How to succeed in a promotion interview?
Promotion interviews are like any other interviews. You need to prepare for them like you would prepare for any other interviews. You may be good at the tasks you currently perform. But the promotion post you are eyeing may have entirely different requirements and responsibilities. So during the interview you must be able to show that you clearly understand what the job you are applying for entails. You must also be able to prove that you have what it takes to excel in this new job.
During a promotion interview you are most likely to be interviewed by a person you already know. Don’t assume that this will naturally go in your favor. You may be well known to and liked by your interviewer, but things can still go wrong. Many interviewers are worried that if you are appointed and something goes wrong, they will be held responsible by their seniors.
Before you attend the interview, try to think of all the negative things that the interviewer may consider. Have you already had an appraisal of your work by this person? Did he make any criticism during the process? If so, make sure that you can show that you have changed or learned from those things. Your inability to prove this point may cost you dearly.
Prepare thoroughly. Don’t believe that you will be given easy questions or that your ability to perform the job will be taken for granted. Chances are neither will happen. While preparing for the interview, try to get a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. You may be asked to discuss them during the interview. Don’t think that it doesn’t matter if you mention your weaknesses because the interviewer knows them anyway. It does matter, because during the process you may bring up problems the interviewer may have forgotten about.