Interview for Sport Volunteering During Sport Events: Tips

Interview for sport volunteering, tips. The interest in volunteering during the biggest events is growing, and often there are more candidates than there are places. Therefore, the entire recruitment process takes place. Firstly, your application, description of your experiences, skills, and motivation. After verifying these applications, some people are invited to an interview. I will explain it and tell you how the interview looks. You will also get tips regarding your next interview.

I’ve been working in sport volunteering for over 9 years now, so I have a lot of experience to share with you.

Interview for Sport Volunteering: Place of Interview

There are two options. The first is a live conversation. It takes place in the facility where the tournament will take place in the future or in a volunteer centre. This is mainly an option for local candidates. If you’re close and you can come, it’s worth using it.

The second option is to talk via instant messengers, e.g., Skype, available mainly to candidates who live further away. This is not a worse option, and you have the same chances.

Usually, you should sign up for the conversation via the Internet system, and you will receive all the details by email.

Volunteering Interview: What do you need?

What do you need for the sport volunteering interview? It’s very basic. You will need well-working internet, a webcam, and a quiet place. The length of the conversation depends on the organiser, but the standard is about half an hour. Meetings on site can be a little longer because they combine with a presentation about the tournament and the volunteer programme, or even measuring outfit. You will also be asked to show an ID.

It also happens that recruitment takes the form of an assessment centre, i.e., instead of a direct conversation with the recruiter, group tasks are assessed. However, this is a rarer form (fortunately, in my opinion) in sports volunteering.

Interview for Sport Volunteering: Tips

Here are most important tips for your interview for sport volunteering.

1) Remember, this is not a job interview. It takes a more relaxed form. Don’t stress. A smile is recommended.

This is supposed to be an adventure for you. Thanks to this, you can already feel the ‘spirit of the tournament’, especially if you manage to participate in a conversation at the stadium or hall.

2) Although it is not a job interview (and you do not need to put on an elegant shirt), the basic standards should be met. Come and connect in time, prepare the equipment in advance, and turn off the TV or background music.

Read the emails from the organisers and follow the instructions. For example, if they ask for your Skype username, send it on time.

These may sound like obvious things, but the lack of them can affect the overall impression. If someone forgets to connect to the conversation, how confident can the organiser be that ‘in the future’ this person will not forget to come for his or her shift? So remember about the standard good impression if you want to have chances.

3) Review the tournament and volunteer programme information in advance. Review the tasks described.

It is much better to talk to someone who knows what he or she volunteered for.

In addition, it will help you prepare your questions. And ask, there is nothing wrong with that.

Sport Volunteering Interview: The Most Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequent questions during sport volunteers interviews are:

1) Your experience (in volunteering but also outside volunteering, which may be useful, such as student organisations and events, professional work, or courses)

2) Foreign languages

3) Your motivation to apply

4) Your availability

It is understandable that half a year earlier you are not able to specify exactly every hour when you will be available, but think, for example, whether you can and want to take days off from work a week before or only for, e.g., two days during the event.

5) Experience is important, but willingness and motivation are probably even more important. Everyone started once, so people without experience also have a chance.

You just need to convince the recruiter that you really want and understand what your role will be. If you just want to watch a competition, go to it as a spectator.

6) If the recruiter didn’t ask you something and you think it’s important, please add it. And answer the questions honestly. The conversation is not just about accepting someone but also about assigning them to the appropriate department. The one in which the candidate will work well but also fit and feel good.

For example, someone who does not like driving in a foreign city is not suitable for the driver. It makes no sense to colourize your driver’s abilities and then bother.

7) You may also be asked to have a short conversation in another language, usually English.

This also serves to assign the appropriate role (there are those where the basics are sufficient, and there are those where very good knowledge is necessary).

Remember that a recruiter is usually a volunteer, only more experienced. Get the most out of your conversation.

Good luck during your sport volunteering interviews!

Wondering what sport volunteering is about? Check it out in this blog post!

Here is my Sport Volunteer Story!