Firms Tend to go Outside to Fill Positions
A recent article (registration required) in the Wall Street Journal indicated that more and more firms are likely to go outside to fill positions rather than fill them with internal candidates. The article quotes Professor John Sullivan at San Francisco State University who notes that "...a growing number of firms now give equal of even superior consideration to an external candidate." The article gives further advice to internal job seekers to brush up on interviewing skills which may be rusty, avoid the tendency to under-dress for interviews and avoid bashing the boss (whom everyone knows). Essentially, the article underscores the issue that internal candidates feel they have an upper hand on positions, while internal hiring managers may feel that they demonstrate a lack of polish in the interview process because they are already inside.
What does this mean for us? If our employees learn that their chances of finding new employment are better by leaving the organization, they may be more inclined to do so. While that's a good thing if it's your poor or average performer, but recognizing the cost of turnover, perhaps some internal folks should be guiding these internal candidates on the expectations for them in the interview process so they do not appear as sloppy, disinterested or arrogant.