I want to apply for a job that I know I would be good at but have no formal training for. Am I mad?

[MarmaladeTwatkins]

It's a catering job at a residential home, just cooking proper home-cooked meals for 22 residents and baking cakes/pastries.

Not blowing my own trumpet, but I am a good cook and can make naice cakes. I would love to work in a job with food and this one would be perfect for me... at the bottom of my street, nice hours that fit in with school runs... but I have no formal experience. The job description says previous experience preferred and baking experience essential. Well, I have baked all sorts of cakes but not in a professional capacity.

I haven't applied for a job in over ten years and feel a bit out of my depth, pathetic as it sounds. Do you think it's even worth me applying?!

are you going to deliver app by hand? ask if you can look around/if there's someone you can speak too?

or to...

Hello! Have taken my CV in along with a mini portfolio of my cakes etc. Made a rookie error and forgot to put any references on the CV.

It's a fairly small home and privately run. It's in a Georgian house and the kitchen is a modern extension on the back.

I'll copy and paste the job description (don't know why I didn't do that sooner!)

Previous experience of working within a similar environment would be desirable. Basic food hygiene certificate would be a distinct advantage. Duties will involve food preparation and cooking for up to 22 residents and staff within a residential home. Must have baking experience as you will also be required to bake pastries and cakes. Other duties will involve assisting to keep the kitchen area clean and tidy, stock rotation of foods, and updating records in line with health and hygiene legislation. Successful applicants are required to provide an enhanced disclosure. Disclosure expense will be met by the employer. This position is daytime hours only. Transport, may be an advantage, as buses are infrequent at weekends. 16 per week 3/4 days over 7 alternative Saturdays and Sundays. Between 9.30am - 1.30pm. If you wish to apply for this position please apply by CV and send it by post for the attention of the Duty Manager.

Thanks so much for all the encouragement/tips/honesty. Fingers crossed!

Good luck!

My mum was the cook in our local hospice which sounds a similar size.

Definitely have a look into specific dietary requirement, coeliacs, diabetes, lactose intolerance, soft foods, stuff that can be eaten with one hand, ways to add calories for the ones on build up diets, (cream & egg in the mash, banana smoothies, that kind of thing). Also brush up on all the old classics, rice pudding is always a fave, soft boiled eggs, stew, egg custards, sausage & mash.

Sounds perfect for you. I'll keep everything crossed

Ahhh thanks, Randall!

I will do some swotting up now on lactose intolerance and diabetics as they are the only things I am not 100% sure on. I have to cook for lactose intolerant/coeliacs often now anyway. And am well used to bumping up calories for DS who eats the sum total of jeff all most days

My DS is very similar, he pretty much lives on cream crackers, humus, bread sticks and those minging pots of fruit smush

The main area of expertise will be cooking food you can eat without teeth

Good luck, you fucker!

I think you have got a good chance, and if not, bollocks you have given it a go.

"The main area of expertise will be cooking food you can eat without teeth"

Ha ha ha! Easy enough. Just cook anything and bash it with a rolling pin, isn't it?!

Thanks Gerrof! "Bollocks, I have given it a go" I am going to make myself a motivational badge saying that. I need to get some balls to attempt more things tbh. I have zero faith in myself and I don't know why because I am fucking brilliant.

You should have faith in yourself, hopefully they will see you as the lovely git person you are. And I bet you can bake a mean lemon drizzle cake.

Good luck, keep us posted!

"And I bet you can bake a mean lemon drizzle cake."

Good luck!

Thank you Doctrine and Beast! :)

Please keep us posted am really excited for you

Good luck.

I've also applied for a new job tonight and really, really, really want to get it but feel a bit out of my depth with the application and interview bit. It's been ages since I've had an interview.

Thanks you two!

What have you applied for, Sarah? Daunting innit, putting yourself out there again after such a long time! I've luckily never been unemployed, but still doubt my skills/experience...

Sarah I'd never had an interview before getting this job. I'd gone from YTS to hair salon. I was so shocked to get to the 2nd stage then get the job. So it's doable if I can do it

It's an admin post at a school and it would be ideal for me, just the hours I want and term time only so great for the holidays.

I know I could do it well, but it's been a long time since I did admin and even longer since I've had an interview and I'm sure that sort of job will be in demand.

Fingers crossed for both of us.

Juniper well done for getting the job.

Not adding your references is definately not a rookie error! References are not generally put on cv's but if you are made an offer of employment it is at that point the prospective employer will ask for referees.

Good luck and all your talk of cake had made me hungry!

Juniper, that's really encouraging! You've done good, gal! :)

Ooh fingers crossed then Sarah. Take a cake in to the interview?

We'd be in good company with the cake.

Didn't Caitlin Moran do that once?

Oh, thank bollocks for that then!

Did she?! Well, I bet it had all pubes stuck to it.

I don't think she mentioned the pubes in the article.

Pube cake. Don't put that in your portfolio.

I made the mistake of telling my mother I'd applied for something this morning. Her reply was "Oh good...I suppose a lot of other people will apply so don't be disappointed."

Thanks Mum.

Ha ha ha, ever the optimist, eh?! My mum is too much the other way. "APPLY! You'll definitely get it! Take them a fish pie, Twatkins! They'll definitely give to you if you do them a fish pie. Don't put the parsley in though because not everyone's a fan but APPLY!"