagement and understanding of the role’s challenges.
• Humility. Confidence is great. Arrogance is not. The best turf pros know they’re good, but they also know they’re always learning.
• Adaptability. Weather changes, fixtures alter, budgets shift and machinery breaks! I want to know you can pivot without panicking.
• Authenticity. I can spot rehearsed answers a mile away. I want the real you, not the version you think I want.
• Presence. Eye contact, posture and body language matter. Not perfection, I just want to see engagement.
• Passion. I want to feel that spark, the energy that tells me you care about the work, the craft and the impact you could make. Passion is the secret sauce, the thing that lifts everything else to another level.

The last impression is just as important as the first

Interviews aren’t about perfection. They’re about connection, curiosity and clarity. They’re your chance to show who you are, how you think and why you’d be an asset to the team.

If you bring preparation, authenticity and enthusiasm to the table, you won’t just survive interviews, you’ll stand out. The last impression is just as important as the first. A strong close sounds like:

“I’m excited about the direction the club is going.”

“I can see how my experience with renovations, irrigation or tournament prep would add value here.”

“I’d love to hear what the next steps look like.”

Simple, confident, memorable and a clear signal that you’re engaged and ready!

When you prepare with intention, speak with honesty and step into the room with real energy, you don’t just survive interviews, you lift them. Finish strong. Trust the work you’ve already done. Back yourself fully.

By Phil Helmn. Author of The Power of People and The Power of You. Find out more here or go to philhelmn.com to get your copy now!