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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

62 replies

LlamaFace19 · 20/03/2023 14:36

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

OP posts:
Tabitha2721 · 21/03/2023 00:27

Speaking as someone who’s currently recruiting, I can confirm the criteria is often “made up” so you can force the job description to match the grading you know you need for the role in order to get a good candidate. Worst they can do is say no.. go for it!

AliceOlive · 21/03/2023 00:30

Glad you are going to go for it!! And hope you get it.

Murdoch1949 · 21/03/2023 03:19

Refer to the lack of MSc in your letter of application to back up your CV, explaining why it is irrelevant due to your experience etc. You've nothing to lose.

Doone21 · 21/03/2023 06:23

Definitely apply. If they agree you're a good fit they'll interview you. If they interview you don't mention your gap unless they do as its 99.9% unlikely to be critical. If its critical they'll bring it up in the interview and you can be prepared with a response. I was in same situation and I've gone for jobs I wasn't qualified for and then got the job because they decided my other skills outweighed the one missing. Job specs are always flexible.

Ladybug14 · 21/03/2023 06:27

Masters Schmarsters ..... apply FlowersFlowersFlowersFlowers

Whyamiherenow · 21/03/2023 06:34

You should apply for the role. They know your qualifications from your cv and they clearly think you will be a good fit. A lot of roles look for qualifications or equivalent experience. It sounds like you have the experience. In my experience as a person who recruits - experience often outweighs bits of paper!

I also do a job for which on paper I’m technically not qualified! Don’t let it stop you applying!

hope it goes well for you !

Feuillemille23 · 21/03/2023 06:39

Unless it's with the civil service, where these days you seem to have to not only meet or exceed every criterion perfectly and then parrot every behaviour they want word for word in the application form and interview (whatever garbage they spout officially about wanting people from different backgrounds), you've got nothing to lose. Best of luck!

sweetheartyparty · 21/03/2023 06:52

Almost all of jobs I have applied for specify this. I never went to university but I do have an accountancy qualification and tonnes of experience.

It has never been mentioned in interviews and if it has held me back, I haven't noticed it. If you get an interview, then the company has already decided that you have potential. Absolutely go for it

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 21/03/2023 06:58

Definitely just go for it. I work in a traditionally male dominated industry that usually requires a BSc qualification. I studied Art at uni to HND level. I worked my way up from the bottom and have been in the industry for over 20 years now. I’ve got jobs that even say they need a BSc in that field from a “red brick uni” which mine wasn’t. It actually makes a good talking point in the interview as to why I changed career paths all those years ago. If they feel you have potential then unless it’s something that is a regulated qualification then they may overlook it if they feel you would be a good fit in the company/team.

Cupcakes19 · 21/03/2023 07:03

Go for it! Good luck!

Ohhlavache · 21/03/2023 07:07

Go for it! I've been made redundant too and we have nothing to apply for. Our job market here is dead. 😔

However, the local authority 200 miles away have emailed me to say they think I'm a great fit for the role and could do it remotely if I'm successful.

I'm a project manager with marketing experience etc.

It's a bit scary only having one job on the cards!!

Jeremy Hunt must have been counting all the fake self employed job vacancies on LinkedIn his job vacancy statement 🤐

Justalittlebitduckling · 21/03/2023 07:18

Go for it. All you’ve got to lose is a bit of time.

Brefugee · 21/03/2023 07:31

Refer to the lack of MSc in your letter of application to back up your CV,

I've never done that when applying for jobs - i just tell them about my experience, that IMO i'm a good fit for the role and they can contact me at any time if they have questions etc. They can read the CV and see there's no masters there.

Maedan · 21/03/2023 07:34

Talk to them, the agency seem willing to put you forward and they know you don't have it. I've recruited thousands of people and experience is just as valid as academics. Just because you don't have a masters doesn't mean you don't have the knowledge/skills required. If it was an absolute no the agency would know and wouldn't have put it to you. My current role asked for a qualification I don't have, still got the job 🤷 you don't get if you don't ask. Good luck 🤞

SRS29 · 21/03/2023 07:47

OP please go for it.....and good luck!

Obbydoo · 21/03/2023 08:15

Call the company and ask them. Sometimes it is just an 'ideal' but sometimes it's a dealbreaker and you'll be wasting your time.

emmetgirl · 21/03/2023 08:18

Yes you should! The worst thing that could happen is that you don't get the job.

NineToFiveish · 21/03/2023 08:19

Submitting a CV isn't much of a time waster unless it's one of those tedious workday sites. Even then it's worth a punt imo!

I'm just talking myself round to do the same, OP. I have experience in every aspect required in a job spec apart from one, so I'm constantly reminding myself of the male vs female stats in job hunting. I have at least 80% of what they want, and can easily upskill the rest on the job. We just need to remain confident and give it a go!

Brefugee · 21/03/2023 08:22

go for it, ,@NineToFiveish

Lily999888 · 21/03/2023 08:32

Pinkdelight3 · 20/03/2023 14:39

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!

Completely agree with this! Apply for it and let them decide. If you don’t give it a go then you definitely won’t get it!

StripyHorse · 21/03/2023 08:34

Unless the qualification was obviously essential (doctor etc) then YANBU.

The worst that happens is they see your CV and put it in the 'no' pile. In which case you are no worse off than now (except your time and effort).

Go for it, and good luck.

Grumpsy · 21/03/2023 08:44

Apply.

I’ve just got a job where I met 80-90% of the criteria, and will be starting the role shortly. Job specs are wish lists not set in stone.

also good luck.

ActDottie · 21/03/2023 08:53

I would apply for sure. It’s not like you’re applying for the role of a doctor or accountant which needs a specific qualification. From what you’ve said it doesn’t sound like the job needs a masters degree so I’d just go ahead and apply.

MajorCarolDanvers · 21/03/2023 08:55

Absolutely apply for it.

Often degree requirements are slipped into jds with little or no thought. Mostly when the recruiting manager then reads applications they pick the people with the best experience for the role

You wont get through if there is an HR person in between who is a stickler for the essentials.

But its worth a go.

Clarinet1 · 21/03/2023 09:18

I think it’s worth applying. You’ll be no worse off of you don’t get it but you might be successful! One thing occurs to me though - given that it was the agency who suggested the job to you, why not talk to them about how to play the Master’s issue?