Ask the Expert: How do you overcome the challenge of competing against an internal or interim candidate?

Matt Trainum answers a question from a listener, 'How do you overcome the challenge of competing against an internal or interim candidate?' 

Matt advises, don't get in your head about internal candidates, just because there is an internal candidate does not mean that they are what the position needs. He also advises to 'read the tea leaves' and then decide if applying for the position is worth your time and energy. 

Is the job posted in a variety of places and for a substantial amount of time to show they are seeking outside hires? Or is the job only posted on the institution's website for 10-14 days? These are some ways to tell if the position has been created for an internal candidate or whether the search committee is looking for outside hires. 

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