To go for a job that may be bigger than me

[BloominZoomin]

From the job description I tick a number of the boxes but overall I feel that the role (legal) requires quite a bit more experience than I have.

However, I think that if you have a fairly solid foundation to build on and with support hopefully you won't fuck up majorly.

Have you ever gone for a job and realised once started that you were out of your depth and how did it work out for you?

hbr.org/2014/08/why-women-dont-apply-for-jobs-unless-theyre-100-qualified

This type of article made me apply for a job I didn't meet every single listed criteria. I got the job I'm doing very well. If the interviewers see potential in you then you'll have a good chance.

I applied for a job 2 pay grades higher than myself (within my organisation!) which asked for extensive experience in X department and project management skills. I had 3 years experience working in Y department and a degree and had never touched a project in my life. But the job spec sounded amazing so I arranged to meet the hiring manager for coffee to see how I should plan my next steps to maybe be in a job like that in 2-4 years.

However, I hit it off with the manager and a colleague at interview, he has since told me I made him realise that it would be better to hire someone junior and train them up as there were already 6 experienced people in the team who could help out and that they might appreciate the fresh perspective.

I got the job, first year was super tough, mainly because of the pressure I put on myself + having to learn it mostly from home due to Covid. But I absolutely LOVE the role, it’s such a good fit for me and the manager was right- I have a different perspective to others on the team due to my lack of experience, but it is a useful one! 14 months in I got my first promotion so now I am only 1 grade below my colleagues and I have a development plan to help me reach the second one in 18 months (junior management role that usually takes 3-4 years of preparation).

Putting myself out there has transformed the trajectory of my career. My old colleagues in Y department will probably take 2-3 years to make the promotion I just got.

I’ve had to push through stuff that I really didn’t feel confident executing but have since realised that most people at this level seem to be making it up as they go along 🤔 and that actually being able to calmly make decisions in tough situations and know when to ask for help is a skill in itself.

Well, I feel that you have to think big sometimes (@Gwenhines - aka thinking like a man).

Interview on Friday - let's see how it goes!

Good luck
I didn’t think I stood a chance of getting the really good job I have now.

Thank you ☘️

I've applied to be a judge!
Failed horribly on the first attempt, as in one if the most mortifying experiences of my life. But am trying again and waiting to hear now!

I've just applied and got a job that I thought was way out of my league. I haven't started it yet so I don't know how it will pan out but it was reading articles like Gwenhines posted that made me apply. Its worth having a go!

This has really made me think! If I saw my job advertised I'd think it were out of my league

I think it’s worth a try! I once applied for a promotion I knew deep down I wasn’t quite ready for and didn’t get, but my boss was impressed with my ambition and it meant she took my development more seriously.

It’s worth a go!