The Job You’re Just Not Qualified For

You’re searching for a job and you stumble upon a posting that is intriguing and just up your alley. It’s what you’ve always wanted to do, or at least one of the stepping stones along the way to your dream job. But there’s one problem: You’re not qualified.

Maybe you lack the educational background. Or maybe you just don’t have the required number of years they want in the field. Maybe you know nothing at all about the job, but it’s something you’ve always wanted to get into and you feel you could pick it up quickly enough.

If you’re like most people, you’ll let the job stay in the “dream pile” and not even bother to apply. But that is the wrong move. By choosing not to apply, you can be missing out on a great opportunity. Who cares if you’re lacking in a qualification or two? If you have a strong interest or desire to do the job, you still have a chance of landing the job and being happy.

One thing to keep in mind when pursuing a job you’re lacking the qualifications for is to NOT LIE. One lie tends to lead to another, and while prospective employers don’t always check up on every little detail on your resume, if a lie is what gets you hired that will eventually come back and bite you in the butt. Many people tend to fudge the truth on their resumes to get a dream job, but if that real truth ever comes to the surface not only do you put your current job at risk, but also all jobs that follow.

The ideal course of action is this: Use a functional-style resume to highlight the skills and capabilities you feel fit the job – while you may lack the necessary skills, you may have related skills that can get your foot in the door.

Another thing you need to do is write a killer cover letter. In it you can show your potential, passion and desire for the job.

The worst that can happen from applying for a job that you’re on surface unqualified for is not getting a ‘no’ from the employer. The best that can happen is the employer seeing potential in you and giving you a shot.

So the next time you see a job listing that you’d love to pursue, but don’t feel qualified for, apply anyway! Sometimes initiative is more important than experience.