Advice on internal promotion after recent role change

[Anonymous]

I’m looking for advice on how best to position myself for an internal promotion.

Several years ago, my previous employer closed and I made a lateral move to my current organization, bringing 15 years of relevant experience. I’ve been successful here and have strong working relationships.

A couple of years in, I applied for a promotion that has been a long-term career goal. I was not selected, and the feedback I received afterward was that I simply hadn’t been with the organization long enough.

About a year later, a different situation arose: an employee in another role left unexpectedly, and management needed to fill the position quickly. I was approached directly and told I was their first choice. Before accepting, I asked multiple supervisors whether taking this role would negatively affect my ability to apply for or be selected for the earlier “goal” position if it opened again. I was told explicitly that it would not. I accepted, have done well in the role, learned a great deal, and felt I was stepping up as a team player.

Now the original “goal” position has opened again and interviews are upcoming. I’m interested and have applied, but I’m concerned that despite prior assurances, my current role could be viewed as a recent “promotion,” with the implication that it’s now someone else’s turn.

My question is: How can I best position myself in the interview process to emphasize continuity of growth, readiness for this role, and the fact that I took the interim position at management’s request, without sounding entitled or defensive?

For context, there are currently only two applicants (including me) and the posting closes soon.

Appreciate any strategic advice.

[Anonymous]

Build your narrative to include that when asked by management, you steppin in to fill a key role and this developed your xyz skills, brought new abc experience, and further developed your ability to contribute in the promotion role by jkl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Build your narrative to include that when asked by management, you steppin in to fill a key role and this developed your xyz skills, brought new abc experience, and further developed your ability to contribute in the promotion role by jkl.

This makes a lot of sense, thanks.