You won’t get anywhere if you stand still – even if you’re on the right road.

And you’ll eventually be passed or run over.

The same holds true for careers; those who don’t seek promotions get left behind.  That’s why most of us strive to advance our careers.

Of course, promotions aren’t usually just handed out – there are interviews.  But how are promotional interviews different?  How should you prepare for them?  How can you increase your odds of nabbing the gig?

This week, we’ll look at how a promotional interview is different.

Company knowledge.  Sure, you know the company pretty well.  You work there, after all.  But so do your coworkers.  Promotions are often given to those who know the most about the company; its strategic planning, its products and services, its values, etc.  But just knowing the most about the company doesn’t make you a lock – the information must be internalized.  That is to say, candidates must show they’ve truly bought into the company – not just that they’re a part of the company, but that the company is part of them.

Know thy competitor.  Anytime you gun for a promotion, you’ll be competing against your coworkers – some of whom you consider friends.  The reality though, is that friendship is friendship and business is business.  Let the best person win.  You will know what their strengths and weaknesses are.  If you are strong where they are weak, it’s perfectly acceptable to highlight your strength in those areas.  It’s bad form to highlight your coworkers’ weaknesses, however, and doing so might automatically take you out of the running.  For instance, if Jan is weak in research, highlight your abilities and skills in that area.  Just don’t mention Jan’s name.

Hiring manager familiarity.  The interviewer has access to your performance reviews and the projects you’ve worked on.  S/he knows more about you than hiring managers on “the outside.”  The two of you may already know each other, as well.  This familiarity can be a blessing or a curse.  As such, it’s a good idea to be prepared for detailed questions about your weaknesses and successes.  It’s also wise to dig for information on your interviewer’s career so you can drop it into conversation (should the opportunity arise).

IN THE CARAVAN: Promotional interviews are different from regular interviews because you know the company and your competitors, and the hiring manager knows your work.

NEXT THURSDAY: Promotional Interviews, Part II: Running Recon