Promotions are competitive.

When applying for a promotion, there are three major categories you must meet to be successful.

First, you must meet the basic criteria, such as required credentials and years of experience. These are typically non-negotiable.

Second, you need to stand out as the top candidate. This may include additional education, relevant experience, or significant projects you have completed.

Third, you must communicate your experience effectively so the hiring team can clearly understand what sets you apart. I recommend the following:

• Gather examples of your experience.
• Search the web for 10–20 interview questions; LLMs are great for this.
• Practice answering those questions using your examples. Use the STAR method, and be sure to answer with real experiences rather than hypothetical “what you would do” responses. Practice with someone asking you the questions.

Fourth, consider the interviewing team—your audience. Hiring is difficult. They are filling a role because something in their department is not being accomplished today or will not be accomplished in the future. This creates pressure on the manager and the team. On top of their busy schedules, they must run the hiring process, screen résumés, conduct interviews, interpret what candidates are trying to communicate, and finally weigh the pros and cons of each person. Do everything you can to make it easy for the hiring manager to understand that you are the top candidate.