Responding To An Internal Interview Request

iTunes not downloading this cast

I get a "can't download" error message in iTunes when trying to download this cast. Is there a problem?

US101, Sorry, yes, there WAS

US101,

Sorry, yes, there WAS a problem. It's been resolved and you should be able to download the show now.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Mike

Three is more to this than meets the eye!

What about when the company claims to have a policy of promoting from within. They would encourage employees to apply for a job opening to satisfy that policy even though at times they have already set their eyes on an outside candidate.

I remember at one point in my career, a position of Associate Director became available and many of my colleagues expected and encourage me to apply for that position because of my expertise and experience. And I did. However after all the interviews, the Director decided to hire someone from outside. 

I did not feel good about the situation at all and even initially felt some animosity toward the new hire whom I thought was brought in because of he was an Indian-American. These guys are so rare for such positions that once they appear in a pool of candidates they enjoy almost an automatic hire!

He turned out to be a fantastic and spirited Associate Director whom I enjoyed working with. But alas, his style did not go well with our Executive Director's and he was let go only after three months. I wish M&M would have discussed such situations as well, especially the politics of "promoting from within."

Malekz

Promoting from Within

My workplace does something similar, where internal candidates almost always seem to have an advantage. Reasons may be political as well as experiential; the internal candidates definitely know the subject matter better than someone from the outside.

But I don't let that deter me from applying and interviewing, because this is the perfect chance for me to showcase my stuff. Even if I don't get the position for which I interview (because the interviewer knows** they want the internal candidate), I may make such a great impression that the interviewer might say, "Gee, I'm not going to hire this guy, but I know a position opening soon that this guy would be awesome for!"

- BJ

Decision Quad

I'm a very strong believer in "never turn down an opportunity," especially when you don't have all the information.  Sometimes that means I don't say "no" enough, but more often I find myself exposed to new opportunities because of a willingness to try just about anything.

I couldn't help but make a mental decision quad as I listened.  Along the top I put the outcomes "offered the job" and "not offered the job."  Along the side I put my motives, "want the job" and "don't want the job."  Then I filled it in with reasons for or against interviewing given each scenario.  I just further reinforced this cast:

Offered and want: Good to interview.  No explanation needed.

Offered and don't want: Interview provided exposure and hopefully improved relationships/network.  Reinforced self-esteem/confidence.  Practiced (improved?) interviewing skills.  Showed interest in expanding your horizons even if you didn't actually take the offer.

Not offered and wanted: Show company your interest in the position.  Provides a venue for you to discuss what you need to do to attain the position in the future.  Provided exposure and hopefully improved relationships/network.  Practiced (improved?) interviewing skills.  Only negative is the hurt to your self-confidence.

Not offered and not wanted:  Practiced (improved?) interviewing skills.  Showed interest in expanding your horizons.  Provided exposure and hopefully improved relationships/network.  Perhaps your self-confidence is hurt a little, but you didn't want the job anyway so get over it.

There are too many positives not to go for it.