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
Jo Miller is a globally renowned authority on women’s leadership. She’s dedicated two decades to helping women advance into positions of influence by leveraging their leadership strengths. Based on her work with hundreds of thousands of women, she developed a pragmatic and powerful roadmap that guides women to become the leaders they aspire to be. Jo shares this proven process in her book Woman of Influence: 9 Steps to Build Your Brand, Establish Your Legacy, and Thrive (McGraw Hill, 2019.)
Jo is CEO of leadership development, consulting and research firm Be Leaderly. Learn more about her speaking engagements at www.JoMiller.com 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
Jo Miller is a globally renowned authority on women’s leadership. She’s dedicated two decades to helping women advance into positions of influence by leveraging their leadership strengths. Based on her work with hundreds of thousands of women, she developed a pragmatic and powerful roadmap that guides women to become the leaders they aspire to be. Jo shares this proven process in her book Woman of Influence: 9 Steps to Build Your Brand, Establish Your Legacy, and Thrive (McGraw Hill, 2019.)
Jo is CEO of leadership development, consulting and research firm Be Leaderly. Learn more about her speaking engagements at www.JoMiller.com and follow @Jo_Miller on Twitter.
