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Internal Mobility + Skills Matching

Your next great hire might already work for you. This playbook helps you identify underutilized talent, match internal candidates to open roles, and create meaningful growth paths—using AI-assisted skill matching, internal data, and human conversations.

Overview​

info

Goal: Retain top talent and reduce external hiring costs through smarter internal mobility.

  • 💡 Key Insight: Employees are 2x more likely to stay at companies with strong internal mobility programs.
  • 📊 Metric to Watch: Internal transfer rate and % of roles filled internally.
📊 Step 1: Inventory Employee Skills

  • Collect skills via:

    • Employee self-assessments
    • Manager-submitted strengths
    • Project history or past job descriptions

  • Use AI to cluster similar skillsets and generate a visual map.

  • Tools: Notion, Google Sheets + OpenAI, or HR platforms like Degreed or Gloat.

🤖 Step 2: Match to Current Opportunities
  • Use this prompt to generate matches:
You're an internal talent advisor matching employees to open roles.

Inputs:
- Employee Skills: [Insert list]
- Open Role Description: [Insert role text]

Write:
- A short rationale for why this person may be a great internal candidate
- 2–3 questions to ask in a discovery conversation
  • Add job alerts for internal openings tied to their skillset or team.
📬 Step 3: Notify and Invite
  • Use friendly, non-pushy internal outreach:
Hi [Name], we noticed you have experience in [Skill] and thought you might be a great fit for an opening on [Team].

Would you be open to a quick chat about it? No pressure—just exploring fit and interest.
  • Automate alerts with tools like Slack integrations, email workflows, or HRIS announcements.
🧭 Step 4: Build Development Pathways

  • Even if not a perfect match, identify stretch roles or lateral projects:

    • AI can recommend projects or mentors based on growth goals
    • Use prompts to design 3-month learning plans

  • Encourage managers to bring forward growth project ideas quarterly.

📈 Step 5: Track + Celebrate Growth

  • Track metrics:

    • of internal applications

    • Skills learned or certifications completed
    • Manager nominations for future roles

  • Celebrate public wins:
    “Big congrats to Jordan on their new role in Product!”
    “Shoutout to Alicia for completing her cross-functional training!”

AI Prompt Library​

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Use this prompt to find project or stretch role fits:

You're a career development coach at a mid-sized tech company.

Inputs:
- Employee Name: [Jordan Smith]
- Current Role: [Customer Support Specialist]
- Strengths: [problem solving, customer empathy, HubSpot experience]
- Interests: [product development, team leadership]

Output:
- 2 internal projects or departments they could explore for growth
- 1 learning opportunity or course recommendation

Fill-in-the-Blank Tracker​

Employee: [Name]  
Current Role: [Title]  
Target Skills or Interests: [List]  
Internal Role Fit: [Suggested role/project]  
Next Steps:
- [ ] Manager conversation
- [ ] Skill-building plan
- [ ] Role shadowing or mentoring

Wrap-Up​

Internal mobility doesn’t just retain people—it builds a resilient, motivated workforce ready to grow with your organization. With the right mix of AI and human support, you can create a talent engine from within.

Pro Tip: Review internal openings with each team quarterly and make skill-spotting part of manager 1:1s.