Would you apply for a job where you don't have all essential skills?

rubyinthesky

So, out of the list of essential and desirable skills, I wondered if I could fit my skills in my current job (I am PA and Complaints Coordinator in the NHS and have also been a medical secretary with the relevant qualifications) to a job which entailed visiting people with disabilities in their own home and assisting them with practical living. I'd love to do something like this, instead of being stuck in an office. I also love researching and finding solutions, and would be happy to do an NVQ 3 in Guidance that they mention, or anything else suggested.

Essential criteria includedat least 2 years experience of assisting people by providing information and guidanceand proven experience of handling a complex caseload, and using assessment processes, which I don't have I do have an AVCE in Health and Social Care, but not sure this would be relevant.

Would you bother filling in an application form or would it immediately get knocked back because I didn't fulfil all of the essential criteria??

rubyinthesky

Sorry for the different fonts!!! Yikes!

dawyldthing

I would and I did. I do similar work (as a support worker). The complex caseload sounds like gobblidgook for can help support many service users over the week tbh. But I've been doing the job for a year now, its had its ups and downs but you do make a difference and if you get a good company they will give you a chance as at the moment many places are crying out for people as were an aging population (there not all aging, some may be) with lack of numbers willing to do the jobs

VfM4meplse

rubyinthesky wrote: »

Would you bother filling in an application form or would it immediately get knocked back because I didn't fulfil all of the essential criteria??

You gotta be in it to win it.

BH, I see what you mean about the fonts :eek: . I guess typing isn't your forte, or perhaps you just don't like being quoted??

rubyinthesky

Ha ha!!! I copied and pasted from the advert and it all went a bit wrong! I'll have you know I type for a living!! How very rude....;-)

Love it!

rubyinthesky

Now, I don't know how I'd complete the application form when I don't meet the essential, as it says that you will not be shortlisted if you do not. I wonder if impressed them in the other areas, they'd overlook a couple of the essential....hmmm

ktuludays

i always apply for jobs if i feel that i match most of the criteria and that i can easily gain the other skills that they are asking for

I_luv_cats

You could apply without getting your hopes up too much. Nothing ventured nothing gained.



I guess the majority of people would bail out if hey didn't meet the essential criteria and try their best to get around any desirable criteria.


You could mention in the notes/additional info. box why you feel you are the right person for the job and how (+ what you would do) you will develop with them! Mention any transferable skills you bring along.

dizzyrascal

The whole point of having essential criteria is that it is pointless to apply if you don't have what they are asking for.
If one of the criteria is that you must have a PhD but you don't have one, would you still be applying?
If you can make what you do fit the criteria, or, if you really think that what they are asking for is as rare as rocking horse poo and they won't have a huge pool of applicants to call on, then go for it.
Otherwise I think you will be wasting your time.

fannyadams

dizzyrascal wrote: »

The whole point of having essential criteria is that it is pointless to apply if you don't have what they are asking for.
If one of the criteria is that you must have a PhD but you don't have one, would you still be applying?.

Yes, because I have spent my life working in the real world and gaining experience and not 'hiding' in academia obtaining a mickey mouse qualification (I have read/ proofed some PhD theses in my time).
From my 'limited' (25+years) experience - I have also worked with 4 different people fresh out of different universities with PhDs and they were rubbish at doing the job (i.e. couldn't do the basics required for the day to day), despite their PhD apparently being in the field that I work in!

anamenottaken

rubyinthesky wrote: »

Essential criteria includedat least 2 years experience of assisting people by providing information and guidance and proven experience of handling a complex caseload, and using assessment processes, which I don't have I do have an AVCE in Health and Social Care, but not sure this would be relevant.

Those three items are to an extent matters of opinion.

In your work related to Complaints, do you not provide information and guidance to those making complaints or those who need to respond?

Does that not also provide you with a complex caseload - that is not just one complaint to deal with and nothing else to do in the day? Does not your PA work provide evidence for this element?

Assessment processes - do you assess/follow guidance on how to deal with the complaints and other actions you take?