Fourth Job Interview but No Cigar

I recently had my fourth job interview for a paid Performance Analyst Intern position at Millfield School  (see 3rd, 2nd and 1st).  Millfield School is one of the best and richest* schools in Britain.  Millfield have been represented at every Olympic games since 1956.  It would have been an ideal position mainly because you get to work with kids in different sports at a high level.  It aligned with many of my strengths.  It would have been a fantastic learning experience if I got the position…

Unfortunately, I did not get the position.  I did get some constructive feedback though.  They said there was no question I was enthusiastic about performance analysis.  One negative was I lacked experience in others sports, mainly football, rugby, hockey and cricket.  This is fair enough.  The other negative was they said I didn’t provide a complete strategy of how I would apply performance analysis across all sports.  This is fair enough too.  In the interview, I explained to them what I would do if I started there; I would meet with the various Head Coaches and ask them what their analysis needs are.  This is because there is no point in telling them I can do these things if they are not going to use it.  I also like to acknowledge and manage their expectations.  From there, I would work out the logistics of it all.  I guess that approach was not structured enough for them.  However, it did give me an idea that I should have a basic strategy of how I should work.  That migh be another blog post.

Well, I have dedicated Mondays for job hunting (dedicating to my dissertation for the rest of the week).  Hopefully, I should have more interviews to reflect on and that one of them is the one WITH a cigar!

* I was told by the taxi driver that a parent once picked up their kid by helicopter. I’m not sure whether that’s better than the story I heard that a parent picked up their kid by boat when I worked at Camp Silver Beach.