What steps can you take to prepare for a promotion interview?

Follow the below steps: 1. Capture: Capture all your relevant achievements from your professional journey 2. Research the next step in detail What skills are most relevant for the next step 3. Map your achievements with those skills to establish why are you a good fit 4. Prepare, practice and rehearse your pitch 5. Do not get nervous - do not make it a do or die situation

Como suelo decir, ante cualquier desafío que desees enfrentar, prepárate. La preparación dede estar acompa?ada de la investigación y del autoconocimiento sobre ti mismo. No hay magia, todo necesita preparación y entrenamiento, pero es importante hacerlo inteligentemente y si puedes tener la compa?ía de un profesional, mejor.

Researching the role is an absolute must. The steps also depend on whether the promotion interview is internal or external. If internal, have a coffee with the head of that department a find out what they are looking for and some gold tips. This could also apply for an external interview. Never shy away from having a conversation with a potential employer. The off the record conversation could prove valuable and also deliver gems.

This is not the time to be humble about your skills and the value you bring to your organisations. Don't compare yourself with others, focus on your unique selling proposition (USP) and provide practical examples of your leadership results (leading self or others). I work with my coaching clients to document their achievements regularly, when they're recent, so they can leverage them during performance reviews.

Revisa tus logros que has tenido dentro de la organización como aquelllos que has tenido fuera, pero que han contribuido a tu desarrollo dentro de la empresa o consideras que contribuiran. Entrena la forma de decir tus logros y evita ser vanidoso, por lo general los logros no son individuales, suelen ser el trabajo de muchos, considera eso cuando comuniques tus logros.

One of the sections I suggest that my clients include on their CV is on 'Achievements". This not only provides an overview for the interviewers, it leads to potential questions which you can prepare for in advance and you come across as someone who wants results.

One thing I find helpful..is keeping up to date with is technology and especially if your getting promoted. Every system that your company has, since they seem to change yearly. Always make notes, when you find another away of doing it different in the office system to remember. Especially if you went for training, it's easy to forget what you done.

If it's for an internal promotion, note that those who'll interview you will certainly be doing their own research about you within. Make sure you have champions vouching for you and talking about you and your assets (skills) and professional personality as much as possible. If external, ensure you have some great referrals, some robust references and supporters backing you. Clean up your social media so that you always appear professional.

If this role is important to yo, get a coach and practice that pitch. It is so important that you come across well. Remember, while you are providing a pitch about yourself, you also need to be quite strategic in what you say and how you say it.

If this is for an internal promotion, go have a wander into that space or where they hold meetings. See what they wear and how they wear it. Especially women. You can never go wrong with a skirt/pant, blouse, jacket. No strong perfume, lipstick/make-up, jewellery. For an external, the website photos should give you a good idea on their dress culture/code. The suggestion above works well too...

Start preparing well in advance. If the role does not exist, but you feel that you deserve a promotion, then start preparing for the conversation well in advance: 1. Be vocal about your achievements, do not expect your manager to 'know them' 2. Book a call with your manager to discuss possible promotion, their expectations / requirements, and timeline 3. Document the outcome of the call and send it your manager via email, cc HR 4. Set up regular calls with your manager to keep them updated on the progress 5. Be consistent in highlighting how your performance is in line with the requirement 6. That way when the time comes to discuss promotion, there will be little discussion, only confirmation

One of the first questions I ask my coaching clients is: 'Who is in your professional circle?' As your circle of mentors will support and nurture your career by sharing their wisdom, time and expertise with you. The right mentors are worth their weight in gold. If you'd like my free 5 Step Guide to Selecting a Mentor - please reach out.