Ask Jo: Interviewing for a new job with a current employer.
By Jo Miller
Question:
Jo, can I pick your brain about a quick question that I have? I am interviewing for a new role at the place where I already work. Many of my colleagues know that I’m applying, and someone has already asked what I will do if I don’t get the position. I said I didn’t know yet. Is there a more a savvy response I could give? — Educator
Answer:
Try this:
First, smile confidently (and just a little bit cheekily) and say, “Of course, I believe I’m the ideal candidate for the role!”
Now shift to a more serious tone of voice.
Explain that in the unlikely event that you don’t get the position, you can be counted upon to be supportive of the person who moves into the role.
Conclude with “I will continue to work on…” and name something that you find exciting or fulfilling about your current job, or a skill that you are currently developing.
With that you will have covered all bases, demonstrating that you’re a strong contender for the new position, but one who won’t derail if someone else lands it.
Good luck, and go knock ‘em dead!
Update: Now a finalist for the new role, our candidate is confidently (and just a bit cheekily) smiling her way through multiple rounds of interviews.
Jo Miller
A leading authority on women’s leadership, Jo Miller is a sought-after, dynamic, and engaging speaker, delivering more than 70 speaking presentations annually to audiences of up to 1,200 women. Her expertise lies in helping women lead, climb, and thrive in their corporate careers. Jo has traveled widely in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East to deliver keynotes and teach workshops for women’s leadership conferences, women’s professional associations, and Fortune 1000 corporate women’s initiatives. Jo is founding editor of BeLeaderly.com. Learn more about her speaking engagements at www.JoMiller.net and follow @Jo_Miller on Twitter.
By Jo Miller
Question:
Jo, can I pick your brain about a quick question that I have? I am interviewing for a new role at the place where I already work. Many of my colleagues know that I’m applying, and someone has already asked what I will do if I don’t get the position. I said I didn’t know yet. Is there a more a savvy response I could give? — Educator
Answer:
Try this:
First, smile confidently (and just a little bit cheekily) and say, “Of course, I believe I’m the ideal candidate for the role!”
Now shift to a more serious tone of voice.
Explain that in the unlikely event that you don’t get the position, you can be counted upon to be supportive of the person who moves into the role.
Conclude with “I will continue to work on…” and name something that you find exciting or fulfilling about your current job, or a skill that you are currently developing.
With that you will have covered all bases, demonstrating that you’re a strong contender for the new position, but one who won’t derail if someone else lands it.
Good luck, and go knock ‘em dead!
Update: Now a finalist for the new role, our candidate is confidently (and just a bit cheekily) smiling her way through multiple rounds of interviews.
Jo Miller
A leading authority on women’s leadership, Jo Miller is a sought-after, dynamic, and engaging speaker, delivering more than 70 speaking presentations annually to audiences of up to 1,200 women. Her expertise lies in helping women lead, climb, and thrive in their corporate careers. Jo has traveled widely in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East to deliver keynotes and teach workshops for women’s leadership conferences, women’s professional associations, and Fortune 1000 corporate women’s initiatives. Jo is founding editor of BeLeaderly.com. Learn more about her speaking engagements at www.JoMiller.net and follow @Jo_Miller on Twitter.
