You May Not Be the Inside Candidate
But you can still be the top choice for the job, argues Kay Kimball Gruder, who offers advice for how to increase your odds.
“'Why should I even bother going on the interview? I know that one of the other finalists already works there!' exclaimed my advisee.
While it is easy to get stuck on all the challenges of competing with an internal candidate and to feel that the interview will be an exercise in futility, consider employing a number of strategies to position yourself as a competitive external candidate. Instead of deciding that the internal candidate already has the job, take time to focus on what you can distinctly contribute as the external candidate. In addition, give thought to what the internal candidate possesses that you don’t, and take action steps where possible to strengthen your interviewing in those areas."
For the full article, visit: https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2019/09/16/how-get-job-when-youre-competing-against-internal-candidate-opinion
Kay Kimball Gruder is assistant director of graduate student career programs and services at the University of Connecticut and a member of the Graduate Career Consortium -- an organization providing a national voice for graduate-level career and professional development leaders.