When preparing for a job interview, most candidates focus on answering the recruiter’s questions. But a job interview is a two-way conversation. It is also your chance to evaluate the organization, the manager and the role, and to decide whether this opportunity fits your values and long-term ambitions.
At Sportidealisten, we support sports professionals and students in building sustainable careers in the sports industry. Based on our experience, these are the key questions you should ask in a job interview for a sports job.
1. What will be my main responsibilities and goals in the first 6–12 months?
Start by clarifying expectations. Ask what you will be responsible for and what the organisation expects you to achieve during your first months.
This gives you a concrete picture of the role, the level of responsibility, and how quickly they expect you to deliver results. It also helps you judge whether the role matches your skills and career stage.
2. What does a typical day and week look like in this role?
Once you know the goals, you need to understand the daily reality. Ask how your time is usually spent across tasks such as planning, meetings, administration, events, or direct work with athletes, clubs, or partners.
This helps you see whether the job is more strategic, operational, or a mix. It also reveals the pace of work and whether the role fits how you like to structure your days.
3. How is success measured and how do you give feedback?
This is a crucial but often forgotten question. You want to know how your performance will be evaluated, how often you receive feedback, and what support is offered if you face challenges.
In the sports industry, goals can range from ticket sales and participation numbers to community impact and athlete development. Understanding the metrics and feedback culture helps you decide if this is a place where you can grow.
4. How would you describe the internal culture and ways of working?
Company culture shapes your everyday experience. Ask how colleagues collaborate, how decisions are made, and how the organisation handles pressure around matches, events or campaigns.
Follow up with a request for concrete examples, such as how the team celebrates success or supports each other during busy periods. This helps you see if the culture aligns with your own values and preferred way of working.
5. Is the work based in the office, remote or hybrid?
The modern sports workplace can look very different depending on the organisation. Some clubs and federations want staff on-site, especially around events and match days, while others offer hybrid arrangements.
Clarify how often you are expected to be at the office, at arenas, or working from home. This gives you insight into work-life balance, commuting, and how the organisation handles communication and inclusion across locations.
6. Are there opportunities for professional development and learning?
If you want a long-term sports career, development opportunities are essential. Ask about internal training, external courses, conferences, mentorship programmes or the possibility to take on new responsibilities over time.
You can phrase it like this:
“I am very motivated by continuous learning. How do you support employees in developing new skills or moving into new responsibilities within the organisation?”
Their answer will show how seriously they invest in staff development.
7. Is the position based on fixed hours or trust-based working time?
Sports organisations often work outside traditional office hours due to training, events and match days. Ask whether the role follows fixed hours or is based on trust and flexibility.
Fixed hours give you clear boundaries, while trust-based time offers more freedom but also responsibility for planning your own schedule. Make sure the model fits your personal life and energy levels, especially if evenings and weekends are involved.
8. Do you have a collective agreement or similar employment benefits policy?
Employment conditions matter for your long-term security. Ask whether the organisation is covered by a collective agreement or uses an equivalent framework for things like sick pay, overtime compensation, pension and insurance.
If there is no collective agreement, ask whether they follow similar standards and whether you can see them documented. Clear and transparent policies are a strong sign that the employer takes responsibility for their staff.
9. What unique value do you think I could bring to your team if I join?
Finish by inviting the interviewer to reflect on your strengths. This question shows confidence, self-awareness and genuine interest in contributing to the organisation’s goals.
It can also give you helpful feedback on how they see your profile and whether they view you as a strong match. This information is valuable both if you get the job and if you continue your search elsewhere.
Final thoughts from Sportidealisten
Asking the right questions in a job interview helps you make an informed decision about your next step in the sports industry. It shows that you take your career seriously, that you care about sustainability in your work life, and that you are looking for the right match rather than just any job.
Sportidealisten offers career coaching, interview preparation and advisory services for sports professionals, students and organisations. If you want support in preparing for interviews, evaluating job offers or planning your next move in the sports world, we are here to help.
Learn more and contact us to build a successful and sustainable career in sports.
