Stupid question maybe! Would you apply for a job...

[vodkaanddietcokeplease]

If you didn't meet all of the essential criteria?

Or would you think 'sod it, I could do most of it and I'm perfectly capable of learning the rest so no harm trying'?

@SandunesAndRainclouds it's a School Business Manager

You're all making me feel like I really should just apply! One part that has me wondering is a ticky box - 'Do you consider you meet all the essential criteria on the Person Specification which are measurable from your application and, therefore, are applying under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?'

Disregard in the fact that I don't know what the Guaranteed Interview Scheme is (ahem) if I tick yes I'm being dishonest. But I tick no will they just disregard my application?

I would apply. But don't tick the guaranteed interview scheme as that's usually related to if you have a disability they have to guaranteed you an interview if you meet the relevant essential criteria. It's so the council can say they are inclusive of people with disabilities.

They won't disregard your application if you don't tick this. But be aware school roles are very competitive and a business manager is usually the lead admin in the school so they usually lead a team of office staff also.

The guaranteed interview thing is for people with disabilities.

I'd apply for a job that I didn't meet all the criteria to, for sure, but I don't think I'd apply for one where I didn't meet three - especially as that last point is complex! But you've got nothing to lose unless you'd apply there for something else so it won't be the end of the world.

@vodkaanddietcokeplease - I'm applying for a school business manager role and I don't have all the requirements. They have said must be willing to receive trading etc so I've said looking forward to receiving training in ..... Wonder if it's the same job

@AnchorDownDeepBreath that's my concern, that I'm really not what they're looking for and that even if I did get an interview I'd be laughed out of it. I agree with your post more than the others telling me to go for it I think 😬

@Okki in a town in the NE?!

I tend to learn software basics by using YouTube. It can be very useful and has loads of tutorials on it.

With regard to analysis, were you given sales data in Retail? If so think about how you interpreted that and made decisions off the back of it. I.e. did you change the layout of some stock, staff rotas etc.

I feel bad now, @vodkaanddietcokeplease!

It is true that men tend to go for these jobs and women don't, so I make an effort to go if I meet 85 - 90% of the job description.

If you do go for it, I wish you the best of luck!

I use SIMs every day, it's ok to use. None of my colleagues know how to use it fully though!

Sorry, just read the thread, my boss is the business manager, bar getting the odd phone number and looking at a picture I don't think she uses it really.

I doubt business management would use SIMS too much.

Finances, accounts, managing lettings, procurement, organisation of IT, pay, insurances... loads of non-teaching stuff. According to headteacher DH!

Yes yes yes DO IT!

I would say School Business Managers do use SIMS fairly extensively. That said, if you are competent with picking up data systems quickly and have a good understanding of accounting systems and juggling budgets about you should be ok. Our SBM regularly reports to the governors with projections and budget reports and I'm sure they have been generated via SIMS

@AnchorDownDeepBreath please don't!

@SandunesAndRainclouds seeing it written down it looks scary! But I do lots of those in my current job anyway so don't know why I feel like it's so hard.

@bowchicawowwow accounting systems and juggling budgets about. Hmmm 🤔 can't really apply that to my job now I don't think.

Ahhh I don't think I should bother! There are other simpler admin jobs in the area big drop in salary but then also in responsibility I guess!