Internal interviews can feel super weird, especially when your panel includes people you already work with. Maybe it's your current manager, someone you had a tricky project with, or just colleagues you usually chat to in the kitchen. So how do you pitch yourself without feeling awkward, fake, or like you're stating the obvious?

In Part 2 of our deep dive on Internal Interviews, Sarah and Emma share the practical strategies you need to prepare with confidence.

HINT: It's exactly the same as preparing for an external interview, just with more nuance!

We discuss the importance of explaining WHY you're applying for the new role, how much context to give when the panel should technically already know what you do and how to shape your career story.

We also tackle office politics, like whether to tell your team you've applied, how to handle potentially managing your friends and how to ask for feedback once it's all over.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Lauren who bought us 3 coffees!

"Sarah and Emma! I have been job searching since October 2024. I went for a big promotion at work and didn't even make it to the second round, despite doing the job in the interim capacity for six months. I was so bummed, but I knew I had to start looking for my next step. I have always interviewed well and thought that I had my preparation down pat. I discovered your podcast after getting a few second-round interviews and being the runner-up in those searches. I also became determined to be more selective in both my applications and interviews and truly interview my prospective employers as much as they were interviewing me. This summer I found a position that matches all of my talents and interests working as a public servant in local government, and I went for it. I had my Best Bits nailed! I landed the job after two interviews, one job assessment exercise, and three reference calls later. I am very grateful for your advice, your humor, and in particular, the psych-up and cool-down episode for pre-and post-interview. After each interview, I was only allowed to call two besties to vent and then put it aside, per your advice! Thank you again for spreading these best practices in interviews. I recommend you podcast often to the young people in my life who are just starting out this process! PS: I need to set the record straight on American coffee. I'm a Californian and want to say we have some of the best coffee beans (and wine). And some of us enjoy a straight cappuccino and espresso, and even a flat white now and then as our drinks of choice, okay?!! Enjoy your coffees! Much gratitude from California."

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching

❤️ Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Internal interviews can feel so much harder than regular ones. You're walking into a room full of people who already know you, so how are you meant to do yourself justice without feeling awkward, cringey, or fake?

In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down the mindset blocks that come up when you're interviewing for a job in your current workplace. Whether you’re going for a supervisor role, a promotion, or just a new challenge, internal interviews come with their own set of mental hurdles.

We’ll unpack the fear of reintroducing yourself to people you already work with, taking too much credit for shared wins, the colleague comparison trap, and how to handle the awkwardness, whether you do or don’t get the job.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Davis who bought us a coffee!

“Hello or as my Aussie coworkers say, G’day! I am in California and have been listening to your podcast in prep to apply to an internal role. Every episode was so helpful and the resources you two provide are invaluable! I don’t think I’ve ever been more prepared for an interview and it’s all because of the insight you two provided! I was even ready to negotiate my salary offer but they ended up offering exactly what I wanted, funny how that worked out! Thank you so much!”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching

❤️ Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

POV: You’ve just stumbled across an AMAZING job ad on LinkedIn, but you immediately notice that dreaded “100+ applicants” warning, and suddenly, imposter syndrome kicks in.

In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down the truth behind LinkedIn’s job stats and why that scary number might not be as intimidating as it seems. We unpack the four different “buckets” of applicants, explain how many people actually meet the full criteria (hint: it’s less than you think), and why being a good match still gives you a solid shot, even in a tough market.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged seeing high applicant numbers, this episode will change how you think about competition and help you refocus your energy where it counts.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Celia who bought us 6 coffees!

"Hi Emma and Sarah, I just wanted to say how incredibly grateful I am for your podcast. Earlier this year, I was laid off and the job market in my city has been brutal. I felt defeated and had to deal with all the lows of job hunting, including being ghosted by recruiters after investing so much time in interviews. I actually found your podcast while I was feeling especially frustrated after completing all the interview rounds with a company, only to think the HR contact was ghosting me. That’s when I came across one of your episodes where you talked about how being the backup candidate isn’t always bad. Fast forward a month, I realised I needed to shift my approach and the way you emphasized storytelling in interviews really clicked. I went to an in-person panel interview with six people and left them so impressed that I received a life changing offer. But here’s the twist. I ended up turning it down because I got an even better offer from the original company I thought had ghosted me. It turns out they hired internally for that first role, but a similar position opened up and they wanted me for it. I’m now a month in and I’m genuinely happy and confident, thanks in no small part to the skills, mindset, and advice I learned from you both. For all my fellow job seekers out there, don’t lose hope and focus on storytelling or your 'best bits,' as Emma and Sarah would say. Thank you both so much. Your work truly makes a difference."

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching

❤️ Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au