It is a position in the workplace most people would relish – only an interview away from securing a promotion and the benefits associated with career advancement. HR experts say that in much the same way as career development and succession planning should form part of any credible HR strategy, this event should also be included in an individual’s personal strategy.
The good news is that there is a way to prepare for the inevitable meeting with management.
Teryl Schroenn, CEO of Accsys, a member of the Business Connexion Group, says as an existing employee it is important to be well prepared.
The first step that Accsys advises is for employees in this situation to engage HR and solicit as much details as possible about who are the interviewers, how long the interview will be and if there are any questions that could be prepared ahead of time.
“If the present incumbent is in the interview, you need to be sensitive to his/her feelings when you are asked about how you would manage the position,” Schroenn explains.
Preparation before, during and after
Prior to the interview prepare a business plan and do preparatory research on potential questions and responses. It is here where candidates should outline their strategy to grow the department and present a complete picture to decision makers in terms of skills acquired and plans for application.
It is during the interview where many candidates fall short of the mark and lose out on promotion. Schroenn has identified several of the most common and critical reasons for this.
These include over-confidence, lack of respect of the process, over-familiarity, lack of input in the form of questions and/or a clearly thought-out growth strategy.
She emphasises that the interview is as much a fact-finding process as it is a confirmation of ideas and so it is important for candidates to contribute ideas and suggestions to demonstrate foresight and preparation.
Once the interview has taken place one should continue to function effectively in the current position and communicate a message of thanks as a professional courtesy to interviewers.
The result
In business, as in life, it is often more important how an individual responds to success or failure, rather than the actual success or failure.
Schroenn advises that should the interview go well and an individual receives confirmation of the promotion, leadership should be allowed to make the decision as to how the announcement will be made.
Newly promoted personnel should also accept that some co-workers may not be pleased about the development. “They might have applied too and may now be reporting into you or you may be in a superior position. Spend time with them; it’s not easy for either side,” Schroenn adds.
In the event one is not chosen, it is necessary to find out why and solicit advice as to what can be done to improve chances for the next time an opportunity arises.