I've got an interview even though I don't meet the essential criteria

[Leakygutter]

The first thing on the essential list was a qualification I don't have. I have other completely different qualifications at the same and higher levels and I have some lower qualifications in this subject, but not the one they said was essential.

I do tick every one of the other criteria and can give good, genuine examples .

So, does being offered an interview mean they've decided the qualification isn't as important as they said or will I get to the end of the process only to be told I don't meet the criteria?

If it makes a difference, the first stage interviews are being done by a recruitment company.

I think I can do well at the interview if I prepare well but obviously I can't magic up a qualification I don't have.

Call and ask them, depends on the qualification really!

Does it say or equivalent experience?
That's what our apps at work say

No it says this one qualification is essential.

It's not something statutory, but it is a common requirement in the field, which is slightly different (although related) to the one I'm in now.

OP it all depends, contact them and ask. HR may have made an admin error or it could be an equivalent or it is mandatory ie. Nursing bands so zero wiggle room and essential means precisely that.

So I call them and say "are you sure you meant to interview me?"?

Well probably don’t word it negatively but yes, if you are going to worry about it, take some positive action and give them a quick call. It may turn out that your similar qualification is acceptable and their stated requirement in the job spec was to deter applicants who were nowhere near qualified. Call to check and put your mind at rest. Good luck x

So you applied for a job knowing you didn't have an essential qualification? Brave!

That aside, perhaps no applicants did?

I would say if they have decided to interview you (assuming all your qualifications are listed on your CV) they have decided to take a punt on you and experience can make up for the lack of qualification, unless it’s something like a doctor or lawyer of course.

Why brave? I just sent my CV in response to an advert. Surely most jobs you apply for there'll be one or two criteria you don't meet? Admittedly they're usually the softer ones.

The money is pretty good, but at the bottom end of what jobs asking for this particular qualification usually offer, so I thought there might be a possibility they wouldn't get a strong field of qualified candidates.

Most men apply for jobs when they only fulfill something like 50% of the ESSENTIAL requirements you may be the best candidate that has applied!

They want to interview you, just go with it.

I actually know for a fact that data show women only tend to apply for jobs when they mean every single essential criteria while men apply even if they don’t. This is at least true from my experience (healthcare consultancy and academia), and now I believe not meeting all of the essential criteria isn’t always a deal breaker. I think this might be the case for you and I hope your interview goes well!

Sorry I meant to say I know this for a fact from reading statistics and reports but also I believe this as I’ve seen this eg by reviewing applications myself!

They wouldn't waste time interviewing you if they didn't think you were in with a shot. Perhaps your other examples and experience makes up for it.
For gods sake don't call them and talk them out of interviewing you!

You applied and we're shortlisted for interview therefore you deserve to be there.

I’d call and ask if they’re expecting you to do the qualification whilst working there or if they’re happy you don’t have it.

When we recruit at my work, we score the anonymised applications with 3 points if they entirely meet an essential criteria, 2 for nearly, 1 for a bit and 0 for none. Desirable criteria are scored from 0-1. Then we add up the points and interview the top few. Perhaps that's how it has worked and so you've beaten other candidates despite not having that criteria ticked off. It's a job seeker's market still. Good luck!

Depends on the actual job OP, only you know what the industry regulations would stipulate, what's negotiable and what's not.

I must have missed that memo. I often apply for a job where I feel I'm mostly a good fit, but don't meet all the criteria. I usually get an interview and have only ever done two interviews where I wasn't offered the job. But I've never not had the qualification.

@RandomMess is right about men women; I see this all day every day. Either the recruiters are low on candidates with the qualification concerned and trying to up their odds of filling the post OR the qualification is not as important as your relevant experience. No one books interviews for a nice day out- you’re invited because they think you meet the criteria and can do the job. They might lowball any offer by trying to say the qualification isn’t there but hold firm. It’s a candidate’s market. Good luck!

There's nothing regulatory about the requirement and the same role doesn't always ask for it, but they would usually be smaller organisations and less well paid.

The men/women thing is interesting because whilst the role is probably one done by more men than women, the organisation will appeal more to women...

I've been offered a role before without an essential qualification. I said I would be willing to work towards it and had lots of relevant experience. They were obviously able to overlook the qualification as I was strongest applicant. Don't draw too much attention to it and good luck for the interview.

Go to the interview, often we will list an essential qualification but then see that someone has great experience that would be of benefit. If the qualification is really important then we'll ask if they're will to do it if we partially or fully fund it.

@Leakygutter If you are confident that you can do the actual job, and provided the qualification is not needed for reasons that are regulatory, safety, critical to organisational reputation, etc., I would go ahead and do the interview without checking in with an "are you sure you want me?" message.

Worst case, they will rule you out due to lacking the qualification, and you will lose a bit of time.

But if you go in well-prepared and interview well, there is a decent chance the recruiter will want to put you in front of the actual employer along whatever other candidates they have, and leave it up to the employer to decide whether they would rather have that qualification or have you.

If you then get that chance to convince them directly that you would do the job well and would be a good fit for the organisation, then there is a better than even chance that the job will be yours.

That’s really interesting re: how men apply vs women. I’m currently job seeking and literally discounted all the jobs I’ve seen as I don’t have all the essential criteria! I worry that if I did somehow get a job without meeting all the essentials then I wouldn’t be able to do it if that makes sense? Thanks OP, you’ve inspired me

The man/woman thing definitely rings true for when I've recruited people. In generally men apply with far less experience than women and are also more likely to big up what experience they have.