Applying for job that I'm under qualified for. Women always hold back.

[yoyoman]

I want to apply for a job I'm under qualified for. I have all the qualifications but the day to day tasks some I can do others I haven't done.
On one side I feel confident that I have the skills to learn on the job on the things I lack. I am a go getter and very ambitious.
But I also a shot scared. Will I be over my depth? Will I fail miserably ? I and anxiety so this doesn't help.
In my research I came across the fact that women tend not to go for jobs because of these feelings. Men on the other hand even if not qualified will go for it.
Do you think IABU to go for the job?

Do it.

The outcome is not under your control but thinking about your transferable skills now for this application will help you for future jobs.

I would definitely go for it! Studies show that men apply for jobs if they have between 40-60% of the essentials and women are more likely to only apply if they have 90-100% (disclaimer - not all women/men). It’s the one areas where I encourage young women to be more like men.
If you don’t apply, you’ll never know. Good luck!

I took a leap of faith and did this. I've found it quite hard but I'm still there. I've felt a bit of a fool when I've got things wrong. But I have really supportive colleagues. Apply and be honest and see what happens.

I applied for a job at the start of my career that wanted 2 years experience but I had only 8 months experience as a contractor in a related area, so didn’t have all the skills required. This new job was exactly what I wanted to do though, the job I was in was only loosely related to what I wanted to do and was only to be for a year, I’d only taken it to gain some experience after college.

I decided not to apply as my anxiety took over, but my boyfriend (now husband) convinced me to and said I have nothing to lose, and I should believe in myself that given the opportunity I could learn those skills. I got the job and I’m still there 18 years later doing exactly what I wanted for a career. I did learn those skills and I’m very good at my job 😊 Go for it, and believe in yourself, if it’s meant for you it will be yours.

Treat it as a goal setting exercise. What would you need to improve to get the job?
That's the worst case.

Such amazing, empowering responses! Thank you !

Firstly, it's not really your choice ultimately. So, apply, see how you get on. If you get it, great. If not, it's also great experience.

Yes, women are always over cautious. Men often apply under-qualified. They then often ask for loads more money.

Was shocked by the disparity when I started recruiting people.

Go for it. If you had all the skills required you’d be bored to tears in a few months.

Of Course you apply! Fake it until you make it, and with your amazingness it won't be long.

Stop. Doubting. Yourself.

You can do anything you dedicate yourself to.

You said you were under qualified for but then also say you have all the qualifications for. Go for it.

Go for it OP! I'm currently doing a bit "faking it until I make it"

I applied for a job, I'm also studying PT, after interview I had a morning with the staff member already there and it became clear to me that the boss thinks ill be able to do X once I'm fully qualified in July but actually X isn't covered in my course at all. I decided not to take the job on that basis (didn't tell them that though) but they called me back and really wanted me so I took the job. Now I'm looking at short courses of how to do X

In most of my jobs i have always asked about other applicants (once i was hired) and am always shocked by the people who apply, so many chancers. People in other countries, no experience, no qualifications at all. One job had 40 applicants like this with only 3 decent ones apparently so you will likely standout for at least being relevant.

Also don't discount the value of simply being present. My current job which is pretty close to my dream job as a high end garden designer, i was the ONLY decent applicant and my experience is fairly spotty and only adjacently relevant. I ended getting not the job i applied for exactly but they offered me something similar as they didnt want to lose me.

It is a small company and they have learned that hiring skills doesnt work for them and instead they hire the person and train them meaning all their staff are wonderful.

@BumblebeeBum

You said you were under qualified for but then also say you have all the qualifications for. Go for it.

This, in spades!

Your post resonated with me- I did much the same thing, the week before Xmas. As in, I applied for a job I could only confidently do about 75% of. And I've been a SAHM for 5 years, self-employed for 7 years before that. I was shitting myself when they actually granted me an interview.

I was very honest about what I wasn't confident in, and played up my strengths. Through grace luck & (I suppose) skill, they offered it to me!

You are so right that we tend to underplay/underestimate ourselves. If nothing else, look at it as simply good experience and just apply.

Promise you will??

Yeah why not, I think there's a line, if a job asks for certain qualifications usually that's less negotiable than years of experience etc, but if you don't apply you don't know!

We don’t “always”, just “often”. Come and join the small but growing number of us women who ‘lean in’ and apply. See how it goes- what’s the worst? You don’t get the job, but you know what the gaps you need to close are, and you’re no worse off than before applying. If that is the “worst” outcome of a situation, there’s no need to avoid the whole situation, is there?

I did this op! Start my new post on Monday

Thank you All! I feel really motivated
Complete opposite of last night when self doubt was really settling in.
I will definitely apply and will report back with how I get on.

Yep, go for it and apply OP. Keep us updated!!

Fabulous. Will be checking for updates.

I applied for a job that I absolutely don't have the experience for but was hired over someone that 1. Already works for the company and 2. Is very well thought of.

This is because I interview well! And I think I'm doing well in the job I do!

I did meet about 80% of the person spec. I work in a niche area of nursing so it's usual to have people apply who don't fully meet the criteria but if they are clear that they are willing to achieve it through their application or have similar or transferable skills I don't think it is an issue

I am doing the same thing OP. Hardly slept last night, tossing and turning about it.

I have always suffered with imposter syndrome but it's time to stop.

We can do it!! My application has to be in by tomorrow and I haven't even started yet Good luck!

When i was in my late 20s I was shortlisted for a job interview at another firm. I had the qualifications, training, some experience in my field and was good at my job. I lacked some confidence though.

A colleague in my office said her husband was also going for the job. She proceeded to brag about his experience, expertise and confidence. It almost felt like he had it in the bag. I nearly didn't go to the interview because I was convinced this man would get, due to the cockiness of his partner.

I got the job. I doubted myself and my ability. The male in this story, by contrast (who had less experience, training and qualifications thsn me) was so assured he eould get tgis that he had presumably convinced his wife of that too.

I still suffer from imposter syndrome, and I'm nearly 50, with over 25 years' experience, so pease believe in yourself - as cheesy as it sounds.

I've often heard that men tend to apply for jobs whether or not they have the qualifications.

I think this may work in the private sector, but in the public sector, if they mark something as being essential, you have to have it, they won't shortlist you without it.

The answer, if employers really want a decent number of decent applicants, is to think very carefully about what is really essential, and what is desirable and what they can teach on the job. If they did this, it would help women who are more reticent in applying.

@Envoitrevisage

We don’t “always”, just “often”. Come and join the small but growing number of us women who ‘lean in’ and apply. See how it goes- what’s the worst? You don’t get the job, but you know what the gaps you need to close are, and you’re no worse off than before applying. If that is the “worst” outcome of a situation, there’s no need to avoid the whole situation, is there?

I think this is ok if all you need to do is send in a CV. But if you have to fill in a detailed application form and potentially do presentations etc at interview, I wouldn't bother unless I really really really wanted the job.

As someone else said it’s not your choice really.
You can choose to apply for the job but let the employer decide if you are suitable.
Unless it’s brain surgery or similar I’m sure you can quickly learn anything you need to fill any knowledge gaps
What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t get the job? You haven’t got it now so just go for it