Nuisance internal candidate?

[Anonymous]

Is it ok to apply for an internal role, even though I know there are better more qualified people who would be gunning for it as well? I figured this would at least show ambition on my end and if chosen for interview, a networking opportunity. Are there dangers im not aware of? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Are you inherently qualified for the role? Or do you like the idea of a better salary and title?

[Anonymous]

Yes to both. It would be next step promotion for me. I am inherently qualified but not
competitive enough (there are others who are more qualified)

[Anonymous]

Other more qualified people internally? Or externally?

[Anonymous]

Both. I cross bare minimum-- others both internally and im sure externally will be better qualified.

[Anonymous]

Depends on your work culture. At my office, I heard some tea that so and so applied for X internal job but didn't get it, as if they thought it was funny he had applied. He seemed qualified to me, though not standout, but I didn't really find it humorous.

[Anonymous]

If you are qualified and want it, apply. You never know what is going on with other people - the more qualified people might not be a good fit, might leave for another job, etc.

But don't apply if you aren't qualified, or if you don't want it but want to show ambition. That wastes everybody's time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes to both. It would be next step promotion for me. I am inherently qualified but not
competitive enough (there are others who are more qualified)

Then it’s fine if so. But we have a policy to interview all internal candidates. I have interviewed some really unqualified people and they looked much worse, not better, for being unable to answer questions and for thinking they were qualified. It made people think of them differently. If that’s not you, no worries.

[Anonymous]

If youre qualified definitely apply. I am more qualified than my boss but I didn't want his job so I didn't apply for it. You never know they might not apply either or they might not be as qualified as you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes to both. It would be next step promotion for me. I am inherently qualified but not
competitive enough (there are others who are more qualified)

Then it’s fine if so. But we have a policy to interview all internal candidates. I have interviewed some really unqualified people and they looked much worse, not better, for being unable to answer questions and for thinking they were qualified. It made people think of them differently. If that’s not you, no worries.

Thanks. A version of this is what terrifies me. I also wonder if it will make it awkward with whoever gets the position-- I wont be reporting to him/her but will be working adjacent. As the position builds out, I wouldnt mind reporting to him/her. It's an area of the business Im really interested in and I want to make it known.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If youre qualified definitely apply. I am more qualified than my boss but I didn't want his job so I didn't apply for it. You never know they might not apply either or they might not be as qualified as you think.

Was it personal reasons that made you not interested? Travel? Relocation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes to both. It would be next step promotion for me. I am inherently qualified but not
competitive enough (there are others who are more qualified)

Then it’s fine if so. But we have a policy to interview all internal candidates. I have interviewed some really unqualified people and they looked much worse, not better, for being unable to answer questions and for thinking they were qualified. It made people think of them differently. If that’s not you, no worries.

Thanks. A version of this is what terrifies me. I also wonder if it will make it awkward with whoever gets the position-- I wont be reporting to him/her but will be working adjacent. As the position builds out, I wouldnt mind reporting to him/her. It's an area of the business Im really interested in and I want to make it known.

A white man wouldn’t worry about any of this. If you’re qualified (even minimally) and interested, applying is the best way to make that known. Be prepared for the interview and all will go well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes to both. It would be next step promotion for me. I am inherently qualified but not
competitive enough (there are others who are more qualified)

Then it’s fine if so. But we have a policy to interview all internal candidates. I have interviewed some really unqualified people and they looked much worse, not better, for being unable to answer questions and for thinking they were qualified. It made people think of them differently. If that’s not you, no worries.

Thanks. A version of this is what terrifies me. I also wonder if it will make it awkward with whoever gets the position-- I wont be reporting to him/her but will be working adjacent. As the position builds out, I wouldnt mind reporting to him/her. It's an area of the business Im really interested in and I want to make it known.

Would you take the job if offered? If so, apply. There's nothing awkward about applying and not getting it, that happens every day.

But please, please don't apply to a job you don't want in order to demonstrate interest in an adjacent job or in the topic generally. Just tell the relevant people that you want to work in that area.

- hiring manager in a place that does courtesy interviews for all internal applicants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If youre qualified definitely apply. I am more qualified than my boss but I didn't want his job so I didn't apply for it. You never know they might not apply either or they might not be as qualified as you think.

Was it personal reasons that made you not interested? Travel? Relocation?

Fed attorney manager job. Much more work and responsibility, minimal increase in pay. I'd much rather just do the technical work so perhaps when thought of that way maybe my boss is more qualified! He's a good guy so I dont mind stepping in to help on the technical stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes to both. It would be next step promotion for me. I am inherently qualified but not
competitive enough (there are others who are more qualified)

Then it’s fine if so. But we have a policy to interview all internal candidates. I have interviewed some really unqualified people and they looked much worse, not better, for being unable to answer questions and for thinking they were qualified. It made people think of them differently. If that’s not you, no worries.

Thanks. A version of this is what terrifies me. I also wonder if it will make it awkward with whoever gets the position-- I wont be reporting to him/her but will be working adjacent. As the position builds out, I wouldnt mind reporting to him/her. It's an area of the business Im really interested in and I want to make it known.

Would you take the job if offered? If so, apply. There's nothing awkward about applying and not getting it, that happens every day.

But please, please don't apply to a job you don't want in order to demonstrate interest in an adjacent job or in the topic generally. Just tell the relevant people that you want to work in that area.

- hiring manager in a place that does courtesy interviews for all internal applicants

Oh I would take the role in a heartbeat!