A recruitment interview is not just about athletic performance. Chances are, if you are being approached by recruiters then they have already seen you play.  The purpose of an interview is to give the coach or recruiter a feel for your character and establish compatibility with the coach's system.

Coaches do not want someone that will bring negativity or a disrespectful attitude to their team. They want someone that can be trusted to work hard, sacrifice, and follow directions without being chastised. From the moment you first talk with a coach or recruiter, strive to present yourself as that person.

Interview Tips

• Talk clearly
• Make eye contact
• Dress up 
• Be on time
• Be prepared (practice interview questions)
• Ask questions
• Be yourself

Turn your weaknesses into strengths.
A scholarship is a big investment for a school; show recruiters that you take that investment seriously by being prepared to discuss your academic, as well as athletic, career. Stress the positive qualities you can bring to a school and/or team.  If an interviewer asks about your personal flaws, answer in a way that shifts the focus of the question towards yourself awareness, rather than your faults.  By answering a negative question with an optimistic and self-aware answer, you keep the interview on a positive track.

Be yourself.
Show that you have a sense of humor, and that you are personable. If taken on by a team, you are going to be spending a lot of time with your coach and teammates. They will want a person they can get along with, as well as a phenomenal athlete. Be yourself, but yourself at its very best.

Be Honest.
It's important to be honest.  Coaches love honest, self-aware players. If your footwork needs development or your speed isn't quite where you want it, let them know. Always make sure to point out that you are not only interested in improving and learning from experiences, but that you are already taking the right steps to improving your shortcomings. 

Highlight your goals.
Having a plan for the future shows that you are motivated and that you have a reason to work hard.  If you're given the opportunity, talk about some of your past accomplishments. This is your time to impress, so don't be shy. Let them know what you have done and why it means you deserve a chance. Present yourself as confident, yet humble. Everyone has room to improve; let the interviewer know that you know this and that you will always work hard at improving yourself and your game.

This may sound like a lot to think about and in a way, it is. Try your best not to get nervous.  A calm, centered attitude can go a long way in making a good first impression.  Keep in mind a good interview can get you where you want to be; a bad interview can delay your progress. Be prepared, stay calm, and be confident.

Always go into an interview with the knowledge that you will, if you work hard enough, get what you want.