🎓 How to Ace Your Internal Interview: Tips and Tricks for Success
Are you preparing for an internal interview and wondering what to expect? Do you want to know how to stand out and land the job? As a self-made millennial, I have seen firsthand how to ace internal interviews. In this article, I will share my six high-impact tips on how to prepare for internal interviews and give your best answers to the top questions you will be asked.
Tip 1: Talk to the Team
For an internal interview, make sure you speak with the hiring manager and team before the official interview process. As an internal candidate, being able to connect with the hiring manager in advance of your interview is one of the biggest advantages. Set up internal informational interviews and use that time to learn more about the team and build real relationships. It makes sense too, if you are committed to making a shift into their department, why would the first time you ever discuss their work with them be when you are in the official job interview process? True interest is shown outside of the process, but beware, informational interviews can actually backfire and seriously reduce your chances of landing the job if you completely don't prepare for them well.
Tip 2: Treat Your Internal Interview Like an External Interview
When you're an internal candidate for a job position, it's often really easy to become a bit comfortable and forgo the proper interview preparation. Don't fall into this trap. Prepare like it's an external interview and get real serious about it.
Tip 3: Explain Thoroughly
A lot of us breeze over our experience because we think that our co-workers know and remember the work we've done. Folks are too busy logging their eighth meeting for the day, getting together the TPS report, and trying to craft an email with the right balance of periods and exclamation marks. People forget your value, and they want you to lay it all out. Connect those freaking dots to the current role and allow them to expend as little energy as possible to understand why you are the perfect candidate.
Tip 4: Reshape Your Reputation
Be aware of your reputation before going into the internal interview and reshape it. Even if you are seen as competent, you may need to rebrand yourself if you are going into a different type of role or even a higher level role. If your role before was mostly people-oriented and this role needs you to be more analytical, make sure you are heavily emphasizing that other side of you in the interview.
Tip 5: Dress Up
Work is getting real casual these days, especially if you're working remotely. The rule that always works is just one step up from the typical day-to-day outfit. For example, let's say your employer is happy with you coming to work in jeans and a t-shirt. On the day of your interview, you should be dressed in a button-up shirt and a material of pants or skirt that's seen as maybe just like a step up from jeans. This rule still applies if you already work for the company because it shows you are taking the opportunity seriously.
Tip 6: Send Thank You Emails
Even if you already work for the company and even if you talk to your interviewer every day, you still send thank you emails after the interview. An interview is two ways, so after the interview, they are getting all excited about the possibility of you joining the team, and they desire a signal from you that you're eager to. A thank you email is the perfect way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do you know about our team?
This is a matchmaker question. Interviewers are trying to ensure that what you are looking for matches what they are offering. Why? Because it's much easier to motivate and retain someone who enjoys their work and knows it's the right move for them rather than someone who's muscling through it. Not sure if this is what they actually want, and then they're just toe-tapping until it gets to 5 pm. These are questions such as what do you know about our team, why this role, and how does this align with your career goals?
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
This question is a bit of a bamboozle because there are so many realistic responses that could be interpreted as a complete red flag by your interviewer. Don't fall into this trap. Watch my video on how to answer the question where do you see yourself in five years to make sure that you are answering it in a way that works in your favor.
Q: Tell me about a time when...
You might think, "Oh my gosh, it's impossible to predict what the employer might ask here, and that you need to go full Aesop and prepare so many stories for each different scenario." But the secret is you don't really need to do that at all. All you really need to do each time you are asked this type of question is follow my story toolbox formula.
Q: What is your greatest weakness?
Employers are always looking for ways to assess your critical thinking skills, and this includes examining the questions you ask them. So, I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to prepare solid questions for each interviewer.
Conclusion
Don't let all of those years of hard work and dedication at your company go to waste by winging your internal interview. Prepare for it by using my six tips on how to ace the internal interview and perfect your responses to the frequently asked questions. Remember, an internal interview is just as important as an external one, so take it seriously and give it your all.
Pros
- Provides practical tips for preparing for an internal interview
- Offers advice on how to answer frequently asked questions
- Emphasizes the importance of taking an internal interview seriously
Cons
- Some tips may not be applicable to all industries or job positions
Highlights
- Talk to the team before the official interview process
- Treat your internal interview like an external interview
- Explain your experience thoroughly
- Reshape your reputation
- Dress up for the interview
- Send thank you emails after the interview
FAQ
Q: What is an internal interview?
A: An internal interview is an interview for a job position within the same company you currently work for.
Q: How do I prepare for an internal interview?
A: Talk to the team, treat it like an external interview, explain your experience thoroughly, reshape your reputation, dress up, and send thank you emails after the interview.
Q: What questions will I be asked during an internal interview?
A: You will likely be asked questions about your experience, your career goals, and your fit for the role. You may also be asked to give examples of your work and to critique yourself and the company.
Resources:
- [VOC.AI](https://www.voc.ai/product/ai-chatbot) - AI Chatbot that can automatically reduce large amounts of work on customer services.
