....to apply for a job that I'm not directly experienced in?

[Gangie]

It's managing a project. Think social/community type thing. No Direct management experience of staff but I do manage volunteers in my current role. Tick a lot of the boxes but my CV is probably a bit different than most other candidates. I have the experience in a variety of roles but not an exact history of this particular role. The salary is a big leap. I really think I could do this job. Will I apply or save myself the heartache?

Apply! Do a skills based CV if it's application by CV and big up the management of volunteers bit. Transferable skills are good. If we only ever applied for jobs we'd already go experience of no one would ever get promotions!

I apply for jobs that don't fit my description all the time. It's up to the employer to decide if I'm a good fit or not. It hasn't gotten me hired yet, but neither has applying in my field.

Oh go ahead and apply! You'll always wonder if y don't give it yr best shot.

Oh god!! Ok I will so! I interview really well (not a stealth boast!) so I just need to get them to shortlist me to be in with a real chance. Has anyone any ideas on how I can get across that I may not be the best candidate on paper but that they really need to meet me, in the cover letter?

Don't think iv done a skills based CV before....any pointers?

I have heard that women are far more likely to look at a promotion and say 'I'm not qualified/experienced enough/good enough'. And men more likely to look at a job and say 'I can give that a shot'. It rang partly true for me, so I would say go for it. Your enthusiasm for it is already shining through :)

Do it. I applied for a job I had no experience in and no qualifications for. Got it and within 10 years was offered a partnership!

(Then messed it up and left to work for the public sector...)

In your cover letter bring out the key elements of the JD and write about where you've demonstrated those skills in your other roles. Good luck!

A bloke would do it

So you do it

Nothing ventured...

Thanks all!!! Have spent some tone looks over job description, making notes now for cover letter. Any ideas on the skill based CV would be great...

The key would be to contact them to discuss the role. They'll then remember you when they read your form.

Just looked at examples of skill based cv.... That seems to be totally the right way to go!!

I'm no expert but think that a skills based CV is where yoy pick out things and describe your experience in doing them like
Leadership - led a review/project
Management - managed x volunteers

And then list your actual job history in brief below. Rather than all the story organised by job.

Iougle - that is excellent advice!! What should I say? I mean key questions...I can mange to introduce myself!!

X post there!

I am a project manager for a charity. Key skills are a good understanding of the aims of the project, good partnership working experience, and also experience of funding- so good written skills essential and how funding works.

It depends on the project, but for example (make sure these aren't already included in the advert, or you'll just look like you have no attention to detail):

How long has the project been running/is expected to run for?
What is the expected reach of the project?
How big is the team the candidate will work in?
Does the project stand alone or does it link in with other projects?
Does the Charity/organisation have links with other similar organisations, and if so what is the scope for development?

Basically any question that you can link your experience into in conversation or in your application.

I applied for a job which was a particular role in a particular establishment, neither of which I had ever experienced. And I got it! So go for it, and good luck