We’ve all been there – you see the perfect job in the perfect location for the perfect salary. Then you read further down the page and see that they need 3-5 years of experience when you only have 2. Your first reaction might be to just not apply, but don’t count yourself out yet. Sometimes experience is negotiable if you can prove that you will still be able to do the job. When deciding whether to apply or not, here are 3 things to ask yourself:
1. Can I actually do this job?
If you’re being completely honest with yourself, is the job you’re applying for something you can do? It doesn’t help applying for something you know is out of your depth. You’ll just be wasting your time, the recruiter’s time, and the company’s time. Read through every duty, responsibility, and requirement listed. If a company is looking for someone experienced, it means they don’t want to spend a lot of time on training. If you are certain that with your skills, knowledge, and ability to learn you can hit the ground running, you can consider sending in your application.
2. What are my transferrable skills?
If you’re applying for a role that you don’t have quite enough experience for, you might not meet all the skill requirements. This can make you reluctant to try, but you shouldn’t knock the importance of transferrable skills. There are skills that you are utilising in your current role that could prove useful in the role that you are applying for. Additionally, showing the hiring manager, recruiter, or interviewer that you know how your current skills can connect to the skills they are looking for shows that you are serious about the role and understand what would be required of you. Transferable skills that are always useful include:
- Management
- Communication
- Writing
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Innovation
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
3. Do my CV and interview answers market my strengths?
Once you know that you can do the job and how you can apply what you already do and know to the new role, you need to focus on your application. Make sure that the skills the company is looking for are clear and easy to find on your CV. Make sure that when preparing for your interview, you make a list of your marketable skills. You’re going to have to work twice as hard to prove that you are a good fit for the role, and that requires a lot of homework and preparation.
Don’t forget:
One of the most important things a company is looking for is someone who will be a good fit for their team. The most experienced worker could take the role and not mesh well with the rest of the people in the office. If you are passionate about the role you are applying for and excited about the company, that already puts you at a huge advantage. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. If you truly believe that it’s something you could do, the worst thing that could happen is a simple no.
