Applying to a New Internal Role

Apr 8, 2025 | Podcast

World at Work Podcast Ep 110 applying to a new internal role

“Every single person that is working with you is usually capable of far more than you realize.”

There may come a time when an internal position is posted that piques your interest. The only challenge is that it is very different work from what you’ve been doing. Now you’re trying to figure out how to stand out when applying for a new role within your organization. It’s actually a challenge I’ve faced personally. My biggest lesson? Communication is everything

When you become known for a specific role or project, your colleagues might not be aware of your previous experiences or hidden skills. Simply applying for the role might not be enough to get noticed. So what do you do? Make it known. Sit down with the hiring manager and articulate your passion for the role. Share any relevant experience they might not know about. And when it comes to your resume, don’t shy away from highlighting ongoing training. Include those anticipated completion dates!

Katie also brought up a crucial point for leaders: remain open-minded. Your current employees might surprise you with skills you didn’t know they had. Treat internal candidates with the same rigor as external ones. It’s about ensuring you have the right person, motivated and passionate about the role, who might otherwise go overlooked.

Remember, every person on your team is often capable of much more than they’re currently doing. It’s important to provide a space for growth and development. The magic happens when motivated people step into new roles, outpacing even the most experienced candidates. Leaders can create the environment where talents are recognized and nurtured. When they learn how to do this, our businesses and our people will thrive.