To apply for a job even though I don't meet the essential criteria?

[Stiltons]

I'd like to apply for a job in a different field from mine. I have a lot of skills that would transfer across but one of the essential criteria listed is a knowledge and experience of a certain type of software. I have never used anything like it before but I would certainly be capable of learning.

Is it worth at least approaching the person given as the informal contact? How would I word an email? 'Hi, I'd like to apply for your job but I don't have this thing you've asked for' seems a bit wet.

You can do, but if you don’t meet the criteria then they don’t have to interview you or give you the job.

Worst that is going to happen is you apply and they say no. No harm done but taken some of your time.

I just had something very similar, applied for a job that I met all the criteria except having experience with a certain program (SAGE so I don't know if it's similar to yours or not). I got the job and start next month! Apply, the worst that can happen is you don't get it.

I'm not sure if you're female but I have seen a lot of reports saying that women feel they have to meet all the criteria for a job whereas men will apply if they feel they meet some of the criteria and think they could learn on the job. I'd say if you really like the look of the role apply and emphasis the skills you do have and perhaps any previous situations when you've had to get yourself you to speed quickly and how you've done it. Good luck!

Worth a shot! Make it super clear how you meet the other criteria and emphasise your adaptability. Anything you can throw in to show your awareness of this other software, or similar work you've done, would also help.

Also, make it really easy for the people looking at your application - answer all the criteria in strict order, with a new paragraph for each point, and don't worry about repeating yourself in bit to do that. Good luck!

Employers are very good at writing job specifications, particularly in the public sector eg Essential: A first or upper second in breeding unicorns and a qualification as a barrister or medical doctor; Desirable: At least 5 years experience in managing unicorns for a publicly quoted company.

However, if they can't find the person with perfect qualifications and ideal experience then they have three choices: do without, keep looking or appoint the best person they can find even if that person doesn't comply with their criteria.

So it's maybe a couple of hours and a stamp. Is that worth wasting to get a chance at the job?

Yes, I'd drop them an email.

As an employer I like it when people email me about jobs and ask questions. It shows they r keen, but also that they want to understand the role better and find out of it's right for them etc..

Occasionally I get emails from people who are way off what is required (e.g. have a GCSE in psychology, when I actually need a qualified, registered Psychologist who has completed a degree, doctorate and further professional training). I don't mind these emails, it's quick to put them straight and no-one wastes time by either completing or reading a pointless application form.

Nothing drives me more insane though than reading a completed form by someone who clearly doesn't have the qualifications, doesn't know what the job entails, and has put little effort into writing the form or understanding the person spec.

So - email, ask, and if they advise you to apply, then apply! :)

I always apply regardless wether I meet the criteria or not.

You can only try and worst case scenario - they say no.

Definitely apply if you think it would be a good fit! I would stress any transferable skills such as knowledge of a similar software package and how you went about gaining experience of it in the past.

Having worked in recruitment and now HR for many years, I can tell you almost no roles are actually filled by someone with the exact requirements laid out in the job spec, for various reasons. As a PP also said above, men often do better because they’ll take a punt, whereas woman need to be convinced they meet the whole list (I’ve seen it first hand on many occasions) even when the skills and experience are pretty similar.

Give it a go, you’ve nothing to lose. And good luck!

Rather than drop them an email I’d give them a call if that’s possible. Tell them you have all the essential skills apart from one and detail how you have the knowledge and experience to pick up the one you don’t have. For example, “I don’t have Python yet but I have Ada and Pascal which are similar, so I can pick it up quickly”. Then detail in your application what you have done that’s similar to the essential requirement.

Women only apply for jobs where they feel they meet 80% of the criteria, men apply on just 20%!!
Have a little google at transferable skills headings and see what you can put in what boxes that would match the criteria asked for.
As another op said, be clear and concise with your letter/application and write a cover letter stating why you feel you wish to apply, just a polite one pager.hth

Yes I’d heard this too @Thecrown3 !
Women tend not to apply if they don’t meet essential, whereas men tend to chance their arm and throw their hat in the ring.

Contact hiring manager you’ve nothing to loose

I have an interview tomorrow for a job I applied for for which I meet only some of the criteria. It is a fairly specialised job, though, I meet some of the criteria and they want 3 people in role... so they are probably struggling to find enough people who do meet the criteria.

So I think it really depends on how likely you think they are to get people who fit their wish list - if that isn't going to be a problem for them, then I suspect it is unlikely that someone who doesn't meet it will get a look in.

It might be worth, as suggested above, phoning and saying you are very interested, you don't completely meet the criteria, are they able to tell you what the response for the job is? Do they have sufficient likely candidates?

What can you lose? Men do this all the time!

I absolutely love my job. I didn’t meet the essential criteria when I applied for it, but the location and hours were so perfect and I was perfect for half the job, so I applied anyway. I didn’t expect to get it but I am so glad I did. I trained for the other half of the job after I started and sort of eased myself into the full job- they adjusted to my capabilities too.

They do say fortune favours the brave. So go for it! There may be other openings, they might be impressed with your initiative, at the very least, you'll have gained a little more practice with job applications. You have absolutely nothing to lose.

I think it’s worth a try if you meet most of the criteria, the cover letter is a good opportunity to talk about transferable skills and why you’re a good fit if your CV doesn’t make it obvious

Go for it! I guarantee you that you won't be the only application that doesn't meet the essential criteria, but don't try to pretend you know more than you do.

Worse that can happen is they don't get back to you. Nothing lost. Go for it!!! 🙂

I’d apply and in my cover letter say, even though I have not used specific software, I am proficient in xyz software and am very fast at learning new systems

TalbotAMan Love your post!

Thanks everyone! I will definitely approach the contact

Don't approach the company, just apply and emphasise all your other amazing transferable skills. The worst they can do is say no.

Is there any chance of shadowing someone for a half day who uses the software? Would at least give you something to put on your application form rather than no experience at all? I did something similar when I had no experience in a particular field. Then I wrote on my application that I had spent time shadowing someone and gave a few examples of things I had experienced, and ended up getting the job.

I've done that; said I knew a program that I'd never used before. I got the job and learned really quickly. Is it something you can learn on your own, or is it software specific to that job?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Some years ago a friend of mine applied for a job which stated that an MSc was essential and PhD desirable. She only had a BSc. Not only did she get the job, but her new employer then provided her with both the practical and financial support needed for her to get both higher qualifications whilst she worked for them. She worked stupendously hard to achieve that of course, but it was her self belief and refusal to be put off applying that got her started in the first place.
If you don't get shortlisted you are no worse off than you are now, but you could have a lot to gain if you go for it. The employer may be more impressed by your initiative than they are put off by you not having that specific skill yet.
Good luck!