To apply for a job where I dont meet all the criteria?

[SunflowerOwl]

It's an internal promotion. Job spec is similar to my current role, but bigger projects and some line management responsibility (which I've never had before).

I completely feel like I could do it, and lockdown has made my current role so much quieter than usual and it's made me desperate for a new challenge. However, there are a list of criteria to apply and I dont meet 2 out of 8.

AIBU to apply anyway? Has anybody ever managed to wrangle a promotion without meeting all the criteria? I dont want to waste anyone time!

DS, newly out of uni with just one year's sandwich experience, got himself as far as second interview in a job which required "three years' relevant experience".

Go for it.... I applied for a role and though I don't feel I met all the criteria in as much detail as required I was still shortlisted and gained valuable experience from the process. You have nothing to lose.

Well you definitely won’t get it if you don’t at least try! Go for it.

You should never apply for a job that you could already do all the criteria as otherwise what are you going to learn and develop whilst doing the role?!

Best advice I was ever given. My last job I applied for (internal promotion) was one I met none of the criteria for but the manager was great and wanted to train me up.

He did so, it was 100% the right role for me and now I’m being fast tracker for promotion. Go for it, it could be the best thing you ever do!

Lots of men would think 2 out of 8 made them over qualified.

I read about the study with men just thinking' I meet some of the criteria' and women 'I don't meet all of them'.
Look at Kanye West running for presidency. The only thing he has is money (and an ego)

You should never apply for a job that you could already do all the criteria as otherwise what are you going to learn and develop whilst doing the role?!

That's really interesting. I think everywhere I've worked basically required people to already be carrying out the role they wanted to be promoted into before they were given the job, and then only promoted really as a "reward" for already doing that job.

Which seems quite backwards and old-fashioned reading some of these replies. Moving into roles that give you scope to develop seems much better, from both sides (unless you want staff on the cheap I suppose, which is what you're doing by paying people for the role below the one they're performing...until they get fed up and go elsewhere )

Of course you apply!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

At least it will give you feedback (Yes or no)..

Always good for your career. .

Unless it is a very specific requirement like you must have experience of working on Boeing 747 maintenance, or a specific professional requirement like you must be registered to practice, then of course you should go for it. Turn it into a positive. These are the two areas you are keen to develop your skills in etc. Good luck.

As I say to my team - if you're interested in a role apply. You may not get it, but good managers will note your interest and help you to develop so you can get similar roles.

Do it!

Is it essential or preferred that you don’t meet? Preferred isn’t an issue, but essential might be. None of us can answer that without knowledge of the industry, there may be regulatory requirements.

Make sure that you address and mitigate the shortfall in the personal statement, don’t just ignore it.

@snagandchips, that made me chuckle. Go for it OP if you don't get it ask for feedback for next time.

🙄

Yes of course go for it!

It depends on the criteria. If it’s something non-essential like management experience or something that can be learned quickly like excel then apply. But if it’s something that’s necessary from a regulatory angle like a professional qualification or something essential to the job like fluency in a specific language, then there isn’t much point.

In your application, address the criteria you don't yet meet in terms of what you will do to meet them. E.g. If you need a professional qualification, comment on how you will achieve this once in post. Good luck!

Just do it. I did it and got an £18k pay increase and a job I love.

Yes, absolutely. Was coming on to pontificate about men/women and the number of criteria they think they need to meet to apply, but I see that several PP have already made that point! And always good experience to apply for the next job - whether or not you get it.

I mean yes, apply, not yes yabu!

Definitely apply - there might not be anyone that meets all of the criteria or they may think your other experience is more valuable.

If you're unsuccessful you might get some helpful feedback and advice on how to get where you want to be.

Good luck!

I’ve done this before and have even been offered jobs where I’ve had experience but no formal qualifications despite that being a specific criteria.
If I don’t get the job (and still want it after an interview because I don’t always) I consider it their loss as I know I’d have done a good job. But, I also accept that I’m not everyone’s choice.
I don’t like everyone so cannot expect everyone to like me.

Would it be worth speaking to a line manager before you go to all the effort of applying?

Go for it. As long as it’s not something like being a doctor where you need a medical degree then what’s the harm. I’d never even heard of two of the essential things in my job description and the answer to one of my questions was ‘I don’t know’

Still got the job. Thanks £10k payrise 💰😂

Men apply when they meet 30% of the criteria, and often get the role.
Women tend to be more cautious and feel they need to meet 80 to 100% of the criteria

Get on with it!

Do it!
Is it something where you could talk about a similar / related skill that you have?
eg. it asks for experience using software A, but you have used software B which is similar?
Or it asks for management experience, and while you haven't actually managed any staff, you have been responsible for supervising an intern say?