17 Professional Athlete Interview Questions and Answers

Athletes train for years to compete at the professional level. They have to be in peak physical condition and have the mental toughness to handle the pressure of competition. But even the most talented athletes need more than just raw athleticism to make it to the top. They also need to be able to impress during interviews with team managers, coaches, and the media.

If you’re hoping to become a professional athlete, you need to start preparing for interviews now. In this guide, you’ll find a list of sample questions and answers that will help you ace your interviews and land the job.

Are you a specialist in one sport or do you play multiple sports?

Professional athletes often specialize in one sport. However, some professional athletes play multiple sports and are able to excel at each of them. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention which sport you specialize in and why you chose that particular sport over others.

Example: “I am a specialist in basketball. I started playing basketball when I was five years old and have been playing ever since. Basketball is my passion, and I love the game so much that I would rather focus on becoming an expert in one sport than trying to become good at many different ones.”

What are your greatest strengths as a professional athlete?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a few specific examples that highlight your strengths as an athlete.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to stay calm under pressure. I’ve had many experiences where I was in a tight game with the clock running out and needed to make a big play. In these situations, I have always been able to focus on what I need to do to succeed and execute my skills. This has helped me lead my team to victory many times.”

How do you stay motivated to continue playing your sport?

Professional athletes often need to find ways to stay motivated and focused on their goals. Employers ask this question to learn more about your personal motivation strategies. In your answer, share a few different things you do to keep yourself inspired.

Example: “I have always been someone who is motivated by challenges. I love the feeling of being able to overcome something that seems impossible. This has helped me stay motivated throughout my career because I am constantly setting new goals for myself. Another thing that motivates me is having a support system. My family and friends are always there for me when I need them, so I know they will cheer me on no matter what happens.”

What is your greatest accomplishment as a professional athlete?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your background and what you’ve accomplished in the past. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific accomplishment that relates to the position you’re interviewing for.

Example: “My greatest accomplishment as a professional athlete was when I led my team to win the championship last season. It was our first time making it to the playoffs, so we were all very excited to make it to the finals. We worked hard together as a team to win the championship game, which made it even more special.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to work as a team to achieve a goal.

Professional athletes often work together to achieve a common goal. Employers ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you can apply them in their organization. In your answer, explain the importance of teamwork and what you did to help your team succeed.

Example: “In my first year as a professional athlete, I was on a basketball team that had a lot of talent but no chemistry. We were losing games because we weren’t communicating well with each other. So, I decided to host a team dinner where we could all get to know one another better. During the dinner, I asked everyone questions so we could learn more about each other’s interests and personalities. After the dinner, our communication improved and we started winning more games.”

If you had to choose one skill to improve, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to determine what skills you’re working on improving and how much effort you put into your development. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the skill you chose and then explain why you chose that skill and what steps you took to improve it.

Example: “If I had to choose one skill to improve, I would definitely choose my ability to communicate with teammates. As someone who’s new to professional sports, I’m still learning how to best communicate with my teammates in order to get everyone on the same page. To help with this, I’ve been practicing speaking up more during team meetings and asking questions when I don’t understand something.”

What would you say is your biggest challenge as a professional athlete?

This question can help interviewers understand what you find challenging and how you overcome challenges. It also helps them see if you have any weaknesses that could be improved upon or if you’re already working on overcoming a challenge. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about your biggest challenge as a professional athlete.

Example: “My biggest challenge is staying focused during games. I know that when I’m in the zone, I play my best, but sometimes I get distracted by the crowd or other players. To overcome this challenge, I’ve started meditating before each game so I can focus on the task at hand.”

How well do you handle criticism?

Professional athletes often receive criticism from coaches, teammates and fans. A hiring manager might ask this question to learn more about your ability to handle negative feedback. To answer this question, you can describe a time when someone criticized you or something you did. Explain how you reacted to the criticism and what you learned from it.

Example: “I understand that everyone has an opinion, but I don’t like hearing people criticize me. When I was in high school, my coach told me that I needed to work on my free-throw shooting percentage. At first, I took his advice personally, but then I realized he was right. I worked hard to improve my free-throw shooting percentage by five points.”

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of your sport?

Professional athletes often have a lot of downtime during the offseason. Interviewers want to know that you can use this time productively and are able to balance your life outside of sports. In your answer, explain what hobbies or interests you have and how they help you stay focused on your goals.

Example: “I love reading and learning new things. I find it helps me be more creative as an athlete. During my free time, I like to read books about history and science. It’s also important for me to keep up with current events so I can understand why some people behave the way they do. I think these skills help me relate to fans better.”

When you’re not practicing or competing, how do you spend your free time?

Professional athletes often have a lot of free time between practices and games. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re someone who can balance your professional life with your personal life. They want to know that you are able to keep your priorities in order. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be a professional athlete. Explain how you plan to balance your work and play while on the job.

Example: “I love spending time with my family when I’m not practicing or competing. My wife and I like to go out for dinner and catch a movie. We also enjoy going on hikes and taking our dog to the park. When I am at home, I spend most of my time relaxing. I find that if I take care of myself physically and mentally, I perform better on the court.”

We want our athletes to be role models for our company’s brand. How would you represent our brand both on and off the field/court/track?

Professional athletes are often the face of their team’s brand. They represent the organization in interviews, at press conferences and on social media. The interviewer wants to make sure you understand this responsibility and that you have a plan for how you will uphold your professional athlete image.

Example: “I am very aware of my role as a representative of the company. I take pride in being an ambassador for the sport and want to be a positive influence on young fans. I would always conduct myself in a way that is respectful and inspiring. I also know that I can use my platform to promote causes that I believe in. For example, if there was a cause that benefited children with cancer, I would do everything I could to help raise awareness and funds.”

Describe your personal values and how they impact your performance as a professional athlete.

Professional athletes are often role models for their fans, and the interviewer wants to make sure you have personal values that align with those of the team. Use this question as an opportunity to show your passion for teamwork, dedication to excellence and commitment to integrity.

Example: “My personal values include teamwork, hard work and integrity. I believe that a team is only as strong as its weakest member, so I am always willing to help my teammates succeed. I also understand that success comes from putting in the necessary effort, so I am committed to working hard every day to improve my skills and become a better player. Finally, I value honesty and integrity, which means I will never cheat or break the rules.”

What makes you stand out from other athletes in your sport?

This question can help interviewers understand what makes you unique as a professional athlete. They may ask this to see if you have any special skills or talents that make you stand out from the rest of your team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something about yourself that is uncommon among other athletes in your sport.

Example: “I think what makes me stand out from other players on my team is my ability to read plays and react quickly. I’ve been playing basketball for many years now, so I know how to anticipate where the ball will go next. This skill has helped me become one of the best point guards in the league.”

Which other professional athletes do you admire and why?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your character and values. It also allows you to share information about other athletes that they may be familiar with, which can help them understand more about your background. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a professional athlete who has achieved success in their career while maintaining a positive reputation.

Example: “I admire LeBron James because he is one of the best basketball players of all time but he’s also an excellent teammate and role model for his community. He always seems to put others before himself and I think that’s something we could all learn from. Another player I admire is Tom Brady. He’s been playing football at such a high level for so long, and he’s still as dedicated to his craft as ever. His work ethic is inspiring.”

What do you think is the most important thing for professional athletes to remember?

This question is a great way for interviewers to learn more about your values and what you think is important in life. They want to know that you are committed to excellence, hard work and teamwork.

Example: “The most important thing professional athletes can remember is that they’re role models. I believe it’s our responsibility to be good citizens of the world and set an example for others. We should always strive to do our best and treat everyone with respect. It’s also important to stay humble and never forget where we came from.”

How often do you reflect on your performance and how does it impact your future decisions?

Professional athletes are constantly evaluating their performance and how it impacts future decisions. This question helps the interviewer determine your ability to reflect on past mistakes and learn from them. Use examples of times you’ve reflected on a mistake or poor decision and used that information to improve your game.

Example: “I think about my performance after every game, but I also take time to evaluate my performance during the season. For example, if I’m having trouble with a certain play, I’ll watch film of myself performing that play over and over again until I understand what I need to do differently. I also like to talk to other players who have experience in that situation to see if they have any advice.”

There is a lot of pressure on professional athletes to perform well. How do you handle pressure?

Professional athletes are often under a lot of pressure to perform well. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle stress and pressure, which is important for this role. Use examples from your past experience that show you can handle high-pressure situations.

Example: “I have always been someone who thrives in high-pressure situations. I find that when there is a lot on the line, I am able to focus better and play my best. In college, we were playing against our biggest rival with only seconds left in the game. We needed a touchdown to win. I was calm and focused as I ran the ball into the end zone, scoring the winning touchdown.”