Underqualified for the Job? Here’s How You Can Still Be A Stellar Candidate
Have you ever wanted to apply for a great job position, but you held back because you don’t think you have enough relevant experience to be qualified?
Think again.
You never know when a recruiter will find you to be the perfect match for the job. It’s okay to apply for jobs when you don’t have relevant experience. It’s better to not let yourself miss an opportunity just because your resume may not be as beefy as others with tons of job experience!
To be honest, not every requirement listed in a job description is actually a requirement. Some are just “nice to have” qualifications. So, are you eyeballing a great job and you are working up the courage to apply? Here are some ideas to get you started on the path to success. Also before you read any further, you should check out this great resouce from Sam Shiah. He helps people get jobs on wall street on their first try. The thinking behind recommending him is that if he can help people get jobs on wall street which is one of the most competitive places on the planet, he can definitely give you some more tips to land you a job anywhere else on the planet. So check him out.
Knowing When to Apply
The first obstacle you need to clear is whether or not you should go for that job you’ve been looking at. Really take a close look at the position and decide how close you can get to being that perfect match the company is looking for.
Take the time to weigh your skills and experience against what the job description is asking for. Do you have zero experience? Some experience? Some relevant skills? You should still apply!
For instance, some jobs ask that the candidate have a Master’s Degree. But you can still apply if you only have a Bachelor’s Degree. They won’t completely rule you out just because you fell a little short of one mark. There are plenty of other parts of the job description that you can use to impress the recruiters with.
Practicing Your Interview Strategy
There’s a lesson we’ve all been learning since a very young age: if you do your homework, you’ll come out on top. This is no less true for the job interviewing world. If you dig deep and do far more research than the other candidates, you will end up looking like the most qualified person for the job.
Here are some ways to start on the right foot:
- Use LinkedIn to find connections and networks of people related to the job you are going for.
- Revamp your resume and cover letter by including things about you that are beyond what the job description is asking for. Look at your transferrable skills and relevant experiences that can land you in good favor with the recruiter.
- Get good recommendations via letters from previous managers or people you’ve worked with in the past. It will be a good testament to your name and the quality of your work ethic.
If you want, you can even practice your interview strategy before actually going to your interview. This will help inspire more confidence in you when you go in person.
Executing Your Interview Strategy
Your hard work in pre-planning will finally pay off when you land that interview. Now that you’ve caught the recruiter’s attention, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. But remember that they do want to see you, so you’ve already done a great job!
Here are some important tips to help keep your chances of scoring the job high:
- Make a personal connection. The hiring manager is a human just like you, and connecting with them can be a very powerful thing. You don’t just need to sit and talk about your qualifications the whole time. Sharing something about yourself that will demonstrate how much of a team player and loyal professional you are can really work well in your favor.
- Be truthful. If you don’t know something, be honest about it. If you are asked a question you don’t understand, say you can’t answer it. You don’t need to meet every single qualification on the job description to be considered for the position.
- Ask questions. Ask professional and sincere questions to come across as highly professional. This will also show the recruiter that you are very interested in the position, making you appear less flaky than the other candidates.
