Why DO people apply for jobs even though they don't have the necessary qualifications or experience?

[Ceebee74]

It is so bloody frustrating. Am currently sat here shortlisting 500 applications for a job. It was clearly outlined in the advert what qualifications and experience are required - so why have at least 50% of the candidates not got what wa asked for but still applied!

Just a quick rant as I am just wasting time going through their forms!!

Oyy stop beating up the OP. She's just frustrated!

Go here instead and read the other end of the job line

My DH and I both left stonkingly well paid jobs to do lowly paid ones - you do your time, you get out, you stay sane. DH doesn't have lots of qualifications, he did the working his way up route, I do and I did a bit of that but basically walked into a very nice job and kept jumping to even nicer jobs (I was a lucky cow and acknowledge that).

So sometimes the brain drain works the other way too!

Oh and I hired four local people this year and we have a policy of always looking locally first. People are more loyal if they don't have to commute 40 miles every morning for some strange reason - possibly to do with the unqualified train drivers insisting on taking the M40 into Victoria

Oh and CB, I do hope that isn't the job I've just applied for .

Seriously though, this does annoy me actually. I'm well aware that there are many jobs where the qualifications are absolutely necessary. But I get really irritated by, for example, low paid retail jobs where you absolutely must have experience. Why? Why can't the company be bothered to invest a couple of days in training someone up? It's better to start from scratch anyway rather than having to learn a different system from what you're used to. I think in many cases it is pure laziness and lack of vision on the part of the employer.

Yes that makes me larf

"Retail experience would be helpful"

No it won't, it'll just mean you'll get bored sooner.

You know that bit in Pride and Prejudice where Charlotte Lucas says it's best not to know too much about your husband before you marry him... well, lots of jobs are the same imo. Because most employees are at the same stage of job choice, as poor old Charlotte Lucas was in terms of husband choice and are just as likely to have to do a lot of grinning and bearing it over the time of their servitude. Best not to know too much about what you're letting yourself in for.

Love the P&P analogy. But there is no way I would want to end up with the oily Revd. Collins as my 'job'. Better see about getting some qualifications, then...

Yep,. I second saying lay off the OP

If she's anything like me, the only time she's recruiting is because she's had someone leave. In that situation I'm desparate to replace as quickly as possible and because we're a person down, I already have extra work to do, so don't have the time to go through umpteen job applications.

Nno-one's attacking the OP, I totally understand her point - have also had my share of useless applications, though none of them as amusing as "I don't actually have a medical degree, but I do watch Casualty on a regular basis so obviously am qualified to do this job".

ROFL at the thought that it's not just x-factor contestants with unrealistic expectations...

Why not?

It's free.

FWIW I now own a recording studio and I see some really corking examples of 'delusions of competence'

X factor out-takes have nothing on some of the 'talent' I've seen.

Who/bouncing - thanks for defending me in my absence

Just to clarify (although I am not sure why I am justifying this) - the position involves an intense 3 month training course (which is funded by ourselves - with constant studying/exams) and also extremely high interpersonal/caring skills - without a good educational background/caring nature, people would be unable to complete the training/be out of their depth on the job - so we would risk wasting money and a place on the course by employing people who did not have a proven educational/caring background - so there

I also found, when I applied through agencies, that they sent me for ANY job that came through that was vaguely related to what I wanted to do (quite often a job that required more experience on the off chance that I'd get it - presumably, they get a better cut!).

And they'd sell it to me as something completely different so I'd often only find out the exact job spec once I'd arrived at the interview!

Frustrating, yes I'm sure it is at times, but at least those time wasters keep you in employment

Agree with FIS' experience. And I think if you are receiving benefits you have to be seen to be applying for anything remotely suitable in order to keep those benefits.