Promoting from the inside

[Amylou]

There is a job i am going to go for. Its with a large environment group. Iv been told that i have no chance as they only ever promote from inside the company and only advertise outside because they have to. For anyone who has worked or works in a larger group, how much is that true?

[zan]

It is true to an extent, I believe. But it's also true (I think) that anyone meeting the essential criteria be interviewed, and if you don't get the job, you're completely within your rights to ask them why you didn't get it (in a constructive way, not an abusive one though!). It just depends as there are ways round it. Often, the job description will be tailored to suit the person they have in mind (if they have an internal person lined up already), but it does have to be a fair process. I would go for it and see what happens - don't be put off by rumours you've heard from elsewhere.

Zan

[eeyore]

Also if they didnt want external applicants they wouldnt be advertising externally - it is perfectly legal for an organisation to advertise jobs only in its internal press if there are sufficient candidates.

of course sometimes you will get applicants from the same large organisation applying externally and they will have an advantage (ie they already know the ways of the organisation and the organisation knows it can work with them) but its not a done deal - several times in my career i have actually beaten the "internal" candidate for posts simply by outshining them at interview (tho this is a complete pain if you then have to work with, or manage them )

[Amylou]

I have to admit taht one of the essential criteria is knowledge of how the company works with regards business procedures and quality assurance. Someone on the inside will know this much better, but it can be learned.

[RogerTheCat]

I work in Local Government and if my boss has someone internal lined up for a job he just advertises it internally. If there is no internal candidate lined up for the job then it is advertised externally. It appears to be perfectly acceptable (although not to me) and legitimate.

Regarding the essential criteria can you do some research. Have a look at the companies website as that can be a good source of information. Do they publish annual reports, strategy documents, anything that may help. Also phone them up and ask what they are looking for. They will not tell you the answer but should give a few pointers.

[Amylou]

My dad made a good point. This post is for someone who is quite low in the ranks. So to promote from the inside they would have to promote a cleaner or something....

[sometimes]

If you haven't applied, apply.

Research the company on the web. Have a word with their HR people and ask them if you can have a chat with somebody on how the company works as an organisation.
Sometimes there's a 'job contact', see if you can get a meeting.
Your prime 'task' is to get to interview. From there everything is positive. Go to the interview, get the job - done deal.
Go to the interview, don't the job - approach the company and ask them for feedback, most larger orgs ought to do this, is part of the 'people' thing they do now. It's not going to help you for this job, but feedback will be able to do some proper reflection based on other people's perceptions not yours. At the end of the day you have to sell yourself to them. If they ask you a bunch of questions related to 'non-skill' subjects. like aspirations, good and bad experiences, etc. which you weren't prepared for, you can be prepared next time.
Go to the interview, don't get the job - you didn't get this job, i know a fair number of people who have been offered alternative positions, or, when another job comes up and you only just missed, then maybe they'll look more favourably next time.
If you don't get to interview, contact them and ask why not - not in a sort of arsy kind of way, but looking to improve yourself - you never know the candidate they want might take another job.

Sorry if this is all obvious, but it's easy to be defeatest before you start and as a consequence be too humble. Can you imagine trying to interview somebody who thinks the job is going to somebody else....it will.

[Amylou]

Didnt even get interview! I didnt make the criteria.....even though from what they put in advert i totally did!

Oh well.

[coasty]

Dont be put of trying. I work for a very large company (4000+ ) employees, I sometimes have been involved with recruitment and the number of suitable candidates can be truly overwhelming..

Keep trying but the advise to research the company is very important and try to be creative and tailor your CV to every position you apply for I cant overstate how important this is..

Often the first stage of selection for large companies is by the HR dept. They will do this on a very much tick box mentality try and make sure that you tick all the boxes even if you have to be imaginative,,,,and that the essential skills are clear to see on your CV,,,

Remember your application is to get an interview not a job,,You need to sell yourself hard...

Good luck

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by coasty

Dont be put of trying. I work for a very large company (4000+ ) employees, I sometimes have been involved with recruitment and the number of suitable candidates can be truly overwhelming..

Keep trying but the advise to research the company is very important and try to be creative and tailor your CV to every position you apply for I cant overstate how important this is..

Often the first stage of selection for large companies is by the HR dept. They will do this on a very much tick box mentality try and make sure that you tick all the boxes even if you have to be imaginative,,,,and that the essential skills are clear to see on your CV,,,

Remember your application is to get an interview not a job,,You need to sell yourself hard...

Good luck

and if at all possible get a job description and person spec from the employer before you apply (these are often available on thir website or if not from their HR depts) - you can't rely on the job add for a full list of the criteria as this is by necessity of budget often breif.