Applying for promotion - need advice?

Question

My boss is transferring to another department. I'm applying for his job; as his assistant and second-in-command for the past three years, I have every confidence in my ability to be successful.

However, my boss tells me I lack communication and management skills; he has downplayed or not acknowledged my accomplishments for some time. I believe this is because he has been working less and less for the past two years after starting a family. Several people have questioned the hours he puts in and how much he accomplishes, and he has taken that out on me.

Since my boss will still be working here in another department, I don't want to say anything negative about him. BUT - deliberately or not, he underestimages and misjudges my abilities. In all fairness, I don't communicate with HIM well, mostly because he changes the subject or gets mad if I say anything he doesn't want to hear.

How do I handle interview questions such as, "How would you deal with a difficult person," etc.?

Answer 1

Your situation is quite difficult, considering that one of the factors for an employee to be considered for promotion is the immediate supervisor's assessment on a particular employee and his comments with you is somewhat negative plus the fact that the position is supervisory in nature, your boss comments unfortunately has bearings unless otherwise, you can counteract your boss' comments as evidenced by your excellent performance rating (if your office maintains one) or if you are more superior than employees who are also applying for the position.

The best way to test the water is to have a heart to heart tallk to your immediate supervisor and get his comments on your strenght and weaknesses. Once you were able to get his negative comments try to get his opinion on how you can correct his negative comments on you.

With these on hand, you can now negotiate and re-package yourself to suit for the position you intend to apply for.

Answer 2

Don't badmouth the former boss. It makes you look worse than him.

To highlight your experience and skills, try to outline a situation or situations where you have demonstrated excellent communication skills or have helped lead a project team. If you can come up with examples to the contrary of what he believes, then you may be able to win the position.

Answer 3

Just be very creative. "dealing with a difficult person" answer " I would listen to his/her suggestion and then offer my input. I would remind myself that this is a job and both of us are trying to do whats best for the company in the long run. People have different views, being able to communicate and work thru those views keep cool heads is important", good luck, let me how it goes.

Answer 4

Please make sure you don't say anything negative about your current boss-it won't look good. As far as the questions, try to come up w/examples of situations you've actually had in the position you're in. By showing them you have had these experiences and handled them well, they'll see you are qualified.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

He's not the easiest person to communicate, but I give my honest best effort to work with him, keep him on the subject we are talking about, and try to understand where he is coming from.

Answer 6

if you want this position, list the areas in which you have helped this company. be specific. he's the one you haven't been able to communicate with. look back at other people and circumstances where you have dealt with difficult people successfully, and use them (not naming them) as examples. hope this helps you.

Answer 7

And who knows the power of HIS anger