Nuisance internal candidate?

[Anonymous]

OP I mean this kindly. Everything you’ve posted here reveals a profound lack of confidence. If you can’t believe in yourself, it will be tough to convince someone else to believe in you. I would start there.

[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.

I have done this. I'm in my 50s, individual contributor, once a high potential employee. Once I was passed over and didn't get an interview "due to the strength of the applicant pool". The next time I got an interview. Had one with my executive that went fairly well and a paired interview with two executives that wasn't great because they were distracted and asked weird questions. The job went to a young dad with less experience who displays that busy bee, go getter attitude that doesn't produce more but is ostentatiously associated with getting promoted.

On balance it was good I did it, but I did bump.my head on the glass ceiling again.

I do think it's worth trying as long as you don't embarrass yourself. As I said above, a certain amount of ostentatious effort displaying is part of the game. It's very easy for bosses to overlook people for promotion if you're not a favorite. This could give you a chance to talk about your promotion goals in a way that will get them to help you further even if you don't get the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

What would a man do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I mean this kindly. Everything you’ve posted here reveals a profound lack of confidence. If you can’t believe in yourself, it will be tough to convince someone else to believe in you. I would start there.

A pp. Yes...women tend to think much more about the convenience and interpersonal politics. Guys just apply.

If you prepare there is no way you will be a nuisance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I mean this kindly. Everything you’ve posted here reveals a profound lack of confidence. If you can’t believe in yourself, it will be tough to convince someone else to believe in you. I would start there.

A pp. Yes...women tend to think much more about the convenience and interpersonal politics. Guys just apply.

If you prepare there is no way you will be a nuisance.

PP again. I meant to say that I’m sure you’re qualified and capable. But you’ll need to convince yourself of that first. You’re a known asset and that has great value. The reason employers interview internal candidates isn’t a courtesy or to protect morale. It’s far riskier to take someone from the outside and they’ve already invested in you. Prepare and remember your value. You are not a nuisance.