"Re-interview" for Your Own Job

Your company is restructuring – and many
roles and jobs are changing too.
The new structure may make sense
for the "new strategy" and the "new organization," but where will
it leave YOU?
Restructuring can affect everyone – some people may change
departments, others may change responsibilities, and yet others
may be asked to relocate. So does this mean good news or bad news
for you? Will you end up with a job you don't like, or lose your
job altogether? Or is this the opportunity you've been waiting
for?
Understandably, you may not like having to re-interview for what
feels like your own job – the new job that will replace it in the
new structure. In fact, it's quite common to feel angry and
insulted.
But don't take this personally. If your boss values you and the
quality of your work, this can be a great chance to gain a
challenging and interesting role in the restructured organization
– and the newly defined position may be better than your old one!
Remember, you have the experience and qualifications to do this
job, and you have time to prepare for the interview. So grasp the
opportunity, and make the most of the situation!

Note:
Even if your company doesn't
restructure, re-interviewing skills can help if you want to
apply for any internal position – whether it's a promotion
or a lateral move. An as internal candidate, you may be held
to a higher standard than outside applicants, because you're
expected to know more about the organization. Be prepared to
talk specifically about how you'll address the challenges of
the new job.

Tips for Re-interviewing
The number-one rule is to take this seriously. You are not
guaranteed to keep your job, so this isn't simply a
"rubber-stamping" exercise. This process is just as serious as
applying for a different job with a different company.
However, your preparation is different from interviewing for an
outside job. And the interviewing approach can be different. You
probably won't be given that "getting to know you" easy warm-up at
the start of the conversation. These interviews are usually
hard-hitting from the start. You're expected to know the job, and
you have to prove that you're up to the challenge.
Here are some guidelines to follow for your re-interview.
Analyze the Job for Required Competencies
List the most important skills needed for the job. You probably
have the ability to do the work, otherwise you might have been
laid off in the initial rounds of restructuring. What personal
areas of competence are rewarded, expected, and talked about
within the company?
Here's a list of competencies to consider:



Achievement orientation
Analytical ability
Communication skills
Creativity
Decision making skills
Diversity orientation
Flexibility


Initiative
Interpersonal skills
Job motivation
Judgment
Leadership
Management skills
Organizational skills


Persuasiveness
Planning skills
Presentation skills
Problem solving skills
Team building/ Teamwork
Time management



Start from first principles by looking at the
job as you think it is, but then check job specifications and
published information as well: While these may or may not accurately
reflect the reality of the job, these are likely to be the documents
that the people interviewing you are working from.
To help identify your competencies, consult these sources:

Performance evaluations.
Documentation of goals/objectives set and met.
Personal letters of commendation.

Prepare Examples
The interviewer will look for proof that you can do the job well.
Have examples of your work fresh in your mind (depending on the
position, you may want to bring examples, such as advertisements
or brochures you designed). Be ready to discuss five to seven
examples of your skills and competencies. It's best to have a good
balance of examples showing technical skills (perhaps
demonstrating how you did something) as well as personal
competency (perhaps showing how you dealt with a difficult
situation or person). Use these examples when you're asked
questions. Remember to concentrate on those areas that you've
identified as critical to job success.
Prepare Supporting Evidence
Be ready to back up your claims. You can tell people that you're
great at organizing, but your statement carries more weight if you
support it with solid data. How did you or your team contribute to
the timeliness of the project? How much money and time did the
company save because you prepared the project properly?
Consider the following:

Sales/revenue you generated.
Money you saved.
Positive feedback your clients gave you.
Creative solutions you implemented.
Problems you solved.
Contributions you made to specific improvements.
Initiatives you took.
Commitment, dedication, and loyalty you demonstrated.

Address Your Boss's Needs
Typically, your boss will have a direct say in whether you're
rehired.
In the interview, provide evidence and describe
why your performance has benefited the organization, and how it
will continue to do so – this is your first line of attack.
However, then move on to how your skills, experience, and actions
can have a positive effect on your boss and his or her goals. How
have you and will you make your boss's job easier? How will you
help your boss perform more effectively? Providing that you're not
cynical in the way you do this, these points can give you an edge
over other equally qualified candidates.
Prove Your Enthusiasm
Your attitude can be as important as your knowledge and skills.
There may be many capable people out there who are interviewing
for the same position. The reason for hiring often comes down to
attitude and enthusiasm. Interviewers want to know if you have
passion for your work. Will you bring a positive energy to the
team, or will you bring it down?
Don't complain about your interview beforehand. to anyone!
Negative comments have a way of coming back to haunt you. Think of
the re-interview as a chance to prove yourself and talk about all
the great things you've done for the organization.
Prepare for Salary Negotiations
Your "new" position may come with a salary review as well. To get
the most out of this discussion, research what the job is worth.
Use your current earnings as a reference, and try to figure out
average compensation for others in the company with similar
responsibilities. Also, look for external salary data to determine
industry averages for your position.
Remember to include benefits in your salary negotiation. Are you
willing to give up more money for more vacation time? Would you
like a flexible work schedule or some other change to your work
conditions? Issues like these can be used as negotiating points.
Learn more about salary negotiation .
Know Your Rights
Many countries have laws about employee rights during layoff and
restructuring situations. Make sure that you know about these, so
that you know where you stand.

Key Points
The thought of being asked to re-interview for your job can be
shocking. Unfortunately, it can happen more often than you think.
Rather than waste precious time and emotional energy being angry
and insulted, concentrate on preparing for the process. If you
treat this interview with the same importance and significance as
a regular job interview, you'll increase your chances of being
successful. Know what your skills are, know what you've already
contributed to the company, and know how much you're worth. Your
preparation will pay off!