MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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So I work as a civil engineer, currently 3 years out of university working as a site engineer.
I have a job interview in which I will effectively be trying to gain a promotion up to section engineer.
I know I'm a good site engineer and I have been doing parts of a section engineers job, however how do I big myself up without sounding like a tool.
Also whilst I think I can perform the role is it ok to express my concerns that I have never done it before and therefore might be a bit rusty, or is it bad to seem a but cautious in the interview
...table and THUD!
You don't necessarily have to express concern. You can ask them where they think there might be gaps in your skill set, and how important that may be, and then you can tell them how you propose to plug those gaps.
That shows that you are not somebody who dives into something out of his depth, but are not put off either.
Tell them you expect them to support you in your new role.
Say you learn fast and like new challenges but you don't expect to be dropped into a position where you have no support or mentoring available to you. You are willing to display your capability for this role as long as they will back you.
(Assuming all that is true on your side)
what samurai says never say you cannot do the job explain how thrilled you are for the promotion/opportunity challenge what aspects of the job you can do , where you think you may need support and training etc
They can read your CV so dont claim to to be able to do what you cannot do - they should realise you have never done the job before and will require mentoring/training /support
if they have not realised that the job wil likely be a nightmare anyway
Rather than bigging up yourself, can you big up achievements? Detail some successful projects you've been involved in, perhaps?
As for feeling a bit unsure, they'll presumably know you're looking at a step up from your history so I don't see as you need to draw attention to it. If pressed, I'd perhaps want to say "I know it's a step up and there will be a learning curve, but I believe I'm ready to make the move and I'm confident that I'll be up to speed quickly" or some such.
If they ask you if you can do the job and you go "well, I'm not sure, I think so", you won't get the job. Not because you can't do it, but because if you don't believe you can then nor will anyone else.
Do you know the people interviewing you? I found it hard to 'sell myself' in an internal interview I did just felt odd as I knew the guy interviewing me (wasn't worried he'd call me on any BS just seemed weird). If you don't know the person just treat it like any job interview and focus on your strengths/achievements.