I’m a Top 20 NCAA XC finisher. I graduated and now interviewing for Big 4. Should I talk about my Elite running on interview?

Cool story, bro

I would make sure you tell them you frequent this message board so they know you can come here for advice if you get in a jam.

Depends if it was D1 or D3.

It might be an example of how you work hard, achieve goals, etc.

Not really. No one cares unless it was football or basketball.

Maybe if it relates to an interview question?

Did you go to an Ivy or Stanford or equal??

Then, yes your running credentials and school quality will get you an interview, probsbly to the second round and hired.

...or was it OSU, Iowa State or NAU?

Then your running won't open any doors or put your resume at the top of the stack at all.

If you haven't locked in employment while you're still in school then there's your answer.

In fact, tell them you post under the name Khamis and recommend they search for your posts.

I was not an All American, but was on a team that made it to D1 NCAAs. I had an interview where I was asked about my decent, but not spectacular grades and I mentioned being on a demanding team and having a part time job to pay for college. The interviewer told me I should have quit athletics for better grades. So in that case it did not help me. I have had other interviews where they were like "cool, tell us about your experience in this field."

What I have done since is state that I was on an excellent track/cc team and reached a high level of sport and it taught me about defining both long and short term goals and chipping away at those goals everyday for years to reach the previously unachievable. I also learned to be part of a cohesive team with a common goal despite various personalities. This applies to ALL fields.

Good luck.

You’re cooked either way because if you get hired you will probably be traced back to this thread.

When I interviewed with the Big 8 all those years ago I finished my interview with a partner who was keenly interested in my running background (prominently displayed on my resume) for the company's corporate division mixed team at the big, local road race. I calmly asked him; how bad do you want to win that thing? I coached up the team of hobby joggers and we ended up 2nd but won a plaque and, more importantly, beat all the other accounting firms.

How many douchebags have said something stupid like that?

If it's on your resume, they will want to talk about it. They will want to hear about your running. They've already taken an interest in you. You don't need to convince them of anything more.

I've had a number of past or present elite athletes interview for jobs with me (both from track/xc and other sports).

I view the athletics background as a plus, but ONLY if they are already strong candidates. I wouldn't hire an athlete who was a weak candidate otherwise. I'm probably slightly more pro-athlete than most, but probably not atypical.

All they want to know is that you will work 80 billable hours a week and they will want to be sure that running crap is behind you so you don’t miss staturday or Sunday work for races or long runs.

good luck, soul sucking work.

As a long-ago college athlete, and currently part of my company's hiring group, I would see your background and not get carried away with it. But I would note it as a potential plus factor because I know how hard it is to excel at athletics and academics (hopefully you did at least decently) during that time. Maybe we'd talk about it a little, but mostly I'd be looking for you to say more about how it taught you discipline and a work ethic, and not so much about your times, as you already seem to realize.

Malmo is 100% right - this forum can get overwhelmed by cynics. Congratulations on your athletic and academic accomplishments, and best of luck starting your career.

I’m also a long-ago athlete who hired many young professionals over the years. Cross country experience in particular involves both individual ambition and teamwork that can translate into an attractive skill set in the workplace. College athletics also demands self discipline and good time management. Be honest with the interviewer about your own experience, and I’d recommend letting them initiate any discussion about athletics. Be prepared to explain how you think this makes you an attractive candidate. Best of luck

STAR method