How to ace an internal job interview

If you apply for a role within the company you work in, you will need to face an internal interview somewhere down the hiring process. Many employers prefer to advertise new openings to their own employees first before going public.

When the current employees are promoted to higher roles, employers can work on recruiting new talent for the lower-level positions that open up. This helps the current employees achieve their career advancement goals, boosting morale within the organization.

When you are about to face an internal interview, you should prepare just as much as you would if you were an external candidate. Let’s look at the different areas you should consider in your preparations.

Research the role

Since you are within the company, this will be an easier task. You can reach out to team members who are familiar with the scope of the role. If the current person is still in their chair, you can schedule an informational interview with them to learn more about the role. They will also tell you which areas you should focus on when preparing for your internal interview.

Do employer research

We know that you are already with the employer. But a bit of in-depth studying will not go to waste during your interview. Focus your attention on the most recent news and press releases by the employer. Also, don’t forget to read up on the latest challenges faced by your company and any new ventures the business might have embarked on.

Find the interviewer

Find who will be conducting your interview and learn a bit about them. If you have not met them before, now is the time for you to memorize their name and title. Learning about the interests and attitudes of your interviewer ahead of time will help you establish a better rapport with them on the day of the interview.

Prepare your questions

Spend some time designing your own questions to ask the interviewer. These questions must do more than pry on the surface about trivial matters. Ask questions that reiterate your insider knowledge about the business.

Do a mock interview

Mock interviews help you prepare for any curveballs that might get thrown your way during the actual day. Completing a mock interview will aid you in identifying any rough patches you have. Also, you will be prepared better to answer interview questions once you have done it for the first time.

Find the dress code

You will definitely have to dress professionally for your internal interview. Since you have an idea of the existing company culture, you can incorporate elements that go with it into your outfit. However, take care not to be underdressed for your interview.

Prepare answers for common questions

We’ve put together a list of common internal interview questions that you must prepare for. Design concise, yet informative answers for these questions and practice your answers before the interview:

• Why are you interested in this new role?
• How do you think your current skills will transfer to this new role?
• What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How does this role fit into them?
• How have you prepared yourself for the responsibilities of this new position?
• What strategies would you use to quickly get up to speed in this new position?
• What do you think makes a team successful?
• How do you prioritize your tasks when you have multiple deadlines to meet?
• Can you describe a time when you exceeded expectations in your current job?
• What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our company right now?
• What areas do you feel you need to improve on, and how are you working on them?
• How do you seek out and incorporate feedback to improve your performance?