Do you want to advance your career, keep your benefits, and boost your salary all from the comfort of your current workplace? Applying for an internal job posting is a good way to do that. Find out how you can get an advantage over external candidates.
Photo credit: Pch.vector
If you are looking for a job change, a departmental transfer, or a career shift within the company, an internal transition could make sense for you. An internal transition enables you to switch departments and learn some new skills. Companies always want to retain good employees and HR is always looking for exceptional people in the industry. But the talent they are looking for could also be right under their noses.
Many companies prefer looking for candidates internally because they're already familiar with company culture, it reduces the hiring investment costs and makes the transition period easier. It is a chance for the company to offer advancement opportunities along one’s career path
An internal job posting is typically open to current employees within the company. Most organizations or companies will post open roles internally to encourage growth among employees. Posting internally also allows the employer to establish a transparent and fair hiring process since all employees will have a chance to apply for open roles.
However, with all these benefits, you may think it will be much easier for you to get hired than an external candidate. The application process when applying internally is slightly different than that of an external posting. You will still have to submit your application and prepare for an interview even if you are the boss’ favorite employee. However, the hiring manager may ask you completely different questions than what you would expect during an external interview. It’s not safe to think that you have an advantage just because you already work there. In fact, the interviewer will be harder on you because they know you have more information about the position and the company than an external applicant. You also have access to more people within the company, so failing to do your homework will have the odds against you during the interview.
Here are some tips to put you in the lead when applying for a job within your company.
Check frequently for internal job openings
Most companies will post their open roles online. Pay your HR department a visit and ask them to add you to the mailing list for job updates. You can also subscribe to email alerts via your company website to get alerts whenever new jobs are posted. This will give you a significant headstart on your application because some employers will communicate jobs to internal applicants first. Keep an eye on the office bulletin boards for any postings as well.
However, some designations, positions, skills, or jobs may not be posted online due to their sensitivity. If you have been networking with contacts from other departments while on the job, they can give you inside information in case a new position opens up. The company may also accept applications from internal candidates for certain roles before opening them up to external applicants, which is why it is important to get a running start on such roles.
Do all your homework about the position and the department
As I mentioned before, applying for an internal opening is a bit harder than it is for an external one. So make sure you have the requirements needed for the job before you apply; they won’t give you the job just because you already work there. You’ll end up wasting yours and the hiring manager’s time applying for positions that you are not a good fit for.
Take the interview process as seriously as you would an external one. There’s nothing worse than being unprepared for anything. Research about the experience and skills needed to succeed in the position. You can talk to other employees in the company who are in a similar role for more insight on this. Ask what they think about working in that role. They can also give you useful tips for the interview process to help you land the job.
Tailor your application to the job requirements
Make sure you customize your application to fit the role requirements the same way you did when first applying to the company. In your research and preparation, you should have found out the guidelines, standards, current developments, soft and hard skills needed for the job. Use this information to craft your resume by using the right keywords for the role to create the best narrative. Remember to also write a personalized cover letter and create a portfolio if you have some relevant work samples. Get some in-house sponsors or references who can cosign your work performance, skills, and background.
Tell your manager you want to apply for the open role
If you decide to apply for an internal role, it is always advisable to tell your immediate supervisor. In most companies, this is standard protocol because the department will have to replace you when you leave. You may also need to complete or hand over some tasks before leaving. It shows consideration and is a sign of respect to your manager.
Tell your supervisor why you feel the other internal position would be a good fit for you. Reasons to mention may include:
-
Wanting to manage a team
-
Taking on more challenging or high-level tasks
-
Gaining different or additional work experience
Maintain honesty and professionalism during this discussion with your manager as you want to gain their support on this endeavor. After all, they will be the best reference you will have for the job. Mention how much you have appreciated working under their supervision.
Meet with the Head of Human Resources
It is also a good idea to meet with the HR who is in charge of the department you want to switch to and let them know which role you are applying to. Do this before you have submitted your application. Talk about the role’s responsibilities, your background (education, skills, experience, and knowledge), and your fit for the position. Tell them you are thinking of applying for the internal posting and ask for feedback on whether they feel you could be a strong candidate. This is another great way to give yourself an edge over the competition.
Introduce yourself to the hiring manager
After you’ve submitted your application, go to the hiring manager with a hard copy of your resume and introduce yourself. Inform them that you’ve just applied online for the job posting and make sure you mention the specific job title you’ve applied for. Let them know you wanted to drop off your documents in person to help them put a face to your name. Strike up a conversation and let the hiring manager you are looking forward to speaking with them during the interview. It is a bold move and will leave an impression that might land you the interview if you play your cards right.
Prepare for the interview
Again, meeting with the hiring manager beforehand does not guarantee you will have an easier time during the interview. You will have to earn the role by preparing thoroughly for the interview. Make a list of possible interview questions and come up with exceptional answers that you can use to practice with a friend.
Keep in mind, the hiring manager may have higher expectations of you since they now know you have a track record and tenure in the company. Expect insider questions about company products and services as well as direct competitors. So make sure you are updated with the latest news by checking the company website. If you rarely visit your company website, you might want to brush up on it thoroughly so you don’t miss anything.
Prepare your portfolio and a list of references as the hiring manager may want to see them. Go over your resume before the interview and update all your relevant online profiles.
Make yourself stand out after the job interview
After the interview, write the hiring manager a personalized thank you note. It is a memorable sign of professionalism that will keep you top of mind. If you are accepted for the job, thank anyone who helped you and especially your current supervisor. Offer to assist your former boss with your replacement to make the transition as easy and smooth as possible.
In case you do not get the role, think of it as a learning experience for you and move forward gracefully. Every bad or good interview experience is an opportunity to learn how to better prepare for the next time. Remain professional throughout because the way you handle yourself in such a situation can determine if you will get the next job under the same hiring manager.
Ask the hiring manager and the HR representative if they can provide feedback on what you did well and areas where you could have done better. This can be part of your career growth. Staying positive without neglecting your current role can increase your chances of getting another job next time. It also reassures your employer that you are committed to your present job.
