Tomorrow (Monday) I have a promotion interview for a move to a people-manager role from a project-based role.

Anonymous

April 10,2022 at 2:22PM UTC

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Tomorrow (Monday) I have a promotion interview for a move to a people-manager role from a project-based role. I'll be interviewing with my current boss, and his boss who I also interviewed with for my current role. It took me a beat to decide to go for the position, working through a lot of fear and impostor syndrome. I'm coming to this move a bit late in life, as over the years I held myself back from advancement in my current career while I pursued other goals, and also because in my last position at another company I stayed stuck high-performing for years while being breadcrumbed. No raise, no promotion, with excellent reviews & feedback, for over 6 years. I felt good when I decided to pursue this promotion at my new company, but now with the interview looming tomorrow, here come my old friends fear and impostor syndrome, and I'm feeling frozen and finding it hard to prepare. It should be a "warm room" - I believe they both want to promote me. But I'm afraid I'm going to sabotage this promotion by saying something stupid, not preparing enough, and blowing the interview - Something I've done in the past. I want to succeed and push through this moment in my career to the next step. I do want to be a people manager, and this feels like the right opportunity at the right time. And it feels like breakers in the ocean, and I can see the other side. So I am looking for any advice for promotion interviews - questions to prepare for and questions to ask - and/or advice regarding pushing back this personal nonsense I am burying myself in.

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Michelle PrinceApril 10,2022 at 2:41PM UTC
It's natural to feel a bit anxious, especially when you really, really want something. One exercise I do with my clients that you may find helpful is to write down 8-10 reasons why you should get the promotion - these are from the employer's perspective, showing the value you have brought so far and the value you will bring in the new role (not because you want or deserve it, instead quantify your value). Use these during your interviews. Good luck!!
Gretchen SkalkaApril 10,2022 at 2:52PM UTC
Below are a few very common questions for these types of interviews, so preparing to answer them ahead of time can help calm your nerves.
Why should we pick you for this role?
You've been there a bit now and you know both interviewers, but you still need to sell yourself. The keys here are confidence in your abilities, willingness to continue growth and learning and making an overall positive impact on the team you'll be managing. What is the value to the company to have you in the role?
How have you grown since first working here? or What has been your biggest accomplishment in the department/company?
How you describe yourself reveals a lot. This question is also important because it shows your ability to pull back from a situation and see a bigger picture - often difficult on a pesonal level. It could also be revelatory for you as a personnel manager who may be guiding the career path of others. Also - think about how your growth or accomplishments have brought value to the company.
What concerns do you have if you were to get this promotion?
Stay positive with this. Really think it through. Concerns is a big topic, so you want to have a pre-prepared answer that drills down to something that can be addressed if needed.
If you get the promotion, what would be your objectives or what would you look to accomplish in the first XX (weeks, days, months)?
This is where they want to know you've done your research and understand the role and what it means to the company. You can really make an impact by illustrating that you understand the significance of the role because you've invested time in doing so.
In addition to those - please have your own questions for them.
Below are a few you might consider - if they're applicable:
How does this role fit with the company’s bigger picture?
Based on our conversation so far, what areas do you feel I can being the most impact to the position?
Do you have any reservations about my readiness for this role?
How will performance be evaluated for this role?
What did you find most impactful from the person who had the role before?
What do you feel the person moving into this role will find the most challenging?
Above all - this is a conversation. Don't look at it like - or go into it thinking - it's an inquisition.
Just a conversation. You've got something great to bring to the role - and bring that confidence right along with you!
Good luck!! Please let us know how it went!
Heide FramilApril 11,2022 at 1:20AM UTC
I'll take note of this advice. Thanks for sharing!