How to prepare for an internal job interview

You may feel more relaxed walking into a job interview for a new role within your current company. After all, you may be familiar with these people and already know the employer. Yet, experts say that you need to prepare just as much for internal interviews as if you were someone applying from outside the organization.

By Mariah Flores

You recently applied for an internal job position and have been offered an interview. Congratulations are in order, but so is the need for preparation.

Internal job interviews can come off as easy, when in fact they’re just as competitive and challenging as external ones. Nothing is guaranteed, which is why it’s a good idea to brush up on your interviewing skills .

“Never assume you have an edge over other internal or external candidates,” cautions Mary Southern , who is an executive and professional resume writer.?

As a candidate, you need to treat this internal job interview just as you would one with an entirely new organization. It doesn’t matter if you were referred to the role or even if the interviewer happens to be a close work friend .?

You won’t automatically be selected over other external or internal candidates, even though you’re looking to transition into a new role with your current company. Consider this interview process as your time to shine, showcasing any accomplishments, skills or even lessons you’ve gained along the way at the company.

Do Your Research

You should approach the position from your company’s perspective, analyzing how it plays into daily and long-term objectives. Additionally, you can better understand what skills and terms to highlight when updating your resume (which is a must).?

Southern recommends getting to know as much as you can about the prospective team, along with their projects, challenges, and short- and long-term goals.?

Researching any position or company before an interview takes job seekers far and sets them up for success. When approaching an internal job interview, act as an outsider looking into your current company.

Demisha Jennings , who is a career strategist and certified resume writer, suggests you begin preparing for your internal interview by reaching out to other colleagues.?

She suggests that you ask yourself the following questions as you reach out to colleagues with the role you want or as you conduct some external research:?

• Are there certain skills that I need to have??
• Is there a certain hard skill that's a top priority??
• What have I already completed at the company versus what’s being asked for?
• How can I relate or connect my current/past accomplishments to the new position??

“If you have a conversation with your current manager and the role that you're going for is not in the same department, ask your manager if they have any tips or tricks as far as what they think would be valuable to share with [the] hiring manager,” adds Jennings.?

“Sometimes a lot of managers are connected, so they have insight as to what the new manager may be looking for.”

Southern agrees, saying “Do not just read the job description, connect with internal colleagues that may have insider knowledge into that position, team, or department.”

As an employee and candidate, you must take ownership of the job search process at every level, including interviews. Knowing exactly what kind of role you’re going after adds much-needed structure to your overall job search process, as Jena Dunay (Viviano) discussed with LinkedIn News Editor Andrew Seaman on a previous #GetHired Live.?

Internal Interview Tips

Come Prepared

In addition to doing background research on the internal position (before the interview), you need to attend the interview and come prepared.?

Southern offers three ways to prep:?

1. Write down projects, initiatives, and achievements that reinforce those qualities, skills, and strengths. How did those actions benefit the company? Practice, practice, practice. You will be able to use these answers to respond to a variety of interview questions.
2. Write a list of 10 qualities, skills , or strengths that you believe the specific position/team/department would find attractive.
3. Bring several copies of your resume to the interview. It’s common practice , whether or not hiring managers ask for a copy.

Don’t Make Assumptions

Shouldn’t my current company already know all my contributions? No.?

Such assumptions are big mistakes many internal candidates make, according to U.S. News ,??

Again, an interview, internal or external, is your time to shine and clearly express what exactly makes you the best fit for the role. Some companies even have strict internal interview processes where they can only consider what’s presented at that moment, regardless of an employee’s track record.

That said, you may be asked the routine interview questions of “Tell me about yourself? ” or “Why are you interested in this new position? ” along with questions unique to internal interviews.?

You may need to answer for past mistakes and shortcomings, which can make for a difficult conversation if you simply assumed everything would be a breeze, given your employment status. On a more positive note, you’ll also likely have a chance to list achievements and make your case for why this new internal role is the best career move for you.

Internal openings are a fantastic way to advance in your career, especially if you’re already working for an organization or company that aligns with your values. Make sure you come as prepared as possible and put your best foot forward.??

Read Mariah’s original story with added multimedia by clicking here .

Brandi Fowler will be filling in for me on this Friday’s episode of #GetHired Live! She’ll be talking with Rachel McCord , who is the founder of The McCord List, about becoming an influencer and turning it into a sustainable career. Click the image below or click here to RSVP for the show. You’ll get a notification when Brandi and Rachel go live on Friday, August 19 at 11 a.m. ET.

I’ll be back hosting #GetHired Live on August 26! Deja Riley , who is a fitness expert and host, will join me to talk about building a brand, which is so important for a job seeker and anyone who wants to advance in their career. We’ll be live that Friday at 11 a.m. ET. Click the image below or click here to RSVP for the show. Again, you’ll get a notification when we go live.

Also, don’t miss my recent #GetHired Live conversation with Jessie Withers , who is the instructor of LinkedIn Learning’s most popular course from the past year ! We talked all about setting realistic goals in your life, career and job search. Click here the image below or click here to catch a replay of our discussion.

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• A note on thank-you notes. (By Mariah Flores ) Knowing when, where and how to send a thank-you email or note after an interview is just proper job-searching etiquette. While it may not guarantee a job offer, it’s a wonderful way to make a human connection with hiring managers, recruiters and interviewers. Job searching is already stressful enough, so plan ahead with a successful thank-you note. Click here to learn more .
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Nervousness used to cause me to miss bits and pieces of questions during interviews. Then, I would often end up feeling embarrassed when the interviewer needs to restate the question. Fortunately, you can improve your listening skills, which are crucial during a job search. This LinkedIn Learning course can help you get started by offering some helpful techniques. You can watch the course below or by clicking here .

We’ll be tackling a foundational job search topic in the next edition of #GetHired ! Specifically, we’ll be talking about crafting a resume and tailoring your LinkedIn profile while changing careers. Stay tuned!