Acting up and stepping up interview questions and answers

Short answer

If you are already acting up, the panel has seen you in the role, so speak about real results and real difficulties from that time. Be honest about what was hard, what you learned and what you would do differently with the permanent post.

What a panel may look for at this level

When you have acted up, a panel may compare your answers with what they saw. A likely concern is an answer that sounds better than the reality, so honest detail usually helps more than a perfect story.

They may also check how you would react if you were not appointed. A calm, professional answer suggests you would support the team either way.

How to prepare

Write down what you did: List the decisions you made while acting up, the problems you solved and any feedback you received.
Choose one difficulty: Pick a real moment that was hard and say what you learned from it.
Separate temporary and permanent: Think about what you would do differently if the role were permanent, such as longer-term plans you could not start.
Prepare the hand-back answer: Decide calmly what you would say if you were not appointed.

Questions and model answers

These are invented answers that show the shape: what you did, in order, and what changed. Keep the shape and replace every detail with something true from your own work.

"What have you learned while acting up in this role?" (housing officer acting up as team manager)

The biggest thing I learned is that my time is no longer mine. In my old role I could plan my week; as acting manager, half my day was other people's questions. In the first month I tried to answer everything immediately and fell behind. Then I started a short daily meeting at nine, where the team brought their questions together. That gave me back most of the afternoon. If I am appointed, I would keep the meeting and add regular one-to-ones.

"What was the hardest part of acting up?" (teaching assistant acting up as cover supervisor)

The hardest part was giving instructions to colleagues who had more experience than me. At first I asked instead of telling, and some tasks were not done. I talked to my line manager, and she suggested I explain the reason with each instruction. I started saying, for example, "Can you take the group to the hall at two, because the classroom is needed for exams?" It made a real difference, and colleagues told me it was clearer.

"What would you do differently if the post were permanent?" (facilities coordinator acting up as facilities manager)

While acting up I kept things running, but I did not start longer projects, because I did not know how long I would be in the role. If the post were permanent, I would start a maintenance plan for the whole year, instead of only reacting to problems. I would also meet our main contractors to agree how we report faults. These are things I noticed during the acting period but could not change in a few months.

"How would you feel if you were not appointed?" (accounts assistant acting up as accounts supervisor)

I would be disappointed, and I think it is honest to say that. But I would ask for feedback, so I know what to work on, and I would support the new supervisor with everything I learned during the acting period. The team needs stability more than anything. I have enjoyed this time and learned a lot from it, and I would still want to use those skills in my current role.

What non-native speakers often get wrong

Not knowing the phrase "acting up". In some English-speaking workplaces it means temporarily doing a more senior job. Outside work it can also mean behaving badly, so in an interview say "acting up as team manager" or "covering the role".
Saying "I was the manager" when you were acting. Say "I was acting manager" or "I covered the manager role", which is accurate.
Using the present tense for a role that has ended: say "while I was acting up, I made…", not "I make".
Sounding angry or hurt in the "not appointed" answer. A short, calm answer usually works better than a long one.

Phrases to use

Finish each one with your own details.

While I was acting up, I …
The hardest part was …, and I learned …
If the post were permanent, I would …
I would ask for feedback so that …
I would support whoever is appointed by …

Common mistakes

Assuming the panel already knows everything you did, so you give short answers.
Claiming the acting period had no problems.
Talking about the role as yours before the decision is made.
Criticising the person who held the role before you.

Questions people ask

Does acting up mean I will be appointed?

No. It gives you experience and evidence, but the panel still compares candidates. Use the period as evidence, not as a reason by itself.

What does "stepping up" mean?

It usually means taking on more senior work, either temporarily or as a new role. In an interview you can say "I stepped up to cover the supervisor role for four months".

Should I mention mistakes I made while acting up?

One honest mistake, with what you learned and changed, can help. It shows you reflect on your work.

Related promotion interview pages

Practise for your acting up interview

Answer promotion interview questions out loud or in writing, and see what a panel may notice and what to fix first. Free to start, no card needed.

Open promotion interview practice