24 February 2010
By Matthew Salois
Job interviews, never a favourite experience of mine, have been a common occurrence these past few weeks. One particular interview merits reflection – the interview at my home university (the University of Reading) for a lectureship in climate change economics.
Being the internal candidate against a group of highly qualified external candidates induced some awkward feelings for a few reasons. First, a few people on the hiring committee knew me well. Second, there were a few people on the hiring committee who knew nothing about me. Lastly, the job candidates spent the day together and it became quickly known that I was already employed by the department.
The first reason presented a challenge – to try and impress those people on the hiring committee who already know what I am made of. When the interviewer already has a good notion of your strength and weaknesses, how do you persuade the interviewer that you are the best person for the job? I found it challenging to try and find something new about myself to impress those who were already familiar with my background.
The second reason was a bit unnerving because the people I did not know were curious as to why they did not know me. If I am such a great candidate and the perfect person for the job, why is my name so completely unfamiliar? I needed to convey to them, in even stronger terms, why I was best suited for the job.
Finally, I have never been involved in an interview where all the candidates actually meet each other! We met at 9am and took turns meeting different people in the department and making our academic presentation. We had lunch together, followed by an individual final panel interview while the other candidates were left in a common waiting area to chat. It became clear (not by me) early on that I was already working there, which was a curious feeling. Namely because the other candidates were asking me questions about the university, living in Reading, and the people they might be working with. All of this left me feeling a bit inside-out.
Overall, the experience was a positive one, albeit an altogether uniquely challenging one. Although being the internal candidate generated some challenges and awkward moments, spending time with the other candidate was actually enjoyable and refreshingly sociable. I felt impressed to be in a crowd of very qualified people.
Have others experienced an interview as the internal candidate?
Blanka Sengerová25 February 2010 at 11:09 AM
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I haven't had an experience as an internal candidate but last December I did get interviewed at Syngenta for a protein biochemist job. We were all interviewed on the same day by several people (because after the application deadline a few more positions were opened that were similar to the one we applied for), had lunch together, and chatted quite amiably. I agree that meeting the other candidates was actually quite useful (I believe we didn't meet everyone as there were two interview days). There was an internal candidate present, but I didn't feel that it made him more or less suitable than any of the rest of us, as he had to jump through the same hoops and do well in interview. But maybe this is different in academia and industry?
Rachel Talbot25 February 2010 at 11:48 AM
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I’ve been an internal candidate twice – both in the same department. The first time there were external candidates that I didn’t meet but there was another internal candidate who also worked in my team. It was slightly odd as we both know the other had applied and we worked normally in the office until our interview slots. I didn’t get the job – my colleague did. More bizarre was that I was already doing some work for the project which the job related to so I was part of the ‘handover’ process. However this wasn’t as awkward or difficult as it sounds – it was a research position and we were both project workers on administration/technical grades – my colleague had more experience in key areas of the project. It actually was a very positive experience for me as I was able to demonstrate my capabilities to the interview panel some of whom were not aware that I had the ability and educational background to be a fully fledged researcher. When another researcher left and work needed doing urgently I was seconded to that role. When the job was officially advertised I applied and got it. What makes being an internal candidate so scary is that you have to make a good impression to people who you know and potentially have to continue to work with. However, as in my case, the opportunity to sell yourself can be rewarding in the long run!
Tennie Videler25 February 2010 at 12:08 PM
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Great post and Matthew- did you get the job? I have had two interviews where all the candidates met up (I got neither). I have kept in touch with people from both groups, in one case with the person who got the job (none of us got a job from the other occasion). It is a strange situation, but definitely a great networking opportunity as you have all got something in common and are likely to bump into each other again as you're looking to work in the same field. In addition I have met people who have got a job I had applied for afterwards. In this situation you know that they've got the position you once coveted but they don't know that you were after it. So it may be worth handling it more sensitively than I did on the first occasion, where I said something along the lines of 'Hello, you've got the job I applied for!'. But again, a networking opener if used well...
Matthew Salois01 March 2010 at 06:43 PM
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First off, I did NOT get the job. They offered it to another post-doc (an external candidate) with at least ten more years experience than me. After looking at his CV, he honestly deserved it. Blanka, I enjoyed reading about your experience. You know, at first I thought that being an internal candidate would be an advantage, then I started to feel that it was a disadvantage. Honestly, I feel it comes down to perception, as that largely impacts interview performance. Rachel, that certainly sounds like an awkward experience! I appreciate how you are able to pull out the positive aspects of the experience, and I hope to do the same. Tennie, I'll definitely be keeping in touch with the person who did get the job since our offices will be right next to each other! But you make a good point; these sorts of interviews do make for good networking opportunities.