transferable skills and wording

[pinktips]

Thinking of applying for a job that is perfect to get me back to work, whilst juggling school age/preschoolers/house. Problem is, I have very minimal "essential" requirements buta gigantic list of niche transferable skills. It is in a school, so has a basic timeline/qualifications application form to which you attach a letter of application. Do you point out that your "essential" skills are low but could adapt easily? If so where and if so how, without screaming "I am chancing my luck and hoping you believe me when I say I can do this (which I really think I can)"....Make sense?

[MagicalHamSandwich]

Any way that you can shoehorn your transferable skills into the essential ones at least for the initial part of the application process? You can always elaborate at an interview!

TBH I receive 50+ CVs for every position I'm looking to staff - and that's internal staffing rather than recruitment - so anyone that doesn't tick the right boxes on sight I won't even phone up. It's not that I don't think some of these people wouldn't be great in the position, but seeing as this is but a minute part of my job I just can't justify expending all that time to check every candidate individually.

I'm thinking your chances might be way better if you manage to survive the initial weeding out round. It's when they look at you in more depth that transferable skills tend to be a real seller IME.

[daisychain01]

Hi pinktips, what are the niche transferable skills? can you give some examples ?

[pinktips]

The job is working with a child with autism who is developmentally delayed, requires one to one assistance to stay help stay with the task the rest of the class is doing (within reception at main stream school) but also to deliver tasks set out by the Special Educational Needs coordinator. He has no verbal communication skills but can hear and use picture cards to express needs (I know this from working with him when he was at preschool). My experience is with adults with learning disabilities and mental health, so working with challenging behaviour; assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating Individual care packages; use of non verbal communication tools (but only minimally!); liasing with other professionals and feeding back regarding the plans for clients; experience in personal care (toileting/washing/feeding) which is all needed with the child. I have also worked with the child previously.

I think what makes me hesitant is the diagnosis of autism, a disorder I've only come across in this child in any capacity. I have been doing reading on it but I am worried that it would be too much for me ( even though I know what is involved with him) and I let him down. But I strongly feel it is a role I can adapt too. I think an understanding of autism is one thing but the varying presentations mean each person is different and there is no blanket approach ( a mindset I have always worked with professionally).

I have volunteered at my local preschool for three years (whilst my children attended) and I just don't think that would be seen as enough 'child' experience.

I also think it is my first application in 9 years, since having the kids, so it is a scary as hell prospect!! Which is probably why I am so worked up about it.

[DoreenLethal]

Go through each of the essential requirements, spelling out how you can meet and exceed each one. Then go through the desired and spell out how you meet each one.

What essential skills do they want that you do not have?