To ask for tips on interview for my own job?

[Cutesbabasmummy]

I work for a local authority and they have decided to "restructure" , making everyone but the Clerk redundant. We are all at risk even though they are actually increasing the total number of staff. I have an interview tomorrow for what is to all intents and purposes my existing job with a new title, a few more responsibilities and up to £4k less in salary. I need the job to pay the bills and our mortgage. My DH works full time for the NHS and we have a 6 year old so we aren't well off but we manage.AIBU to ask for tips on how to get the job? Top tops for interviewing for your own job! Thank you x

It is really difficult being interviewed for your own job or being interviewed by people you know. Don't assume these people know what you do or how you work. Mention everything as you would to an interviewer who doesn't know you or what you do.

Make sure you can back up everything on the job description with examples and don’t assume that they know anything.

The interviewers will have boxes to tick and if you don’t mention something (even if it’s something you are sure they already know you do), they won’t necessarily include it in their deliberations.

Good luck!

Absolutely second the not assuming they know stuff, you have to treat it as a brand new interview. Especially in a council, they will be following a strict process and if you don't mention things, they won't be able to count them. I had a similar restructure a few years ago and one of my longstanding colleagues didn't get a job because she didn't mention things she knew the interviewer knew.

I have had to do this and kept my job. The best advice I can give us act as though it is a new role and you don’t know the interviewees. Back up all your answers with concrete examples - don’t think ‘oh they know what I have done’. Practice and research the types of questions that will come up. It is a horrible experience so my heart goes out to you . Good luck x

Totally agree - they'll have boxes to tick of things they're looking for in the interview. To conduct the interviews fairly, they can't tick something they know you do if you haven't said it.

Another vote here for not assuming knowledge on their part about you. Even if you feel daft giving them an example that they were actually present for and/or that they likely already know, remember they can't give you any points for what you don't mention in the room. I missed out on an opportunity that should have been mine (was already doing the job!) because I didn't pad out my answers appropriately and just left them to fill in the gaps with what they already had seen of my work, it really stung to get that feedback and I was mildly exasperated by it given they said 'we know you could do the job but you didn't demonstrate it in that 30 minute interview'. Learn from my lesson haha! Best of luck x

Definitely some things to think about thanks. In my application I matched all the criteria with examples so I will take that along for reference. One plus point of zoom is the can't see all my notes!!

Agree with PP.

Don't say things like "I have great written and verbal communication skills" and leave it like that. You have to follow up by saying "for example, I produced a briefing focument on X for the department, have participated in various meetings with external stakeholders and regularly fdeal with written and telephone communications from service users." Good luck!

document

Second what is said above. I was once interviewed for my own job. I must have been doing it well as I had also been acting up into my boss's job when she was on secondment. I didn't get the job. Someone a level below me got it as a promotion. I assumed they had read my application form and did not repeat what was in there. Big mistake. I also had the wrong body language apparently cos I knew the panel and knew the role, too relaxed. New person was absolutely useless in post too

I would say : Make sure you have an example of every tiny aspect of the job description. Not just the bullet points but any other supporting information. Despite the circumstances, stay positive and don't criticise. Be able to answer standard interview questions like what are your weaknesses and strengths, with job related examples. Jobs Go Public used to have a list. Make sure you know basics about the council and your department.

Don't belittle or downplay anything you do.

I have to add... nothing wrong with taking notes anyway- just ask . I have in my last two successful interviews after interviewing someone who did- I thought it was a good idea! I have had a positive response to having notes - shows you are keen!

Absolutely act like it is an interview for a new job, not one you already have. Take notes in. Act like the interviewer doesn't have any idea what your current role is and explain every relevant aspect of it. Also, do not downplay your role in things because you know the interviewer and are embarrassed to big yourself up. I was interviewed for a promotion by people I worked with and their feedback was I kept saying 'we did this' and 'we did that' when they wanted to know what I specifically did and for me to promote myself. I was scared to do that because I thought they would think I was lying because they knew I worked on it with other people.

It's not your job. Ditch the attitude.
It is a totally new job.
Look at the competencies and skills required. Think of how you will demonstrate that you have done these.
Do not say "I've been doing it for x years"

Thank you. I had the interview on Tuesday and I was very clear that it was a new job and not my current job. (Although in reality it is the same).