Interviewing for a position with your current company? Here are six tips for excelling at internal interviews.

(1) Emphasize how your specific experience and extensive knowledge of the company will make you the ideal person for the job. But provide details; don't assume the interviewer knows all about your past accomplishments (even if he/she does, spell them out).

(2) Use your "insider knowledge" to come up with answers to expected questions that will target what your company wants to hear. For example, if your company is always emphasizing the importance of customer service, be sure to talk specifically about how you've enhanced customer service in your current job.

(3) Research the position for which you are applying, just as you would if it was at another company. Talk to people who work in that department; find out what they're currently working on, and their goals--then prepare to talk about how you can help to achieve those goals during the interview.

(4) Be careful not to sound too casual or overly confident, especially if you and your interviewer know each other well. You may have a great advantage over external candidates, but don't assume that's all you'll need. "Sell" yourself just as you would if interviewing for a different company.

(5) Don't assume you will know the interviewer(s). Companies often bring in people from other agencies to provide an unbiased interview panel. If this is the case, you'll have to be particularly careful about highlighting your experience and accomplishments without using company-specific jargon that an outsider might not understand.

(6) In case the hiring supervisor is thinking about bringing in an external candidate because he/she feels a need for a fresh perspective and/or new ideas, be sure to work your creativity into your answers. Show that you can be innovative and inventive, and are full of "fresh" ideas yourself!

(7) Internal candidates often overlook this step: ask for a letter of recommendation from your current boss or someone in a higher position. You may be pleasantly surprised about the supportiveness of your supervisor when it comes to helping you advance!

Bonnie Lowe
http://www.Best-Interview-Strategies.com