Internal interview for promotion-am I wasting my time?

amandacat

I applied for an internal promotion and have an interview.

I am aware that one of my colleague wasn't going to apply for the post as they didn't think they were experienced enough but received a call from the recruiting manager to encourage them to apply as they felt they would be perfect for the role.

I am much more experienced and am very competent and my colleague is much less experienced but has made a massive impression over the last year since they started in their current post.

Now I wonder why I am even being interviewed if this other person has it in the bag?

The interview day is a long process with lots of stages. I don't know why they would put everyone through this if they know who they want. Or could it be that I do have a chance?

What would be your thoughts, I don't mind how harsh they are as I would rather know...

cte1111

I wouldn't presume that your colleague already has it in the bag. Once the company has laid on an assessment day, they want as many potential candidates to take part as possible.

If I were your colleague I would be feeling very chuffed, as it's always a compliment to be invited to apply like that. However you both need to put everything you can into every part of the process and take the opportunity to impress. Even if you don't get this role, they may well keep you in mind for other posts or secondments in the future. Good luck and try not to be downhearted if this one doesn't work out for you, you never know what's around the corner.

mickey54

who told you that they had been approached? Maybe trying to wind you up. ignore the fact this person is / may be going for the job .. Sell yourself at the interview ... And best of luck.

amandacat

mickey54 wrote: »

who told you that they had been approached? Maybe trying to wind you up. ignore the fact this person is / may be going for the job .. Sell yourself at the interview ... And best of luck.

I heard my colleague on the phone to them. My colleague then told me what they said and he didn't realise I was applying for the post at that point so probably didn't think he would offend or worry me. Since realising I think he feels bad although he doesn't seem to think he has it in the bag and certainly hasn't been cocky about it. He keeps telling me I will get it due to my experience.

agrinnall

It's not really your time that you're wasting, it's your employers as I presume they will still pay you for that day. Why not go for it, and even if you're not successful this time it could be valuable experience for a future interview?

FBaby

I'm assuming internal means only open to people within the company. In that case, could it be that only you and that person has applied? It could be either that they do like the other person and are valuing how quickly they have taken on the job, and on this basis would prefer them to have the job, or it could be that they don't want to be questioned about the fairness of giving a job to an internal candicate when only one applied, so want to protect themselves by interviewing at least two people.

It might also very well be that they haven't made up their mind at all and genuinely want to recruit on the outcome of the assessment day. Go for it and give it your best.

Loopy28

It sounds like they have in their mind that they favour this person but there is likely to be more than one person involved in the selection process and not everyone might want that particular person.

They are likely going to have to make the interview process fair, even if they do have in mind who they want. That other person may fall to pieces on the interview day, you might on the other hand shine and show them that actually you are the best person for the job. If they use some sort of scoring during the process and are completely fair, it might be you score higher and change their minds.

They might start questioning the other person's inexperience as well a little bit more at the interview, you don't know.

On the flip side, they might know who they want and be doing this process as a formality and so not to be accused of being unfair.

Either way, you have nothing to lose by giving it your all.

Nebulous2

I often encouraged several people to apply for the same post. If people had stated they wanted to develop and had shown progress.

I always emphasised that asking them if they had applied and encouraging them to do so did not mean they were going to get the job.

Sometimes we would go into interviews with an idea of who on paper was the strongest candidate and find the interview totally changed that.

I'd recommend discounting what you've heard and giving it your best shot.

poorlittlefish

I've been in a similar position where I was assessed against other candidates who knew the company inside out and were very good at their jobs. One in particular had been encouraged to apply by the manager but in the end I was the successful candidate, so definitely go along and don't let your concerns hinder your performance on the day.

If the company are recruiting fairly, then by having several stages they will be assessing candidates against a range of competencies and it could well be that you shine in an area your "rival" is weaker in.