How to succeed at an interview against someone who is already doing the role

[peanutmandmss]

I have an interview this week, and the role is a level up from what I am doing now. It is likely that people may be applying who are already at that level.
This happened for the last role I applied for and I got very positive feedback but was told another candidate was already doing that role and so they got the job.

I almost feel like I'm never going to make that step up because I can't get the experience in the role until someone gives me the chance!

Any tips on how I can really impress at the interview and shine above somebody who might already be at that level?

Do you see people doing this role day in day out? If so, give ideas and examples of ways you could improve on what you see happening. Obviously no need to go into an interview slating other employees but if there are shortcomings, or things that could be done better, the recruiter would be happy to hear them.

I recently got a promotion by thinking along these lines.

Have a vision.

What do you want it to look like
What improvement can you bring

Do you think there's some kind of cheat code?

A candidate who is already de facto in post is tough to beat because they have real, tangible evidence of their performance in the role. They are a much smaller risk than an outsider. The only thing you can do is be better than them. Bring something valuable they don't have. Which will be different in every situation.

Be better than them!
I got a job by nearly matching the current temp staff (been there 2.5 years) in terms of technical knowledge, but having far superior softer skills. Well, according to the manager who had a very low opinion of GDPR anyway.

If there is a cheat code, then yes I'd like that please!

This is my point, I feel that I do have a lot to bring and just because someone is already at a certain level doesn't necessarily mean they're always the best fit.

Just asking for tips on how to showcase at an interview

The person in the role knows it inside out. They therefore know exactly what the interviewer is looking for and can pitch their answers accordingly.

Is there any way you can acquire that knowledge? Job shadowing etc. if within the same company?

To be blunt, you can't know you'll be great at the job until you're in it and neither can they!

I've had exactly this experience last week.
Interested in the answers. Though I suspect it's too late for me now. Waiting for a decision.

@UserError012345 good luck!

Is it a competency based interview?

If yes do you know what the competencies are and have you got good solid examples you could use for all of them?

For example if the competency is 'Be agile' do you have an example of a preferably recent time you adjusted to meet an urgent need, reprioritised, delegated etc.

Can you deliver that in the STAR format (Situation, task, action, result)

'I was working through my list of BAU activities when I was notified that a team member would be unable to attend work and had a presentation that was due to be delivered to an important client that day. I agreed to take on the presentation as I was aware of the urgency and importance of the task. I went through my list and prioritised activities that needed to be completed that day and identified which of those I could realistically complete. I approached my colleagues and explained the situation, then chi of my colleagues would be able to support my tasks based on their skill level and available time. I clearly explained what needed to be done, the time expectation, provided reference material where needed and established a check in point to make sure those activities progressed.

I then reviewed the presentation and familiarised myself with the material. I confirmed my understanding of any areas I was less familiar with.

I delivered the presentation receiving positive feedback from both the client and my line manager. My colleagues were able to complete the activities assigned to them and I completed the remainder of the high priority items that day and the rest of the list the next day which remained within SLA.

I made sure to express my appreciation to the team, as they supported my ability to be flexible in this situation'.

If you hit all the points and if the interview is scored, then in theory you have the ability to be successful even over someone who is already in post.

Get some experience at the next level up, even if it’s some shadowing. Believe me just because someone’s already doing a job doesn’t mean they are the best person. We have lots of people who couldn’t impress at interview who are doing the jobs, but many more keen newbies who have enthusiasm and drive. Anyone can be trained to do a certain role, not everyone’s got the drive to be someone want on your team. I’d want someone who had got themselves some development, tried lots of different ways of getting experience even though not at that level. Good luck

I once got a promotion in these circumstances by not being the person already doing it. They were competent but had pissed off the whole team. So it depends why the role is being advertised, is it a token gesture at a fair proccess or are they really looking for someone new?

I’ve done interviews in similar situations and been on both sides of the fence.

On one hand if someone else is doing it then there’s a high chance this is just a procedure to be ‘fair’ to everyone else.

That said as the interviewer/manager I may not have made my mind up. Having someone new in the team with ideas, a fresh look, eager to learn and other experiences could trump the other candidates and/or suggest to me another position or path later on for you could be made.

Some people take a promotion, aren’t good at it, or move on suddenly which means doors are always open.

I would practice your interview technique and answers, you want to give the best account of your self as possible, whilst also showing your personality.

I’ve found in experience people don’t realise how much personality can sway a role. I manage a team and if everyone in my team was like me we’d be a nightmare and nothing would get done 😂 so there’s a balance to be had.

Do some research further on the role, company (even if you’ve been there years there’s always something new to find), be inquisitive and don’t forget it’s an interview for them for you too. Ask about development plans, training. What are they looking for in a candidate and what would the person successful have to do to hit the ground running.