Preparing for an Internal Interview

Published by admruhland on February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

By Louise Bijesse, UpTalent Consulting & Search

Career growth can take many forms. You may be exploring a new role, preparing for a promotion, or considering a different path altogether. Along the way, you might find yourself interviewing internally for your next opportunity, and preparation becomes key.

At UpTalent, we see every interview as a chance to tell your story with clarity and confidence. These tips, adapted from a more comprehensive workshop led by Louise Bijesse, are designed to help you show up ready, stand out, and compete effectively with external candidates.

RESEARCH

Learn whatever you can about the position you’re interested in by speaking with others and conducting research to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities of the job. Without this information, you cannot accurately assess if the role is a good fit.

PERSONAL BRAND

Know what others think about you. Work on building your personal brand and changing any misconceptions people may have of you. Learn more about building your personal brand.

BE PROFESSIONAL

Remember that this is an interview; so even if you know the Hiring Manager well, don’t get too friendly. Bring the same level of professionalism that you would with an outside company.

DON’T ASSUME

Hiring Managers will want to fill their position with the most qualified applicant. Internal candidates don’t always have an edge so you will want to differentiate yourself from the competition.

BE PREPARED

Be ready for tough interview questions and nail down your talking points and examples of past experiences. Practicing with a friend or family member will help your ability to remain positive and confident in the actual interview. Short and concise answers are more impactful. You can take a moment to think about your response before answering, and if you don’t understand the question, it is acceptable to ask the Hiring Manager to repeat the question.

ASK QUESTIONS

At the end of the interview, the Hiring Manager usually will ask if you have any questions. You should have a few pre-selected questions to ask, including a question about the next steps.

THANK YOU

Always send a thank-you note within 24 hours after the interview. It is a great opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and thank your interviewers for their time.