The First Hurdle: A Guide to Searching, Applying and Interviewing for Jobs in Sports Performance (Book Review)

I couldn’t wait to read Dr Steve Ingham’s second book, The First Hurdle: A Guide to Searching, Applying and Interviewing for Jobs in Sports Performance. Steve has done it again! The book did not disappoint at all. It is a real page turner and very much lives up to the title. A book about achieving your dream job sounds as dull as ditch water. However, the invaluable advice and wisdom Steve openly shares, from his years of working and recruiting in high performance sport, are articulated in such an enthusiastic, humorous and grounded way that it is never a boring read. At the start of each chapter I liked the “guiding philosophy” that sets the tone for the information to come. The chapters are presented logically, from CV writing to the interview itself. In addition to the traditional panel interview, tips for group interviews, practical tests, video pitching and online interviews are discussed. Within the appendix, pertinent information on unpaid internships and the different professional routes within sport is provided. Overall, this is an excellent and invaluable self-help guide for those seeking employment in sports performance. This is a must read for every student studying a sports science-related degree.