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

SueC_2

Apply, but tackle the 'missing' criteria head on...

"I appreciate that I don't have experience of assisting people ... blah blah... blah, however, I do have [enter a load of positive stuff that counteracts the shortfall in experience] which I hope, coupled with my enthusiasm, is sufficient for you to consider progressing my application".

[Deleted User]

Apparently, a big difference between men and women, when applying for jobs is that men will say "I have 4 of the 5 key requirements" and women will say "I don't have 1 of the 5 requirements"

SueC_2

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Apparently, a big difference between men and women, when applying for jobs is that men will say "I have 4 of the 5 key requirements" and women will say "I don't have 1 of the 5 requirements"

I read something very similar recently. Sad isn't it... all the progress that has been made in our quest for equality, and it's actually us who are selling ourselves short!

pebble17

The key is to make the most of the skills you DO have rather than the negatives 'I don't have' etc.

I work in the NHS so I know how shortlisting criteria works. I recently started a new job where I hadn't met all of the essential criteria on the job advert. It said that the applicant must have evidence of further degree level study in an elderly care related topic.
I've done bod all since i qualified lol, but I talked about my skills and that I keep myself updated by reading journals etc. That was enough to get my shortlisted, and as you know NHS interviews is just all about saying the right 'buzz words' to score points.

I would also say that you could use your AVCE to back up your experiences. Isn't that equivalant of NVQ3? I did the Advanced GNVQ many moons ago and I'm sure the AVCE replaced it.

good luck!

rubyinthesky

Wow, some brilliant advice...I might just apply!!!! Thanks all for your input!

eamon

You've got to think of the recruitment process and the maths for example an advertised public sector job.
2000 people request the application pack
1500 people can be bothered to open the pack, of those 200 put it down and forget about it. Of the remaining 1300, 200 imediately realise that they applied for the wrong pack, 200 can't meet the UK/EU eligibility criteria, 200 are away on holiday, 200 don't understand how to fill in the form, 200 read the job spec and run away to hide, 200 complete the form in the wrong ink colour and unintentionally exclude themselves.
Without you even lifting a finger (apart from requesting the application pack) your odds of getting an interview have increased from (only 10 people are interviewed) 200/1 to 10/1
Those are good odds (assuming that my maths is correct) therefore you must apply.
Best of luck

rubyinthesky

Love that way of looking at it!!

dizzyrascal

I hate to burst your bubble and I would never discourage anyone from applying from a job they wanted if they really did have the required essential criteria but be aware.
Of the last few jobs that we have advertised, some of them were just clerical grades but others were more technical and required quite specific criteria, but all of them attracted between 100 - 200 applicants.
That makes a lot of work for the department and although there is some rubbish, the vast majority have put in good to excellent applications.
If anyone puts in an application that does not meet all the essential criteria then you won't even make the shortlist.
Also, you need to consider who will be reading your application. Is it likely to be someone who you might apply to again? You might come to their attention for all the wrong reasons.
To create a well written and inviting application form takes a great deal of time and effort when done properly.
If you do put in an application, please don't get your hopes up

SueC_2

dizzyrascal wrote: »

I hate to burst your bubble and I would never discourage anyone from applying from a job they wanted if they really did have the required essential criteria but be aware.
Of the last few jobs that we have advertised, some of them were just clerical grades but others were more technical and required quite specific criteria, but all of them attracted between 100 - 200 applicants.
That makes a lot of work for the department and although there is some rubbish, the vast majority have put in good to excellent applications.
If anyone puts in an application that does not meet all the essential criteria then you won't even make the shortlist.
Also, you need to consider who will be reading your application. Is it likely to be someone who you might apply to again? You might come to their attention for all the wrong reasons.
To create a well written and inviting application form takes a great deal of time and effort when done properly.
If you do put in an application, please don't get your hopes up

I agree with you to a certain degree.

I also recruit, and on numerous occasions the applicant has been so far removed from the essential criteria that I've wondered if they've even read the advert.

On the other hand, despite not having the degree that was stipulated as essential criteria, I was recently offered a position as the experience I was able to demonstrate instead was seen as equally/more valuable than a formal qualification.

So to say that categorically "If anyone puts in an application that does not meet all the essential criteria then you won't even make the shortlist" is incorrect. In some cases, yes, that may be the case. But not in all cases.

I think as long as you are able to demonstrate that you are able to do the job, then there is sometimes flexibility on behalf of the employer.

dizzyrascal

SueC wrote: »

I agree with you to a certain degree.

I also recruit, and on numerous occasions the applicant has been so far removed from the essential criteria that I've wondered if they've even read the advert.

On the other hand, despite not having the degree that was stipulated as essential criteria, I was recently offered a position as the experience I was able to demonstrate instead was seen as equally/more valuable than a formal qualification.

So to say that categorically "If anyone puts in an application that does not meet all the essential criteria then you won't even make the shortlist" is incorrect. In some cases, yes, that may be the case. But not in all cases.

I think as long as you are able to demonstrate that you are able to do the job, then there is sometimes flexibility on behalf of the employer.

I would agree where the type of job on offer does not attract many applicants.
I was referring to our own procedure and where there are a lot of applicants it is unfair to those who do demonstrate all the essential criteria.
If we only had one applicant for the job and they couldn't demonstrate all the essential criteria then that would be different.
We get high volume replies to all our job adverts, even those that require a high level of qualification and experience.
Therefore we have to begin the selection process by omitting the ones who do not fit the criteria