Should You Apply Even If You’re Not Qualified?

Posted by: Tailynn

Very true! Makes a change to see someone spell it out like that.

Posted by: Cathleen

Wow! Great thinking!

Posted by: Jack H.

It would appear that employers seem to be writing very narrow job descriptions for the perfect candidate.  For whatever reason, they need to advertise the position but they don't really intend to fill it.  Anyone who falls outside of the extremely narrow descriptions is either under or Over qualified and hence not on the shortlist.  This allows employers to truthfully state "We're looking, but just can't find qualified people".  It's well known that employers often include job description elements that they're flexible on and may be willing to negotiate.  If mind reading isn't in your skill set, and you're confident that you can fill the major responsibilities, then Go For It and let their HR sort it out.

Posted by: job seeker number 9

As I read your article it jumps out to me that you're in the position of the "employer" seeking to fill a position. Maybe you should try to look at it from the job seeker's perspective, which I might add is whom this article is being sent.  Any chance that I have in getting a job is better than a big fat chance of ZERO by not sending in my resume. Obviously, you don't apply for a CEO position with only 2 years work experience and no history in managing others. I have 10 years administrative experience, am seeking a Law Degree, and am the head of my department, but can't even get an interview for an entry level position in the legal field. I apply for any and every job that gives me a remote chance. I apply for nearly 30 jobs a week. If I only applied for the ones that were spot on, I'd be lucky to even see an opening available from week to week. Employers don't post a job thinking only qualified applicants will apply... they're going to have to sift. AND when they do, it's better to be in the pile than not. As slim a chance it may be, your resume might impress them (if they even take notice) and you'll get a call. ---> Next time you decide to give advice, know who your audience is and don't assume that an applicant is inept just because they're not exactly what you want. The person with the right credentials may be a complete putz.

Posted by: Linda

Living in SE FL I am finding it difficult to meet the requirements for most jobs in my field. The healthcare industry including insurance companies, office positions, hospitals, etc. require bilingual/Spanish speaking workers. Sadly, time to move.

Posted by: garry g.

To my friend, Mr. Michael R.:I couldn't have said this better myself.  There are too many variables to consider when hunting for work in the current job market.  Qualifications are ACHIEVED, not given on a piece of paper.  I just glad someone else recognizes this, especially someone that has ACHIEVED the education and work level status of my man "Mike".  I just wish more Hiring Managers would realize this.  Thank you.Garry   

Posted by: Kevin W.

In all likelihood, no candidate who applies for a position is going to meet every single qualification of the posting.  therefore, I agree with Ram above; apply if you meet a majority of the qualifications.  I would say 75% of them.  If you meet 3 out of 4, chances are you are going to be more qualified than most candidates and get an interview.

Posted by: EJ Frazier

I somewhat agree and disagree. I believe it depends upon the position you are applying for whether all the qualifications should be met. For instance, you would not want to apply for a medical position (nurse/doctor) without experience in the medical field. On the flip side of that, I am in a position now for which I did not qualify. The job description required a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four year institution with a concentration in mathematics, statistics, computer science or related technology. I do not have a degree of any type except a high school diploma, but I have taken courses at a community college and the interviewer, who is now my supervisor, had the desire and patience to train me to accommodate her needs for an assistant. She felt the need to hire someone with a diverse background. I think the biggest problem in our workforce is that we (they) tend to overlook the potential of good people and their willingness to learn. No one wants to invest in the training of good employees for fear of the expense and the person leaving the position after the investment has been made in them.

Posted by: Isha

This is good info!

Posted by: Michael R.

I only somewhat agree with this idea, because in this jobless depression we are in now, you are going to see a lot of this anyway, it's not going to go away, and people are just going to continue the odds game.  I have read an awful lot of job ads in my 42 years in the occupational world.  I have applied to a great deal of jobs, to which, I was not sure of my own qualifications, per what was listed as the required, skills and disciplines requested to fill the vacancy.  However, during the interview, we both found that a lot of my prior skills "vaguely" related to what they were asking for did in fact show, not only that I had apptitude, but more skills and practicle experience that would be required to perform the required tasks.  So in my years of experience in todays market, I would never tell someone, especially an individual, that really needed a break like that NOT TO APPLY for a job and scare them away from any employable situation.  For one thing the interviewer not only has the job to see not necessarily who might have the qualifications but who is really the most qualified to perform the job at hand.  I tell all the people I know if you feel you can do it give it a shot. After all that is what the interview process is all about, and too bad for the poor little guy with the arduous task of making the short list. After all he HAS A JOB already and BY-THE-WAY, thats what he gets PAID to do.  Young people never sell yourself short, besides where the heck are you going to get the experience to begin with ? I will take a person with say 5-10 yrs. experience in a labor class job over some book learned individual also.  Thanks for your time.  

Posted by: Renee H.

While I agree that candidates without the requested qualifications are not even looked at, sometimes they have equivalent qualifications, but are bumped by the resume review anyway.  For example, I have been deemed "unqualified" because I have no Master's in a certain area, even though I have a PhD in the same subject matter!

Posted by: Irv

This is baloney.  HR often adds unnecessary requirements because they can.  One hiring manager told me that he'd work around his HR department because they'd do this. He asked them why they appended his requirements, and HR told him because they can.  

Posted by: Tim B

I agree with this to a point. However, many jobs are posted with qualifications that limit the pool to the very few with experience or training, but not necessarily the best candidate.

Posted by: Joe Jobseeker

If it is a company or the type of work I am interested in but I am unqualified for I sometimes will apply for a lower level position in the same field.  Example a position is being offered for Marketing Research Manager I will apply for Marketing Research Assistant.  This is done by stating the “lower” level position as an objective in my cover letter/ résumé. The resume might go to the “overqualified” job offer link or the general resume link. The idea is while I know there is no position currently available to fit my needs once the new person settles in that person might need to hire an assistant/part time/temp etc

Posted by: Lori D.

I am currently faced with this situation while sifting through job ads. I meet all the requirements of a posted position, including certification, but I am not bilingual. While I certainly understand the employer's need to ask for this criterion, should I rule out applying for this position just because I don't meet this one requirement?

Posted by: Ronny K.

I completely agree with you about only applying for jobs you are qualified to do. I don't however agree with all of the "qualifications" they seek... by that I mean this. I am in sales with over 15 years of professional, successful sales & service experience. I spent nearly 11 months out of work a year ago due to a down size. Many of the jobs I applied for during this time because I was VERY qualified to do from an experience standpoint, I was denied even an interview because I only have an Associates degree & not the most often required "4 year degree from an accredited school". Don't get me wrong, I appreciate education and am encouraging my own children to get as much as possible so they are not in the same position I'm in. But just because I had to leave school to work and my parents couldn't afford to spend 100K at a big school so my paper would say something different does NOT mean I am not qualified to sell your product. For whatever that's worth...

Posted by: Ram

I totally agree...apply only if you have at least 90% of the requirements of the position. Another thing, most of the people who are looking for a job don't follow up. How do you want to get a job if you don't follow up, don't just send resumes--check to make sure they received them.