Previously our hypothetical scenario was about going through an online job interview in the face of a lockdown. This time, after quarantine protocols have loosened up, regular work has almost resumed. Those who have lost their jobs are finding opportunities to get new ones, while those who have kept theirs are seeing opportunities for career growth.
Here’s one of them and how to trump your card.
Why do you want to move out of your current role.
Why do you want to get promoted to a higher position?
I believe I have met and surpassed expectations in my present position. Modesty aside, in a short period of time after I joined this company I have made a mark as a performer, well not exactly the flashy go getter kind but as someone who comes forward ready with sparkling figures at sales report.
The day I signed my contract with you I remember you saying that my position is challenging and that it has had a fast turn over rate. It’s indeed true. But looking at my score card now, in three months I have been able to maintain an above average performance. On three occasions I was made a resource person during our marketing and planning sessions. And when my ideas were applied thereafter, our sales just went through the roof. Sorry, I might be exaggerating. I have the numbers to show, however.
When I move up the next step, all the better I can translate these marketing ideas brewing in my head into concrete action. Specifically, I want to head a training team where I will run workshops and marketing demonstrations tailor-fit to our clients’ needs. In this capacity I can work closely and strategically with our decision-makers in hopes of maintaining target market dominance.
We have a lot of similar applications coming from equally qualified people, some coming from your own department. Why should we consider you?
My objective in seeking a higher position is driven by my vision: That is, I want to explore more possibilities and break new ground. I have proved that I can exceed expectations in my present position. My metrics explicitly and consistently show that. This doesn’t mean that I have outgrown my position. In fact, I can see the horizon expanding further afield. And that is where the bigger challenge lies.
On a rung higher where I am right now, I will be able to set my sights on juicier targets, more competitive strategies, higher stakes and therefore more substantial returns.
In particular, I want to focus on: niche creation, market expansion, and diversification.
We have rolled out the first two, and they are coming up roses, so to speak. I’d like to take it all the way through with diversification. I’m not going to do this alone, of course. I’m going to need my present team by my side as always. We are in this together. We are family.
What would be your first course of action in the new role?
I’m sort of going ahead of myself here. On my first day in my new position, I would like to lay down a clear-cut job description for myself as well as for the members of my team. I would spend a day of brainstorming with my team, threshing out internal and external issues that impact our work performance. Being my first day it should also be a welcome party: I’d like everyone to loosen up so they can speak out just about anything pertaining to themselves and their work.
Experience has taught me that one can learn so much from random idle talk. Not eavesdropping. I don’t intend to hold my team’s words against themselves, of course not.
I can steer our talk on to marketing and sales matters and extract useful information on which we will build a concrete plan. So, we’re hitting many birds with one stone by doing this activity. Above all, socialization of this kind makes everyone feel valued and worthy of management attention. A study says this results in marked productivity in the workplace.
What do you like about your current role? Could you not keep it a little longer?
The truth is, I like my current role. It has almost become a second skin. It is precisely this reason why I’d like to move up to a higher position—to avoid getting attached to it at the expense of other members of my team who may have newer, brighter plans for the position. My exit and a new one’s entrance only benefits the department provided there is an easy transition. I will certainly keep the relationship reciprocal even in my new position.
Our company culture is such that regardless of one’s position we treat each other fairly, like family. behind each other’s back especially in times of need. I have experienced this on a number of occasions in my present position. No less than the chairman of the board rang in to ask how I was doing and how could he help. I was moved by that gesture. Since then I have considered it my duty to duplicate that.
What if you don’t get this promotion?
Well, it wouldn’t be the first time, to be honest. And I wouldn’t hold it against anyone or anything. It’s probably not the right time. But I wouldn’t buckle. I’ll continue doing what I do best whether I get promoted or not, get noticed or not.
It’ s not the prestige that comes with a promotion that I’m after. Essentially, it’s the opportunity to do more, prove more to myself that propels me to strive for a higher role. If anything, there’s always a second time, a third time. No rush, no bad vibes for me really.
Some of your colleagues are also applying for this position. How do you think your status impacts your relationship with them?
It’s not a secret on the team. We’re all grown up, emotionally, mentally, psychologically. In fact, we talk about this over lunch. Seriously, while we are very competitive people, we don’t let matters such as this get in the way of our team spirit. Our bond is a lot stronger than a brush of jealousy over one’s work promotion. We tell ourselves there’s no room for that in our department.
We build each other up. We wouldn’t leave anyone behind.
If you get promoted, how long would you be satisfied with the new role?
I don’t think I’d be satisfied right away. Not while I’m in the thick of studying how my new position works and how I work within and around it. It’s pretty challenging to translate and execute your action plan while you’re learning the ropes. This may take some time. And that’s what I’m preparing for now, however prematurely it seems. To reach a point of satisfaction in a new position is a long shot, considering the amount of new issues that come up almost every day as the market and customer behavior evolve.
I’m quite certain a considerable level of satisfaction is out of reach even with my best effort. The more I’m not satisfied, the harder and longer I work at it.