There are five key elements to succeeding in an internal interview: Act like an external candidate. Use your knowledge to your advantage. Be prepared to challenge preconceptions. In addition to conducting background research on the internship position (before the interview), you should attend the interview and come prepared.
Tell the truth, lies and exaggeration will come back to haunt you. Listen carefully to the interviewer, make sure you understand the question; if not, ask for clarification or repeat it in your own words. Focus on the topic at hand. Never despise a teacher, friend, employer, or your university.
Loyalty is high on the list of employers. Watch your grammar, employers are interested in candidates who can express themselves correctly. Even if you have to go slowly and correct yourself, precision is preferred over non-grammatical fluency. It goes without saying that the dress code for interviews is important, but it's especially true when you're within your current organization.
If you know your interviewers, it's OK to be friendly and a little less formal than you would be in an outside interview. Once again, an interview, internal or external, is your time to shine and clearly express what exactly makes you the most suitable person for the position. So, whether your typical work attire is informal or business formal, wear that suit on the day of the interview. You'd better believe that all serious external candidates will send a thank-you email to anyone they interview, and we recommend that you do the same.
Sure, you'll show up in the same building where you work every day, but when it comes to the interview, bring the same aplomb and professionalism that you would have if you interviewed an outside company. An internal interview can be for a promotion, but it can also be a lateral professional transfer to a different department. There are some tips that are valid for almost any job interview: dress to impress, review the job description, be prepared to ask questions, etc. Take the time to prepare carefully, learn about the position and anticipate what the interviewers will want to know, and you'll be sure to leave them speechless.
Nobody has a perfect work history, so be prepared for your mistakes to come up during the interview. When preparing for an internal interview, it's important to redo your resume, evaluate yourself beforehand, and inform your boss about your decision. Some of these are typical interview questions, while others may be specific to internal candidates. The following questions are by no means exhaustive, but they're a good starting point when you're trying to ask questions during your internal interview.
Here are some ways to prepare for an internal interview that can give you a sure advantage over the competition. You might think that interviewing managers you already know will be more relaxed. You shouldn't let your guard down and prepare yourself with the same level of rigor as you would for any other job interview.
