Should I Apply for a Position If I"m Underqualified?
Applying for job after job, week after week, month after month can be quite discouraging if the immediate end result of an interview or job offer is not in sight.
What is a candidate to do when you see a position posted that you can see yourself doing but may be under qualified for? Of course, you're going to have the best chances applying for jobs that you're qualified for; you don't have to be a perfect match, but you should be fairly close.
There are degrees of qualified.
If an employer is looking for 20 years of experience and you only have 2 years, you're not qualified.
Now if the position is seeking 5 years of experience and you have 3-4 years, that is a different scenario.
You may have a better chance of being considered.
So do you apply for the position anyway? Especially if you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are well capable (not necessarily fully experienced) to perform the job essentials of that position with just a little additional coaching and training.
Many years ago when I transitioned into the staffing agency world I had no "agency recruiting experience" but I did work in Human Resources in prior years, had a very stable work history and knowledge of recruiting (although I did not have hands on recruiting experience).
I also strongly believed I had transferable skills and had the passion and drive to succeed as a Recruiter.
My resume indicated these transferable skills, and my display of excitement, passion and confidence (in my skills and abilities) during my interview, opened the door of opportunity for me.
I was truly passionate and excited about the possibility of working as a Recruiter and it showed during my interview.
So if you see a position that you may be under qualified for, have the transferable skills and can prove it on your resume, apply for the position.
Create a resume that focuses on your transferable skills as it relates to the job in which you're applying.
I strongly recommend hiring a professional resume writer.
Why? Because you're investing in your future and you have one shot at making the right first impression.
The time and money invested in seeking out a professional to help create/revise or assess your resume is well worth it! Trust me.
And always remember honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.
Let me know what you think about this topic in your comments below.
What is a candidate to do when you see a position posted that you can see yourself doing but may be under qualified for? Of course, you're going to have the best chances applying for jobs that you're qualified for; you don't have to be a perfect match, but you should be fairly close.
There are degrees of qualified.
If an employer is looking for 20 years of experience and you only have 2 years, you're not qualified.
Now if the position is seeking 5 years of experience and you have 3-4 years, that is a different scenario.
You may have a better chance of being considered.
So do you apply for the position anyway? Especially if you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are well capable (not necessarily fully experienced) to perform the job essentials of that position with just a little additional coaching and training.
Many years ago when I transitioned into the staffing agency world I had no "agency recruiting experience" but I did work in Human Resources in prior years, had a very stable work history and knowledge of recruiting (although I did not have hands on recruiting experience).
I also strongly believed I had transferable skills and had the passion and drive to succeed as a Recruiter.
My resume indicated these transferable skills, and my display of excitement, passion and confidence (in my skills and abilities) during my interview, opened the door of opportunity for me.
I was truly passionate and excited about the possibility of working as a Recruiter and it showed during my interview.
So if you see a position that you may be under qualified for, have the transferable skills and can prove it on your resume, apply for the position.
Create a resume that focuses on your transferable skills as it relates to the job in which you're applying.
I strongly recommend hiring a professional resume writer.
Why? Because you're investing in your future and you have one shot at making the right first impression.
The time and money invested in seeking out a professional to help create/revise or assess your resume is well worth it! Trust me.
And always remember honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.
Let me know what you think about this topic in your comments below.
