What interview may occur when you are being considered for employment a promotion or a reassignment?

Common Misconceptions About Reclassification

The employee on the line was cordial, clear and direct: “I just got my degree, so when do I get reclassified?”  This call represents one of the common misconceptions about the University’s classification system.  Classification is based solely upon the duties assigned to a position, not the qualifications of the incumbent. Put simply, we classify the JOB, not the person. We receive daily inquiries about classification, with the most common misconception revolving around this person-position distinction.  Besides educational attainment, other person-related factors that we do not take into consideration when classifying a position include:

Longevity — The length of time a person has worked at the University may positively affect a persons performance on the job, however, it is not a factor we use in determining the level of a position.

Speed — How fast a person can work or how much they can produce compared to others is a factor of performance.  Reclassifications do not take into account an employee's performance.

Retention — “She’s been offered a promotion”, more than one supervisor has complained. “If I can’t match it, I’ll lose my best employee.” While we understand your dilemma, the fear of losing an employee cannot be considered in classification decisions. The Equity Guidelines may be of interest to you and can be discussed with your Compensation Analyst.

Financial Need — “I just bought a new home, my daughter’s a sophomore at Vassar, I need a new car and my dog has ringworm.” Most of us could find a way to spend more money, and some occasionally have dire need, but classification cannot take personal financial conditions into consideration.

Dedication — We often hear about employees who, “Always arrive early, leave late, never take breaks, work weekends, etc.” Again this is a performance issue and should be addressed during annual merits.

Personality — An employee's unique personality to work in unusual conditions and with difficult co-workers is not a factor that can be considered when classifying a position. Unique skill and/or ability required for a position, however, can be considered and should be spelled out in the job description.

Future Projects — We only classify duties being currently performed, not those that might be added to a job down the line. As such, we suggest that reclassification request be delayed until new projects or assignments have begun.

What, then, are some of the factors taken into consideration when making classification decisions? In brief, classification is based upon several factors:  the nature, variety and difficulty of the duties; the responsibility for staff and resources; the knowledge and originality required; and the authority and relative autonomy of the position (see previous section "Determinant Factors")

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Moving on Up: Answering Interview Questions for a Promotion

If you have found the right career path for you, the next step is to find ways and means to climb the company ladder. Every so often, an organisation announces that there is a new job available which represents a promotion opportunity for you. If you believe it is time to make your move, you will have to convince your employer that you’re the right person to take the company forward.

On the one hand, you are a ‘known quantity’ within the company which means many of the usual interview questions won’t apply. On the other hand, you are one of probably several ambitious candidates which means competition is fierce. If you’re up against external candidates, it could be an even tougher interview because more is expected of you. In this guide, we outline the likely interview questions you’ll face when seeking a promotion, along with some killer answers to advance your cause.

What is a Promotion Interview?

As the name suggests, a promotion interview, sometimes called an ‘internal interview,’ involves answering questions in a bid to show your suitability for promotion. Although the setting is similar to a standard interview, the bar is set higher as you have to exceed the hiring team’s expectations.

The questions you’ll receive are more advanced, and, since you already work at the organisation, it already knows most, if not all, of your strengths, weakness, and achievements.

How to Prepare for a Promotion Interview

Plenty of preparation is required. Here are a few tips to consider before the interview:

• Speak to your supervisor before applying for a promotion. They should hear it from you rather than someone else, and it also gives you the chance to get feedback regarding your performance. They may also have some insights into the position you’re seeking.
• Don’t assume you know everything about your company. Refresh your memory with regards to its mission, values, and vision.
• Look at the skills requested in the job description and match the skills you possess with them. Categorise them into hard and soft skills and get ready to talk about them with the interviewers.
• Understand that criticism is likely and prepare for it. The hiring team will probably have access to performance reviews and will almost certainly ask questions about your weaknesses.
• Prepare specific examples of your best achievements to date, complete with data to back up your claims.

Once you’re ready for the interview, here are some of the questions you’re likely to face, along with sample answers.

What Was Your Biggest Achievement in Your Department?

The interviewer wants to determine whether your accomplishments to date warrant a promotion. You need to show that you’re ambitious, goal-orientated, and ready to move up the ladder. Highlight a success you’re proud of that massively benefited the company.

Sample Answer

“About six months ago, our biggest client was ready to walk away. I requested a meeting to determine why a company that had never shown any desire to leave was suddenly about to go. During the meeting, I helped resolve their concerns, and as you probably know, the client is still with us now. At that point, I realised I was ready for the next step forward.”

How Would Your Colleagues Describe You?

Realistically, the interviewer probably knows the answer already! Look for feedback from your team before the interview but don’t lie. However, try to avoid dwelling on any negatives.

Sample Answer

“My colleagues would describe me as upbeat, efficient, meticulous, and energetic.”

If You Get the Job, How Will You Handle Colleagues Who Missed Out on the Promotion?

Things can get tense if a few members of a team try to gain the promotion. The hiring team wants to ensure there won’t be any conflicts with colleagues should you get chosen.

Sample Answer

“I intend to maintain the same relationships as before. I will also mentor my team and let them know they can come to me with any concerns. In addition, I’ll encourage open and honest communication to deal with any issues as and when they arise.”

What Will Your Response Be If You Don’t Get the Promotion?

The interviewer wants to know whether you’ll remain professional or handle it badly if rejected. They also want to know if you’re likely to leave if you don’t receive the promotion.

Sample Answer

“Obviously, I will be very disappointed because I genuinely believe I am ready for the role and can make a positive difference. Nonetheless, I completely understand the complexities of hiring, so if the company feels I am not the best person for the job, it must find the person who is. I will continue working hard and maintain a high standard of performance in any case.”

What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Current Position?

The interviewer wants to know why you enjoy working with the organisation. You need to outline what you do for the company in your current position, discuss future objectives, and showcase your loyalty.

Sample Answer

“I have grown with this company and have been here for eight years. I feel like I am part of a family here and would rather stay and grow than go anywhere else. During my time at ACME Limited as a sales executive, I have helped increase sales of our flagship product by 85% while overseeing the release of six new items. I think our products are the best on the market and want to remain here to help the organisation get to the very top.”

If You Receive the Job, When Would You Expect Your Next Promotion?

There is a fine line between being ambitious and greedy! The interviewer wants to ensure that your mind is on this job, rather than you already looking at the next step upwards. You have to acknowledge that a lot of hard work awaits, which will be your main focus for now.

Sample Answer

“Promotions only occur due to hard work over a long period. While I am ambitious, I have never expected a promotion as an entitlement, nor have I ever taken my focus away from my current position. If promoted, I intend to concentrate on what the role demands above everything else in the knowledge that future promotions must be earned the hard way.”

If Promoted, What Would You Hope to Accomplish in the Next 3, 6, 12 Months?

Performing detailed research into the role, and your company can pay dividends when answering this. You can use your knowledge to show the interviewer that you understand what the organisation expects from you in the short, medium, and long term. The interviewer might also want to know if you’re aiming for any personal goals.

Sample Answer

“In the short-term, I aim to boost the morale of my colleagues and set realistic goals. Within the next 12 months, I want to reduce expenditure by 25% by eliminating wasteful spending. Furthermore, I’m looking to lead my team in generating innovative ideas that help boost company revenue.”

What Training Will You Need to Become a Success in This Position?

Even if you’ve been with the company for a long time, you’ll still need help settling into a new post. Your answer should honestly outline your training requirements while still showing your ability to take the initiative.

Sample Answer

“The primary thing I would need help with is the company’s inventory management software. It is brand new, and I have no experience in using it. However, I have mastered previous company software and have no doubt it will be the same situation here.”

Promotion Interview Questions & Answers

Why Did You Apply for This Job?

Occasionally, this question may be framed as ‘Prove that you’re ready for a promotion.’ It is always a risk to hire a new employee, especially when it is a higher-ranking job and candidates have never worked at that level before. When answering this question, acknowledge that it is a new challenge but provide evidence of your relevant accomplishments.

If you have a track record of rising to the occasion when you’ve been promoted before, make sure you outline it. It is also crucial to mention any endorsements from managers who can vouch for your ability to handle the new responsibilities.

Why Do You Deserve This Job?

In other words: “why haven’t you been promoted yet?” If you’re seeking a promotion, it probably means you’ve been working at the firm for several years. Clearly, you feel that it’s your time to shine, but the question remains: How come you are still in your current position?

It could be as simple as not having had the opportunity before. If you tried and failed, to achieve promotion in the past, show that you have improved and matured as an employee and person in the interim. Address any previous concerns about your ability to handle the new role, and point to your work performance ever since as proof that you are consistent and reliable.

We Notice That You [Insert on The Job ‘Failure’ Here]

Make no mistake, if you apply for a promotion, your career to date will be placed under the microscope. It is unlikely that you have a perfect employment record and any mistakes or blunders you have made will be brought up during the interview. Maybe you lost a client, missed a deadline, or had an altercation with a colleague. Whatever it is, you have to convince your company that it was an aberration rather than the norm.

Overcome their objections by admitting your part in the mistake and explain what you learned from the incident. Discuss your other strengths as a candidate and make sure your timing is right. If the issue only happened a few months ago, it will be hard to overcome it at the promotion interview.

Questions to Ask during a Promotion Interview

• What is the #1 quality someone needs to be successful in this role?
• How has this role developed/evolved in the last few years?
• What role does this job play in the company’s bigger picture?
• Does this job involve collaborating with other departments?
• Where do you picture the company being in five years’ time?
• How can I make the position better than it is advertised now?
• Do you have any reservations about my suitability for the role that I can address?

Questions to Ask at the end of a Promotion Interview

• What are the biggest challenges that a person in this position will likely encounter?
• What are the most important things I can do to succeed in my first month on the job?
• How is performance evaluated for this position?
• What departments will I be collaborating with most often?
• Why is this position available now?
• What did my successor do right to succeed in this position?
• What are the most important skills for a person to possess to succeed in this position?
• What would my transition into the new role look like?
• When can I expect to hear back from you?

Negotiating Salary during a Promotion

The issue of salary and benefits is always an awkward one as we are told that it is ‘impolite,’ ‘vulgar’ or even ‘presumptuous’ do negotiate it during an interview. This feeling does not change when promotion is involved. In fact, it may amplify it. The fact is, human beings are generally ‘risk averse’ and are afraid to lose what they have. Hiring managers know this and do their best to avoid the issue of salary in the expectation that you won’t bring it up either.

However, if you are a serious contender for promotion, it is important to know how much the position pays. After all, it will involve more work and responsibility than your previous job so why shouldn’t you be properly remunerated?

Salary negotiation Tips

• Understand Your Worth: Go through our salary guides to discover the likely salary ranges in your position. Use this as your starting point and be realistic; if you don’t have a huge amount of experience, you’re unlikely to receive the top end of the range at the beginning.
• Flip the Question: If the company discusses salary, you can use the default ‘my salary is negotiable’ position if taken by surprise. If nothing else, explain that you need to know more about the new role’s responsibilities before you commit. Alternatively, ask your employer: “what is the salary range you normally pay for this role?” If it is lower than you feel is adequate, you can sidestep the promotion for now.
• Consider the Bigger Picture: If you’re unhappy with the salary bump attached to the promotion, don’t turn it down without considering the long-term benefits. Remember, you are moving up in the world so even if you’re not getting the money today, it will come eventually. If nothing else, you gain valuable experience you can leverage against future job opportunities.

What is a promotion interview?

What questions should I ask in an interview for a promotion?

Why should we consider you for this promotion answer?

What should I say in a promotion interview?