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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU To apply for a job without all the 'essential' criteria?

66 replies

EnidSpyton · 17/11/2021 12:10

Looking for experiences of people who applied for jobs they weren't fully qualified for according to the 'essential' JD criteria but still got it anyway...

I've found a job I'd love to apply for and while I know I could do it and have most of the experience and all of the qualifications, there's a pretty essential element I don't have any experience in. I don't personally think it should be a barrier as I feel my experience in other areas makes up for it, but would the org feel the same?!

My usual attitude with work is 'if I were a man, I'd do it anyway' - there's some statistic I've read that says men apply for a job if they meet 60% of the criteria, whereas women will only apply if they meet 100%. I'd say I meet 80% of the essential, and 100% of the desirable for this job. But it's going to take me at least half a day to apply for it, I'm tight on time at the moment, and I don't want to spend the time on the application if I have no chance of getting it. Interested to know what others think and if you'd bother throwing your hat in the ring if you didn't meet 100% of the criteria.

OP posts:
SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 17/11/2021 14:10

When I've been job hunting in the past I've applied for whatever I felt I would be good at. I might not meet the set criteria but that would never stop me applying.

DH is the opposite and only applies for things that he is an exact fit for.

RobinPenguins · 17/11/2021 14:13

But if it's a public sector role they won't interview you

That’s not true - if the other candidates don’t meet all the essential either then we might choose to interview those who meet the most, or the most essential and desirable overall.

OP I think it depends on what the market is like for this kind of role, I’ve recruited before when we’ve had loads of great candidates to whittle down and no one who didn’t have all the essential criteria would have a hope of an interview. And I’ve recruited recently where we’ve really struggled to get any decent applicants at all because there’s a really shortage of qualified people.

GrolliffetheDragon · 17/11/2021 14:14

If the org I work for was looking for someone in that sort of role, already knowing the groups well would absolutely be a major plus that might well get you an interview.

We interview everyone who meets all the criteria, that part is basically tick box, but we can and have interviewed people who haven't if their overall application is good enough.

PlanDeRaccordement · 17/11/2021 14:19

I’d apply. And if there is any way to include your “lived experience” in arts to be listed as an unpaid volunteer type entry on your CV, do it that way. I did for one job as I was on a board of directors and the treasurer for a charity...unpaid position/purely voluntary...but still was experience in that sector.

Wilkolampshade · 17/11/2021 14:22

Tbh you sound a pretty good fit! Go for it!

tabletennistop · 17/11/2021 14:25

@ColinTheKoala

If it's a private sector role, give it a go.

But if it's a public sector role they won't interview you.

This is not true. I have always worked in the public sector and the jobs I got were the ones I thought I was an outsider for, given I could not meet all the criteria. I only once applied for a job where I had everything they asked for, to some degree.
c190 · 17/11/2021 14:25

The way I would look at it is - if you don't apply then you definitely won't get it. So apply for it!

I don't think I have ever had 100% of the "stuff" they ask for on the advert - it is a wish list for the ideal candidate and I don't think they expect anyone to be an exact match. That said, they may well "weight" the importance of some requirements over others.

But at the end of the day - if you don't apply, you won't get it. What have you got to lose?!

tabletennistop · 17/11/2021 14:29

Just read your update. Tbh you sound like a really strong candidate.

anniegun · 17/11/2021 14:30

There is no downside to applying, go for it! There are plenty of job descriptions out there that are just a wish list from the employer , who will inevitably compromise when they see the right candidate. Obviously there are a limits , you would want your brain surgeon to have relevant experience, but this doesn't look that type of job. Ultimately if you sincerely believe you would be great in that job then give it a shot. One of the biggest weakness in recruitment is when organisations focus entirely on relevant experience rather than looking for the best person for the job.

HarrietsChariot · 17/11/2021 14:33

YABU to use the phrase "if I were a man, I'd do it anyway" because men aren't some homogeneous group - some men feel more confident than others.

But YANBU to apply for the job, the important thing is that you feel you are able to explain to them why you're lack of experience in one area is more than made up for by your abilities in others. You need to be able to explain this on paper first, to get an interview, then face to face. As long as you know why you're a great fit for the role, you shouldn't have a problem.

pandora206 · 17/11/2021 14:34

Trustee of an arts centre here - I'd say go for it OP. You do have relevant experience but not quite in the way they have framed the JD. It's certainly worth sending in an application (maybe with a covering letter acknowledging and explaining).

dabbydeedoo · 17/11/2021 14:36

I don't understand why you wouldn't. You have nothing to lose here - worst case scenario you don't get it and you're exactly where you are right now. It won't look bad that you applied - if anything it will look good that you went for it and tried. From what you've said, you do sound pretty qualified for the role - who is going to tick every single box?

LakieLady · 17/11/2021 14:38

A lot of organisations value "lived experience" just as much as professional experience, so go for it.

In the additional info/personal statement bit, you can explain about your experience and how it's relevant. That would definitely get you an interview where I work.

Adm1010 · 17/11/2021 14:45

The job I’m in now I didn’t meet the essential criteria , however I emailed the lead directly , outlined my experience outside of the criteria and my passion for the job in question . I put an application in alongside this . I got an interview and offered the job .

Enb76 · 17/11/2021 15:57

P.S. if you can contact them (telephone/teams not email) and sound them out before applying I would. I always try to speak to the person hiring to chat about the job spec and what they are looking for and it has never let me down, it helps for the application and it helps that they are already looking out for your name. It becomes more and more important the higher I climb up the career ladder.

Bigoldhag · 17/11/2021 16:03

Do it!!!
For whoever said that public sector wouldn’t interview you that is utter bollocks.

If we had candidates that filled all criteria, sure they’d be a step ahead but there have been plenty of times where noone has 100% of criteria and the best ones of that get interviewed.

FreedomFaith · 17/11/2021 16:07

I hadn't done the job at all in the job I got in public sector so definitely not true that you need to match all of it for public sector. Grin Going by my cv I had done maybe 50% of the job before. But I learnt the other 50% very quickly so wasn't a big deal.

Sciurus83 · 17/11/2021 17:22

Oh yes definitely apply you sound like a great candidate!!

millievanillaice · 17/11/2021 17:24

Apply. Most definitely

There's a huge shortage of good people available for all jobs. Now is the time to try

NothingIsWrong · 17/11/2021 17:25

I'm public sector and got my current job without all the essential criteria, against several other candidates and I also negotiated it down to part time.

Go for!

LadyJJ · 17/11/2021 17:36

I shortlist and interview in the NHS, we wouldn't offer an interview to anyone without the essential criteria for the role.
I guess the clue is in the name.
Like pp have said it may be more flexible elsewhere.

MeridianB · 17/11/2021 17:39

Totally go for it. I see so many under-qualified men throwing applications in but not nearly enough confidence from women.

You have nothing to lose.

Mum6776 · 17/11/2021 17:45

I got a public sector job without meeting the essential criteria. I applied on a whim and got it. The only thing I would say is that it's been quite hard getting up to speed to fill the gaps in my knowledge and I've felt stupid at times. If you can brazen it out, it's fine.

MMMarmite · 17/11/2021 17:47

I've just been offered a job where I reckon I met less than 50% of the criteria!

I applied as a massive long shot. It seems that their criteria was more of a wishlist, I guess no-one else must have met them either.

KiwiDramaQueen · 17/11/2021 17:54

I’ve been sifting applications today and at least 80% of the 130 aren’t remotely qualified. It’s dire. Honestly once you see state of most people’s applications for a job you shouldn’t hesitate applying where you meet not all of the criteria.

But take the time to write a strong cover letter / supporting statement that demonstrates your transferable and relevant skills and shows you’ve actually read the role description and understand something about the org!

A lot of people with good CVs barely write anything in their supporting statement and that tells me their either lazy or can’t follow instructions.

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