Apply for Job you feel you are under-qualfied for??

[svndezafrohman]

Hi All,

Do you think its ok to apply for a job that you think you are not qualified for?

Currently, I am a senior accoutant and I would like to apply for a Accounts payables Supervisor position with about a 30% pay upgrade. I feel like I am not qualified for this position, since it says you need a supervisory role for at least 2-3 years. Fyi, I have no supervisory experience.

My line of thought is that, if I can get the position and I fail, then at least I tried and would have no regrets later on.

Anybody have any similar situation where they felt they were not qualfied for their postion but just grew into it?

Or anybody apply for a position that they felt they were under-qualified for, but still got the job? What was that like?

[trailrated]

Absolutely go for it. I applied for a management position right out of college. I went through 4 rounds of interviews and lost out to someone with 3 years experience on me. I kept in contact with the recruiter and the head person I interviewed with. I got a call 6 months later saying that the same position had opened up one town over and they wanted me for it.

Worst case scenario you get some more experience at job interviews. You are never going to move up if you only play it safe and look for lateral positions. DO IT!!

[AccidentalMiser]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  If you feel you have the skill set to be an effective supervisor, make your case.  What do supervisors do that you don't feel you can do?  Every supervisor in the world was a new supervisor once. 

Are you willing to prepare yourself for the role?  How is your work history?  Do you accept responsibility for things which might not be in exact alignment with your job description?  Do you volunteer for projects and take the lead?  Can you demonstrate to the hiring manager and to yourself that you are cut out for the life of a supervisor or is it just about the 30% pay raise?

If you want it, go get it.  If you don't get it this time, start preparing for next time.  If they interview you and you don't get hired, ask them why and what they think you could do to be a viable candidate in the future.

Best of luck to you, tiger!

[JPinDC]

Do you think its ok to apply for a job that you think you are not qualified for?

Absolutely, when we're talking about a position where you are somewhat or mostly qualified for it (like this one). I don't know your gender, but I do know that this confidence gap affects women more than men. Women are more likely to not apply to a job unless they meet 100% of the qualifications, but men will apply when they meet only 60%. I encourage all the ladies of MMM to get out there and apply for something that's a stretch! source http://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2014/04/28/act-now-to-shrink-the-confidence-gap/

Anybody have any similar situation where they felt they were not qualfied for their postion but just grew into it?

Or anybody apply for a position that they felt they were under-qualified for, but still got the job? What was that like?

I switched jobs this summer. I went from a non-technical administrative role in a school to a technical role in a field related to education, but not in a school. The job description was looking for someone with more technical skills and experience than I had, but they valued my potential more highly than my current skills. My new role is a customer-facing technical one, and technical skills are much easier to teach than people skills. I talked to everyone about my job search and someone I happened to talk to knew someone at my current company and helped my resume get a second look. My background was not what they were looking for, but that connection helped me get a meeting with the hiring manager, and the position has been going really well so far. Work your connections and check out your LinkedIn circle to help find a way in. Good luck!

[WGH]

Abso-friggin-lutely you should apply!

Faking it till you make it is as American as apple pie! :)

All joking aside and in my humble opinion when you're job hunting you should always aim for a higher position and more money. It has been my experience that that new title and responsibilities seems a little scary at first but once people get to know you and trust you a bit the situation seems to relax and you get used to it.

I once took a teaching job at a vocational college teaching a subject that I knew nothing about. To get the job I had to teach a lesson to my supervisor, fellow instructors, campus director etc. I spent two days learning all I could and planning my presentation. It went over well and I got the job and I have since become certified in the field of study and have taught off and on for about about 8 years.

What I have learned most about being in business and as a CFO I understand the accounting profession you are working in a bit, is that your technical skills are not nearly as important as your communication skills and just being a responsible, patient, honest human being who shows up willing to learn and work hard. If you are lacking the skills or experience you can get them as you go. In accounting you can always look to see how it was done before or just google it if you are unsure. I also highly recommend learning as much as you can about the overall business you are in not just the specific aspects of your day to day job.

It never ceases to amaze me how some intelligent people who have plenty of technical skills are generally disliked and then negatively branded because quite honestly they are jerks with poor communication skills and no patience.

Best advice I can give you? Never put a title on a pedestal. Once you achieve it you realize it's not that awe inspiring. So don't stress the technical skills as long as you are not a jerk and are willing to learn you can handle it.

As Nicholas Cage said the "The Family Man"

"Business is business. Wall Street, Main Street; It’s all a bunch of people getting up in the morning, trying to figure out how they’re going to send their kids to college. It’s just people, and I know people.”

Good luck.

[redcedar]

Manager for 2-3 years means it's an entry level manager position. HR will never say 0 years management experience so consider 2-3 years as the same thing. Highlight where you have been a team leader, a subject matter expert who involves others in solving a problem, etc.

Your ability to be engaging, think on your feet, and provide solutions will be how you get your first management position. If you believe in yourself and prepare for the interview, you will be pleased with how it goes.

[svndezafrohman]

This has been very informative and is giving me the courage to apply.

I will apply and see how it goes!

At least if it doesn't work out, I will have no regrets later on.

Since this is a government position, it should take several months for the application process to complete.

Will post my update once I hear back for an interview.

[Conjou]

Good, I am glad you are encouraged, because too many people disqualify themselves for things instead of going for it and letting the process decide.