Tips for Internal Interview Success

When a new job opens in your company, it can be a great opportunity to move your career forward. You may be unsure of how to approach an interview with people you already know. However, if you prepare thoroughly, an internal interview can prove less challenging and may be a better chance for you to highlight your contributions to the company. In this article, we discuss the best ways to prepare for an internal interview.

What is an internal interview?

An internal interview is one that occurs when you apply for a position at the company where you work. The position may be a promotion or a lateral move into another department. In either case, you will want to take time to learn as much as you can about the company, your interviewers and your potential new role.Getting a new internal job can promote career growth by allowing you to move forward in a company you already enjoy working in. By moving up in the ranks of your organization, you are also showing a commitment to the company’s growth in addition to your own success.

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Tips for succeeding in an internal interview

When preparing for an internal interview, remember the following strategies:

Treat an internal interview the same as any other interview

An internal interview may seem less rigorous than others, but you should take them just as seriously. Remember that an interview is still an important practice designed to find the best fit for an open position. You want to convey that you respect the process and care about your work.You may know your interviewers, but you should still maintain a professional demeanor. You should be friendly without being overly casual, reflecting that you take the interview seriously. Take the same steps you would for another job interview:

• Dress and act professionally. Make a positive first impression by showing that you are prepared.
• Be rested and alert. Get plenty of rest during the week of the interview. Leave your phone in another room or in your car. If you must have it, make sure it’s silenced so it doesn’t interrupt the interview.
• Bring all your materials. Bring all the documents you may need, including copies of your cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation and list of accomplishments in your current role.
• Follow up with everyone in the interview. Even if you know your interviewers, a follow-up email or a handwritten thank-you card can express your appreciation and keep your name in their mind.
• Be prepared to talk about your accomplishments outside of the company. Share any achievements from prior work experience or other leadership and volunteer positions. Remember that these interviewers may not be familiar with your background, even though you work at the same company.

Related:Internal Candidates: How To Stand Out During Your Interview

Study the company

If it has been a long time since you have reviewed your company’s vision and mission statement, familiarize yourself with them. Revisit the company’s main objectives and any recent initiatives it has adopted so that you can speak knowledgeably about the direction of the company.Research who will likely be in the interview and learn about their history with the company so you’ll have specific talking points. For instance, if an interviewer was promoted from within the company, ask about this transition to demonstrate your interest. Spend time studying the latest news in your industry that may make for engaging conversation in your interview.Knowledge of the following topics can also demonstrate that you’re dedicated to progressing within your field.

• The latest industry trends
• Relevant advances in technology
• Your company’s competitors

As a current employee, you can also speak to the company culture in a way an outside applicant cannot. Mention some of the things you enjoy about your work environment, such as the casual dress code, accessibility of high-level managers or a strong focus on community service.Related: How To Prepare for Company Culture Interview Questions

Evaluate your performance at the company

Some interviewers may not research candidates prior to meeting them, so you’ll need to inform them of your contributions to the company. Consider preparing a snapshot of your positive performance, including the following information:

• Major achievements
• Notable projects that you were a part of
• Any leadership roles
• Awards or other recognition
• Milestones, such as time with the company or a sales benchmark

You may even include specific references to your performance taken from emails or messages from coworkers, other supervisors or clients.Organize your thoughts about any challenges in your past, especially at the current company. These incidents usually appear in the interview process, so prepare to be honest about what happened. You should also detail why a similar mistake is unlikely to occur again, such as additional training, developing new skills or the lesson you learned.Related: How To Use the STAR Interview Response Technique

Use your insider access

As an employee, you may have an advantage over any outside candidates vying for the same job. Use this access to help gain new insights into the company and the job you want. You can, for instance, reach out to the person currently in the position to learn more about it. Consider asking about why they are leaving and what skills they believe are necessary to succeed in the job.Do a thorough study of the company beyond what an internet search can tell you. Talk to executives about some of the company’s current successes and challenges. You can address these in your interview to show how informed and invested you are in the organization.If you are comfortable with your coworkers, ask them what they enjoy about working with you. You can also prepare a list of internal references to show how well you already fit into the organization.

Decide if you should speak with your supervisor

If you have a positive relationship with your current supervisor, consider talking to them about your interest in a new position. It can reflect favorably on you if your manager hears this news from you rather than another source. It will also help to avoid tension in case you do not get hired for the new job.Discuss your reasons for applying to the new position, such as:

• Increased pay
• A better fit for your skills and interests
• The natural progression of your career

Ask your supervisor if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation. Additionally, your interviewers will likely plan to speak with your supervisor. With advance notice, your supervisor can organize their thoughts and be better prepared for the conversation. You will also be able to learn what your manager may say about you.You can also consider speaking to the human resources department before your interview about the best way to handle the transition. Consider talking to your interviewers about this before your formal interview, especially if you are concerned about what your supervisor may say to hiring managers. Your interviewers may agree to wait until after a decision is made to speak with your supervisor.

Prepare for common questions

Prepare for the most common interview questions, which you may have already answered in initial interviews at the company. Some of the most common general and internal interview questions are as follows:Examples of questions about yourself:

• What are your strengths?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Examples of questions about your current job:

• Why do you want to leave your current job?
• What would your coworkers say about you?
• What have you learned since working here?
• What will you do if you do not get this job?

Examples of questions about the new position:

• What do you know about this position?
• Why do you want this job?
• What skills do you have that will make you successful in this role?
• What would you like to accomplish in your first 30 days?

As with any interview, going through a practice session with a friend or coworker can help you gain confidence and perfect your