Is it worth applying for a job if you don't meen an 'essential' requirement?

stix62

I've seen a good job advertised with my local council (admin position) but I don't meet one of the essential requirements on the job spec (experience of operating a budget). I've just spent a good hour and more going through the on-line application form and I'd hazard a guess I'm only half way through it. Is it worth continuing or would I just be wasting my time?

Also, in the Employment History section they want...'a complete chronology from the age of 16; please ensure that there are no gaps in the history of your employment and other experience.'
...and in bold further down the page..
There should be no gaps in your employment and education history.

I'm 52, there's no way on earth I could do/remember that!

Any advice? :think:


note: 'meen' in my title should read 'meet'

stix62

PasturesNew wrote: »

You mean meet

lol,,,indeed I do;)

FBaby

I would go for it. Surely you can justify at your age having having experience of managing a personnel budget. As for the work history is it really that difficult to remember what you've done when you were not in employment? If so make something up that is likely to be.

stix62

FBaby wrote: »

I would go for it. Surely you can justify at your age having having experience of managing a personnel budget. As for the work history is it really that difficult to remember what you've done when you were not in employment? If so make something up that is likely to be.

I could go back as far as 1987 with the work history when I was 25 and I do have a prepared document with an explanation of a 9 year unemployment gap (single parent-very young child) but before that things are a little 'fuzzy' to say the least.

TBagpuss

I don't think the lack of a detailed work history would be a deal breaker (even if it has to say things such as 'various admin jobs' if you cannot remember precise details) however, if managing a budget is an essential part of the job and you don't have that experience then that is a much bigger issue.
I think it depends a little on what the job is, and how big a part of the job budgeting is likely to be (and how big the budget is) If it is a fairly small part of the job, then setting out that you have experience managing a personal budget *might* let you scrape through, if there are not a lot of other, more qualified candidates, but to be honest, if they have listed it as essential to the job, that is probably what they mean.

trailingspouse

Unfortunately a lot of employers will chuck out all the CV's that don't meet the essential criteria before they bother to read the rest of the CV - in fact it might all be done on a keyword search without a human being even getting involved.

If you were applying to a small organisation, I would say go for it. With a large organisation like this I would be inclined to say yes, citing personal budgeting experience. It might not get you the job, but it might get you past the computerised gatekeeper.

HappyMJ

Caring for children for several years can easily explain an employment and education history gap.

Not remembering more than 10 years ago is to me also a valid reason. I've taken all that old stuff off my CV and have no idea of the dates I worked for employers before that date now...and I'm 39. Where would I start...hmm went to school that now has been demolished so you can't check my school history. Self employed for many years working for many companies...oh that'll do. It's only for the last 10 years I list my main client (if a contract lasted for more than 6 months) and as I work in IT I tend to only have one client at a time so it's usually fine but it does appear to have some pretty big gaps as small contracts I just don't bother listing and I really wouldn't remember what was on what is now destroyed tax records from more than 6 years ago.

I don't think that's a deal breaker.

phill99

In my previous role, we regularly had 'Essential Requirements' in job specs. If an applicant could not demonstrate this, they were automatically rejected.

Sady for you, there will be other candidates who can demonstrate all essential criteria and will be considered over you.

stix62

Thanks for the replies, I found them quite encouraging.

With regards to CV filtering, I'll continue my application later but I'm not sure at this stage if one will be asked for. I'm expecting it to be more like, say, an HMRC application where you have to provide supporting statements of the criteria.
Although listed as an 'essential' in the person/job spec, in the actual advert it says ...'Ideally they will have experience of operating a budget'... so maybe it's not that essential after all.:think:

There are 9 new posts being created so although I expect there will be candidates who can demonstrate they meet that criteria, I just hope there will be others like myself who may not be able to and maybe I'll still be in with a chance. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say.

lincroft1710

"Ideally" is job advert speak for "we're looking for someone who has this experience and will only consider someone without this experience if (1) they're an extremely exceptional candidate or (2) no candidate had this experience."

As long as you're not overoptimistic there's no real harm in you submitting an application.

tgon

Essential is essential, a primary filter. However I still apply hoping an overwhelming desirable tips the balance. I've employed staff as such.