This question came from a busy professional.
How Can We Get an Interview When We’re Under-Qualified?
Some people may be interested in a job, but they don’t apply for the job because they don’t meet all the qualifications or have the specified experience. Why should they apply anyway?
If a candidate is under-qualified–as per the job requirements–what are three things he or she can do to still stand out on his or her application and snag an interview
anyway?
Step up to the plate
The mistake that many make is to assume that the employer is looking for that 1 perfect candidate that meets all their wishes.
A company executive speaks with a woman during a business meeting.
The positions advertised are “ultimate goals” or “wish lists”. There are very few candidates that will meet ALL the criteria that employers list in the job description. Employers intend to look for the “best” candidates. They may even hire two or more people to cover all their “MUST HAVES” and do without the rest.
Therefore, if you wait until your 100% qualified, you have already psyched yourself out of a position.
My recommendation is to apply. The worst that can happen is that you don’t get the job. And you don’t have the job today – so you are no worse off.
Make use of the cover letter
The resume and application cannot tell your whole story. Therefore, make use of the cover letter.
1) Do your research on the company and the company’s industry (competition, etc)
2) Include a cover letter to your resume or application
- In the cover letter, you explain that you have done research in this area and know that you can help in <list the areas you can assist>
- In the cover letter, list any successes that you’ve had helping others accomplish the same goals
- In the cover letter and resume, list the classes (and grades) or certifications that you received in that skill area. Even though you may not have job experience, discuss your class projects – that is experience.
- In the cover letter and resume, discuss (if applicable) your leadership skills – i.e. if you lead your class project team on something, or initiated and completed a community service project that shares relevant or transferable skills.
- Include a link to your website, whitepaper, youtube video or presentation on that topic
- Include a link to past project that illustrates those transferable skills
3) In your work experience, include volunteering or other relevant experience even if you were not paid.
- Many people just list their actual “paid positions” in their resume.
- Work Experience means any relevant experience to this particular position. It doesn’t mean you got paid for it. They are looking for – “can you do the work”.
GET THAT EXPERIENCE
In the meantime, don’t sit on your hands. If you feel you are underqualified for the job of your dreams, build that experience.
- Consider volunteering your services to nonprofits in that skill area.
- For example, if you are interested in website development, volunteer to manage a nonprofit’s website. This is a way to get experience in that area in you and in your resume.
- Take a class or get a certification in that skill area.
- Select classes that actually give you hands-on training and class projects that exercise those skills.
- Create a project on your own.
- For example: if you are interested in website development, DEVELOP YOUR OWN WEBSITE.
Just because you don’t have the experience “now” – doesn’t mean you can’t build your experience in that skill area.
I know your situation is different. If you would like additional information on this topic, please contact LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info
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