Applying for a job that I'm not REALLY qualified for...or maybe I am.....

[Lafaminute]

Hotel Receptionist. I've been a sahm for 10 years. Prior to that I did work as a receptionist as a student (20 years ago), I worked in offices as my job pre kids and then set up and ran a business with dh - always dealing with the public. Thing is, I know the staff and owner of this hotel so would it be really awkward for them saying "you must be joking" or am I over-thinking it. I did apply for a similar-ish job (state run) a year ago and was laughed out of the place . I think I'm well presented and good with people but is that enough??? The job spec says experience (w/particular programmes) helpful but not essential.......WWYD???

If you know the owner of the hotel can't you just have an informal chat to see what he thinks? Tell him that, while you know you haven't got experience in this particular job, you've got XY and Z and tell him why you think you'd be good at this.

If that's not an option, you've got nothing to lose by applying, but I'd probably be prepared for rejection as there are probably a lot of people who have got relevant qualifications. Good luck!

If you know the owner, agree with what pp said- have an informal chat about it. Could you suggest/ask if you could shadow for a week or two - they get "free help", you get much more - an intro to the computer system, idea of what the job is, they can see if you could do it and potentially give you a recent reference if not a job.

Try breaking the job into its constituent parts and tick off what you can do and blag your way through what you can't. Then at least you can present it with some structure at the interview.