Have you ever applied for a job you thought you had no chance of getting and actually got it?

[SummerBlueskies]

I’ve been looking for a new job for a while now. I’ve recently applied for one that I have all the required experience for but I know other people in my company will apply too and some of them have done the job longer and a couple have higher responsibilities than me so will look better on their CV.
The thing is I really want this job, it’s a lot more money than I’m currently on and would work better for me with family life. I’ve had a couple of knock backs with other jobs which I think has affected my confidence so I’m asking if anyone has ever applied for a job they thought they had no chance of getting and actually got it?
Give me some hope please 😂

Yes back in '76 now and was out of work and had to be seen to apply for jobs to get a continuation of a grant whilst studying. Applied for a milkmaid position and made a deliberate hash of the application and was successful (later found out I was the only one to apply). For the next 8 months I was in charge of 16 cows and milked them daily including Christmas

Yes.

And was recognised in parliament for my work.

I haven’t, but my ex-colleague did.
I read the job description, she absolutely could not have done that job, she couldn’t do the one she was supposed to already be doing.
It was double her annual salary, flexitime, pick your own hours, it was a dream.
The lucky bastard blagged her way through it, she was an incredible bullshitter and even laughed that they believed her.
She got the job, I nearly fell off my damn chair.
I took my hat off to her, the gal can sell herself.

Honestly, drip confidence, a bit of bullshit and you’ve got the job in the bag 😂

Yeah- a few times but to be fair this was early naughties- ie when uk had a structural manpower shortage in my sector.

Yes, four years ago I got a job in my dream place: never thought I’d ever be lucky enough to work there (unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, though, I was unable to take the job…).

I’ve got all the relevant experience they’re asking for, I spent over an hour doing the application and really tried to sell myself to them in the supporting statement but I haven’t lied about anything.
I bloody hate job applications 😩

Nothing to add here, only to say good luck ☘️ 😃

Also rooting for you OP!

@TheRosesAreInBloom @Workplacedilemma84 thank you!

Yes. In fact I had a clash of interviews, and almost went to the interview for the lower-ranked (for want of a better expression) post, because I was so convinced I wouldn’t get the better job. Thankfully DH shouted talked some sense into me and really worked with me on preparation.

I’ve been in the better job 10+ years now, with promotions 😁

Good luck OP!

I’m currently working in a job where I did not have the first two essential qualifications listed on the person spec. What I did have was bags of experience. And, possibly, a face that fitted.

Good luck!

@CheeryOchreCat thank you. I was telling my DH about the job before I applied because I was umming and ahhing, he gave me the kick I needed to apply. Now I’ve applied I’m doubting myself and already taking myself out of the running and the job doesn’t even close for another week or so.
I will definitely come and update if I get an interview or another rejection

Lots of times. I was once called to interview for a job where all candidates had to work together on something. Every single person was far better qualified than me, so I just decided to be the most flexible, nice person in the room and to give the best presentation I could. I was over the moon when I got the job and it launched a new career for me which I have loved and done ever since.

On two other occasions I wanted a freelance contract that was out of my reach but I did everything I could to get it and got it. One of them I'm still contracted to do for part of the year, and I love it.

My advice is: research the company thoroughly and that department in particular. In interview, focus on what they need, what they are looking for and talk in a confident but not brash way about how you would hope to solve these problems for them or take the initiative for them, Basically, sound like an asset they can't afford to lose, and sound like you admire or respect this company more than any other in the world.

I’ve just done a job interview this week for a job similar to mine but in a completely different sector as such. Similar to you I was going to pull out of the interview, and similar to posters above my DH corralled me into doing the interview (and the bastard presentation I also had to do).

I find out Monday.

Having done the interview I actually don’t care if I get it or not now, but I value the interview experience.

So perhaps see it that way - an opportunity to do an interview, take some of the pressure away say to yourself you’re going in to try it out and be your best self. If you get the job then it’s a bonus if not you’ve lost absolutely nothing (maybe a little pride but pride is not an actual thing and can be built up again).

Yes and it was my current job…the best job ( in terms of happiness, job satisfaction etc) ive ever had!

Yes! I really was starting to dislike my old job, and one day after a particularly bad spell of shifts I rage applied for a load of office/admin based jobs and also chucked my CV forward for a really random local government job. I got offered a few interviews, the first being for the government job, which I was shocked about as I had zero experience or knowledge. I thought, well I have nothing to lose, I know I won't get the job but it will be good experience to have an interview before the other jobs that I have a chance of getting. Went to this interview (first interview in a decade) had absolutely zero clue about it, hadn't done any prep, and felt it didn't go well, but was happy I'd got through an interview. A few days later I got offered the job! I was absolutely shocked. It was the best thing to ever happen. They've put me through loads of training, I've gained so much knowledge and extra qualifications, and work with the loveliest little team of people, for so much money money than I used to earn. The office is also within a few minutes of my house, which I had no idea about when I applied for the job. You have zero chance without trying, so even if you think it's unlikely you'll get it, you won't know unless you try. Good luck!

Yep the very first job I got in my current field, nearly 20 years ago, got to the interview/recruitment day to find it was a group assessed task, then a written test, then a role play, then an interview, I never received my interview letter they just called me the day before to check if I was coming as I hadn't responded (because I didn't get the letter or recruitment pack) . I didn't even understand half the acronyms in the first bit and the other 4 applicants were all internal and clearly knew more about what is quite a niche industry, I was 2 years post graduation and had worked in an entirely different much more corporate field until I got made redundant. When they called me that evening to tell me I was successful I was gobsmacked. Nearly 20 years on I am now in a very senior role in the same field, different direct employer but same niche area of work.

Also wanted to add, since being there, and obviously speaking to my team about the interview, how badly I thought it went and how I was surprised I got the job, my manager has said, yes there were people with more experience and knowledge, but as it's such a small team, the most important thing for them was finding someone that they knew would fit in well, so it's not always about being the best and most experienced. I felt the interview went terribly as I openly said I didn't know much about the government sector, but that I was willing to learn. I think because I wasn't stressed about the interview as felt I didn't stand a chance, I came across quite laid back and more friendly than I usually would in an interview setting as I just wasn't stressed or worried at all. This is what they wanted, and knew knowledge could be built with training so weren't bothered about me "knowing everything" they just wanted someone who would fit in and be able to have a laugh

Thanks all you’re all giving me some hope. Even if I only get an interview it’ll be experience if nothing else. The job is actually for the same employer I’m working for now but in a completely different department. I know there’ll be other people at my level applying and a couple who are currently above me in seniority applying. If it’s meant to be it’ll be x

Yes. As a train driver 😆

Yes, I did.

It was double my present salary and much more responsibility but after a really horrible break up, I just thought “feck it, if I get an interview it’s a day out and I need a day out”, as it was several hours way from where I was living at the time and I’d never been there before.

I was pleased to get an interview and assumed I was there to make up numbers as I couldn’t possibly be a front runner at my age and probably the wrong sex (!) I went along with zero expectations so felt under no pressure. I was very calm and positive and I did know my onions but in my experience, it was always men about 10-15yrs older than me who got these sort of jobs.

When they rang me to offer the job, I actually asked if they were winding me up. 🤣🤣. I’d had a glass of vino and it was late in the evening as it had taken hours to get back home so I was just chilling and probably a tiny bit pissed. Very senior Bod laughed and said I was a breath of fresh air.

Moved house, did job well and met DH. Happy days!!

I put absolute minimal effort into an applicstion and got the job. I might follow this blueprint in future.

Not me but my husband. This was years ago. The job wasn't completely different but he had no direct experience of the actual job he was applying for.

Somehow he got through 5 rounds of interviews including with the team in New York and got the job. It was crazy. He applied just to give it go, never expecting to get it.

After he started he had a very, very steep learning curve to actually learn the job but he was there for 5 years so can't have been too bad!

I got offered a job where they called me up to offer it and I asked them if they were sure! I thought the IV went absolutely horribly and I literally said at the interview I didn't know the answers to some of their questions.

They said they saw potential...

Yes, I applied for an internal promotion that I didn’t realistically think I’d get. I felt I had the right experience but I wasn’t really sure what sort of person they were looking for.

I went up against two other internal candidates and two external candidates and I got the job - plus a £25k payrise.