Interview checklist

According to Lovato, whether your coach lives next door or in another country, it’s important to consider the following when evaluating a list of potential coaches:
Accessibility

Ask potential coaches exactly how available they’ll be to you. Some will state on their websites how many emails, phone calls, Skype calls or in-person meetings each athlete will receive: Make sure it’s a reasonable amount of contact for your needs. Riell and Lovato both like to hear from their athletes weekly but recognize this will ebb and flow based on the individual. At the very least, your coach should be receiving regular feedback from you, and creating training plans based on that interaction.
 
For me first ask them for certification:

• Basic First Aid – I think this is very important for every coach because of intense training, weather condition and life threatening emergency
• Basic water rescue – manage to have a license for water rescue in case you have panic on the water
• Certification triathlon coaching – To check if the technique of teaching is a standard procedure and not by instinct

Personality
No matter how smart, experienced or high-profile a coach is, he or she will be ineffective at guiding you if your personalities aren’t compatible. Before you initiate the interview process, write down your goals. Then ask yourself what you need to have the best shot at achieving those goals. Is it a coach who takes a firm hand while pushing you? Or perhaps a bit more nurturing is in order? You might come to the conclusion that it’s a bit of both. Doing this self-analysis will help you to narrow to your final candidates.
Flexibility

To be truly effective, a coach must be flexible in his or her administration of workouts. It’s essential to be bold and ask questions about his/her philosophy on adapting a program to fit your needs. What happens if a workout is missed? Will he or she consider modifications based on what feels better to you as your training continues? Sure, all coaches think they have the best approach to training an athlete, but without the willingness to adapt that method to fit the individual, there will be eventual roadblocks in the progression.
Skill set

Research your coaching candidates enough to know if he or she is qualified or experienced enough to teach, guide and lead you. If you’re interviewing candidates from a personal referral, still be sure to ask to speak to current and/or previous clients. While it’s not necessary for your coach to be an IRONMAN, some competition-specific experience might go a long way in the empathy department. At the very least, he or she should be a certified personal trainer or hold a Level 1 USAT Coaches Certification.
Scheduling

You’ll need to reconcile your day-to-day life with training. Lovato and Riell stress the need for a good coach to consider your family schedule, working hours and social activities when writing a training plan. He or she should be available and willing to adjust workouts based on what’s happening in your life. Again, being sure to ask any questions not addressed in your initial consultation will go a long way in avoiding feeling frustrated if the athlete/coach relationship doesn’t meet your expectations.
Personal traits

It goes without saying that a positive working relationship is essential. But how much of a buddy should your coach be? Remember that you aren’t hiring an enabler, but a trainer. Here, a few questions to ask a potential coach—and yourself—to make sure you get the most out of the relationship.
Will I trust him/her?

A successful athlete/coach relationship will help you reach your potential if, and only if, you trust his or her judgment and knowledge base. Research fully ahead of time, but once you’ve selected a coach, the trust factor must be maintained so you may confidently follow their guidance.
Am I open to feedback?

Will you be able to accept both positive and negative feedback from this coach? Just as significant, will you feel confident communicating feedback on how you feel your training is progressing?
Will he/she help me mentally?

Successful coaches shape bodies and minds. Helping athletes develop the attitude for optimal training and racing is just as important as assisting them in performing to their physical potential. Does this prospective coach fit that model?
Can I feel the passion?

Does he or she seem truly passionate about coaching? Can you count on help as needed to boost your motivation?
Above all, be true to yourself and your athletic and personal integrity. First impressions count for a lot, but due diligence and thoughtful consideration of your specific needs will land you a long-term coaching match.
Originally from: ironman