To apply for a job I'm not qualified for?

[LlamaFace19]

Hi all. I was sadly made redundant in February and have been job hunting ever since. I recently applied for a job that I have experience in and that I was well qualified for via a recruitment agency, and today received an email saying they have another job with the same company that they think I would also be a good fit for. I check the job out and it sounds good, is similar to jobs I have done previously and I fit 90% of the person specification... Apart from qualifications.

They are asking for a 'minimum Masters degree', which I don't have. I have a Bachelors. But I fit pretty much everything else they're looking for, really like the sound of the job, and again it's in a sector I have experience in. I'm very tempted to apply but part of me is saying there is no point as I don't fit one of the essential criteria? Also, I'm worried that if I do get the job I won't be able to do it as I don't have all of the required knowledge!

Should I just bite the bullet and do it?

YABU - Don't apply, there's no point
YANBU - Do it

I would and maybe say somewhere that you would be willing to study for a masters. They might even support you to do it.

I would apply and wouldn't mention/draw attention to it. Men apply for things all the time when they don't fit all the criteria. Women tend not to and miss out. You've been asked to apply so don't come up with your own shortcomings. Go for it!

Jobs specs are wish lists.....no-one really ever meets the full list requirements! A masters is far overridden by experience. GO FOR IT!

YANBU

Men do this all the time.

There are studies showing men apply for jobs where they meet half the specification and women usually only apply if they meet the whole specification.

What would you lose by applying?

I saw something on here once that said men apply for jobs they're 50% qualified for, women won't apply unless they meet 95% of the requirements (numbers aren't accurate but it was huge difference) and ever since then I decided if I was to job search I'd employ the mens tactics and see how it goes. Go for it! The worse that can happen is you don't get it.

Given they e-mailed you saying the job would be a good fit for you, I'd say go for it! You've got nothing to lose!
As others have said, you could say you'd be willing to work towards the masters degree.

Do it. I used to be part of an equality panel at work, and they were always saying a main problem causing the gender pay gap is women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't meet all the job spec, which as a previous poster said, are just wish lists!

Doooo itttt! Otherwise someone less qualified than you will probably get it with no scrap of imposter syndrome!

go for it, men always overestimate their abilities and put themselves forward for jobs, women often hold themselves back for want of one or two qualifications the job asks for. ignore it and try, my daughter disregarded some criteria and got a very good job, it's often 'if the face fits'

Good luck

I'd say they've mentioned the masters to put off new graduates or no relevant experience people. You have a degree and experience in the field- often experience outweighs theoretical learning. Good luck!

definitely But cover it off in summary if it’s important you won’t get through paper sift

Yes of course apply. They've already said they think you are suitable, what more encouragement do you want? Totally different if it's a professional qualification you don't have, there's no point applying for a job as a doctor/nurse/solicitor/teacher if you're not one of those, but generic things like 'Masters degree' is usually one or all of (a) something put in there so the job grading system/HR agree to pay the market rate for the job (b) lazy filler from a copy and paste of a previous document (c) a general/vague indication of the level of experience and knowledge they want you to have, i.e. to imply it's not an entry level job. Very rarely does it actually matter that you don't have a MA in English Lit or whatever other masters level degree you might happen to have. Sometimes they do want you to have studied for appropriate professional/vocational qualifications that may come as part of a masters degree but that would usually be specified, e.g. must be a chartered accountant with CIMA accreditation or similar. And on the odd occasion where someone happens to be professionally very well experienced and capable but lacks the right bit of paper, most companies would accept a commitment towards getting that qualification in the next 3/6/12 months so it's no reason to not apply. But as others have said, if it just says 'masters degree' and nothing else and it's not a job you need any particular certification or qualification for normally (or you have the relevant certs already) I'd not even bother mentioning it. Either way, even if they reject you, it's hardly a huge disaster or humiliation is it, so just go for it...

Definitely throw in for it! Really draw out your experience in the application.

Absolutely go for it. Most job in my industry ask for a BSc as essential criteria. I have a BA, and worked my way to my role from admin roles. I won't let that stop me applying. Often it means the degree or similar experience too.

Yes of course! Do your research and prep for the inevitable interview. In fact I might even start looking at Masters, who knows, they might pay!

Thanks all! Looks like I'll be applying!

Yess!! Good luck OP!

do it - the jobs market is shifting right now although a lot of employers don't want to face up to that fact. Apply, and go as far as you can with the application.
good luck!

Definitely apply. Unless an 'essential' requirement is a genuine prerequisite for the role (eg being a qualified lawyer for a job as a solicitor) it's just a preference.

I have applied for several jobs that specifically required experience in certain areas (eg construction law/software law) that I didn't have, and have almost always got an interview at least. Go for it (and good luck!)

I saw this in alarm on a JD recently and found to my surprise that a rubbishy qualification I already had was actually Level 7 and therefore technically masters level - nothing lurking on your CV?

I do think there's been a phase of requiring ridiculous qualifications (undergraduate degree in business for accountants and administration staff) which is starting to fade away. (Good for me because I have an arts degree and would otherwise be unemployable despite 20 years experience!)

The job is for a chemical engineer and is asking for a Masters in chemistry. I have a Bachelors in chemistry but also years of industry experience (worked in labs and factories in both entry level and more senior roles, just not as an engineer). I think I'm just doubting my own experience and ability!

Definitely go for it. I didn't have the aged mic experience in the job spec for my job (although I've got it since) but I got the job because I had other experience.

Go for it. And have a look at the content of a typical chemistry masters and specifically mention the skills/ experience you have in tasks at that level.
Top tip- quantify wherever possible- x years experience completing y studies/ z tests involving…. And any research / studies you have or experience of techniques.

You're clearly a woman. We agonise over this stuff. The men just apply.

Go on, take a chance! :)

Men apply for jobs they aren't qualified all the time and get them. Do it.
After reading about men doing this, I ignored the fact I didn't have all the necessary qualifications for my last 2 jobs. It's meant I have got exactly where I want to be.
DO IT!!