Going for a role with some gaps in knowledge/experience

[Quirkyme]

Good afternoon

I wondered if anyone here - women particularly, go for roles where you may have some gaps in knowledge/experience for the role but it's not a dealbreaker?

I'm interested in a role, where this is the case slightly, however, it's knowledge that I can acquire and my transferable skills and experience and crossover with the field can be used....

I'm in a senior role currently, and this is also a senior role but a step up with a few more responsibilities.

What is your experience of this, were you successful? Any tips, or stay clear?

Also, I ask because men tend to do this and are more likely to go for roles where they hugely do not fit the criteria, and then seem to get the role (even though they may be shit at it I know we've all met a few guys in our workplaces who did this lol), however, women are less likely to even apply for a role where they don't fit ALL the criteria, so also interested to see the responses.

I would quite like to go for it

The job I’m currently doing I applied for despite not meeting all the criteria. Internal move (as all jobs where I work are). I reached out to the hiring manager before applying to gauge whether it was worth it, she was very encouraging and even arranged for me to sit in on a day long training course so I at least had some knowledge in one of the areas I completely lacked. It was a good move for me, been here about 18 months now.

@Coldilox

The job I’m currently doing I applied for despite not meeting all the criteria. Internal move (as all jobs where I work are). I reached out to the hiring manager before applying to gauge whether it was worth it, she was very encouraging and even arranged for me to sit in on a day long training course so I at least had some knowledge in one of the areas I completely lacked. It was a good move for me, been here about 18 months now.

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. It's an internal role for me too :) I was actually thinking about reaching out to the manager and asking the same thing but wasn't sure if it was a good idea or how to word it properly without giving my cards away so to speak haha.

May I ask what you wrote to the manager?

Yes, absolutely. Not fundamentals of course, i.e. I wouldn't apply for a job as a surgeon or a police sergeant given I work in HR but if I don't meet one or two points on the person specification but am confident I can do the job then of course I do. I know full well from working in HR that a lot of time hiring managers don't give a huge amount of thought to what they put on the advert or person spec anyway, it's often a copy and paste job or based off something generic HR sent them so there's no point worrying too much about minor points. The thing to remember is that even if you aren't the best candidate for the job or you don't even make the shortlist, this is not something to be ashamed off or embarrassed about (I have encountered both women and men who are hugely anxious about applying for any job they aren't guaranteed to get which is quite limiting IMO, those who put themselves out there a bit more and take chances do seem to get on better although like you say sometimes this means people getting jobs they aren't actually very good at!). But anyway you won't be wasting anyone's time except maybe your own time filling in the form if you choose to apply so what have you got to lose?

As a hiring manager I'm never annoyed that someone has chosen to apply for my job (except for the few weird chancers that do decide to apply for a job as a neurosurgeon when they are currently a train driver or vice versa, but even then you have a quick giggle and put the application straight in the bin) - I would be more annoyed if a really good candidate chose not to apply without even talking to me first - I would suggest having a conversation rather than writing/emailling and simply chat about what they are looking for in an ideal candidate, what are the essential criteria they'll be applying etc and if they then don't mention the thing you don't have I'd take it as read that that isn't that important. You can also have a think about how you can cover the 'gaps' in other ways, e.g. if it's an experience based thing like line management experience how you can demonstrate the skills and aptitudes needed for a manager in other ways, if it's a qualification how you can demonstrate the required knowledge in others ways and whether you would be willing/able to gain the qualification if needed?

These days I just want a nice easy life, having left all ambition behind, thanks (with regards to the day job, that is), but back in the day when I did aspire to leadership/more senior roles, some of the best advice I was given was by a specialist recruiter in my field (information management related, they had a reputation for being the best of the recruitment agencies around then as they genuinely made an effort to get to know you).

They pointed out that if you were asked about your lack of experience in particular aspects of a job, you could say that one of the reasons you were applying was to develop in this area, as it had always been of interest to you, etc, etc. And it wouldn't stretch you if you were in a job where you already knew how to do everything already...

And definitely have a chat with the hiring manager if you can - it shows you're genuinely interested. And unless it's a new role, if you can find out more about why the job has come about (retirement, downsizing, expanding department etc) and the staff turnover in the department, that can also be helpful.

(I don't think men bother about not having the skills or experience they need - just look at our current crop of political and business "leaders" if you need any examples!!)

Good luck with the application!

I've done this, in my last 3 jobs actually. Something I have found helpful - even just as prep - is to think about how you will address the gaps if you are successful. I think it's much more powerful, if asked, to actually acknowledge what you don't know - discuss the transferrable skills, but also how you would acquire the relevant knowledge in the role. I don't mean lead with your weaknesses of course!

I like this when I'm interviewing people too. I think it demonstrates self awareness.

@maxelly

Yes, absolutely. Not fundamentals of course, i.e. I wouldn't apply for a job as a surgeon or a police sergeant given I work in HR but if I don't meet one or two points on the person specification but am confident I can do the job then of course I do. I know full well from working in HR that a lot of time hiring managers don't give a huge amount of thought to what they put on the advert or person spec anyway, it's often a copy and paste job or based off something generic HR sent them so there's no point worrying too much about minor points. The thing to remember is that even if you aren't the best candidate for the job or you don't even make the shortlist, this is not something to be ashamed off or embarrassed about (I have encountered both women and men who are hugely anxious about applying for any job they aren't guaranteed to get which is quite limiting IMO, those who put themselves out there a bit more and take chances do seem to get on better although like you say sometimes this means people getting jobs they aren't actually very good at!). But anyway you won't be wasting anyone's time except maybe your own time filling in the form if you choose to apply so what have you got to lose?

As a hiring manager I'm never annoyed that someone has chosen to apply for my job (except for the few weird chancers that do decide to apply for a job as a neurosurgeon when they are currently a train driver or vice versa, but even then you have a quick giggle and put the application straight in the bin) - I would be more annoyed if a really good candidate chose not to apply without even talking to me first - I would suggest having a conversation rather than writing/emailling and simply chat about what they are looking for in an ideal candidate, what are the essential criteria they'll be applying etc and if they then don't mention the thing you don't have I'd take it as read that that isn't that important. You can also have a think about how you can cover the 'gaps' in other ways, e.g. if it's an experience based thing like line management experience how you can demonstrate the skills and aptitudes needed for a manager in other ways, if it's a qualification how you can demonstrate the required knowledge in others ways and whether you would be willing/able to gain the qualification if needed?

Hey lovely, this is really useful. Thank you 🤎

Yes I've applied for jobs where I don't meet 4/7 "mandatory" requirements and still got it.

Absolutely go for it. Just think - you have nothing to lose so you might as well try. If you don't get the job then you're in the exact same position you'd be in if you didn't apply at all.

When I interview people I look for fundamental understandings that can transfer over to the role and a good eager personality. Other things can be learnt.

@Sbbhnfc

These days I just want a nice easy life, having left all ambition behind, thanks (with regards to the day job, that is), but back in the day when I did aspire to leadership/more senior roles, some of the best advice I was given was by a specialist recruiter in my field (information management related, they had a reputation for being the best of the recruitment agencies around then as they genuinely made an effort to get to know you).

They pointed out that if you were asked about your lack of experience in particular aspects of a job, you could say that one of the reasons you were applying was to develop in this area, as it had always been of interest to you, etc, etc. And it wouldn't stretch you if you were in a job where you already knew how to do everything already...

And definitely have a chat with the hiring manager if you can - it shows you're genuinely interested. And unless it's a new role, if you can find out more about why the job has come about (retirement, downsizing, expanding department etc) and the staff turnover in the department, that can also be helpful.

(I don't think men bother about not having the skills or experience they need - just look at our current crop of political and business "leaders" if you need any examples!!)

Good luck with the application!

This is really useful, thank you so much !

I have and I would.

Worst thing that could happen is your application is rejected without you even getting an interview - but at least they saw it!

When I’m lacking in certain areas I make sure I pick out some of the key words from the job spec and mirror them in my CV so those look most impressive.

Good luck!

I have been, and I've been getting interviews. I'm waiting to hear back from them and have been asked to go back to one tomorrow.

I just say I've got experience in abc, my skills are transferable because xyz and I'm able to pick things up very quickly and just learn stuff myself, I'm proactive and have good initiative etc.

I have been, and I've been getting interviews. I'm waiting to hear back from them and have been asked to go back to one tomorrow.

I just say I've got experience in abc, my skills are transferable because xyz and I'm able to pick things up very quickly and just learn stuff myself, I'm proactive and have good initiative etc.

Oh do apply.

I've just got a senior role in a really exciting organisation, switching sectors, with a whole slew of gaps which I didn't try to hide. They've hired me for my transferable skills, relevant experience in the bits I have and strong alignment with the organisation. Just make your covering the statement really compelling. Good luck!

Hi everyone

Thanks for your responses, they've all been helpful and really encouraging.

I've emailed the hiring manager, and I'll be getting started on my personal statement real soon so I can shine!