Should I apply for a job where I don't meet the key qualities?

[user1471867483]

It's a job for a PA and I quite like the sound of it. However, the ad says, "The ideal candidate is assertive and confident" - (qualities I don't possess). I'm shy and introvert, but a fantastic hard worker.

Depends, what do you need to be assertive and confident for? What part of the role specifically? No point lying and then being unable to run a meeting for example.

Could you even manage to come across and confident in the interview? It's certainly something you could lie about in an application but it's the next part where you could come a cropper.

I guess it's the kind of thing they may ask for an example of as part of the interview process.
Making huge assumptions on the role here, but I would guess they're looking for someone who is confident to make arrangements/refuse requests from other staff without needing to loop the more senior person you're PA to every time (but also knowing when they should be involved).

I imagine you'd struggle with the job if you got it.

Maybe it's not for me. I'm used to the environment, but as for confidence and assertive I'm like wallflower.

This is what it says:

Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment are essential. The PA liaises effectively and works confidently both independently and as part of a diverse team.
Key qualities include confidence, credibility, and the ability to inspire trust, alongside a commitment to continuous personal development. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, innovative, detail-oriented, assertive, and reliable, with a friendly personality and a smart, professional appearance.

Normally I'd say go for it, but this is a role where you are a gate keeper to powerful person. People will want to get to them and you will have to push back. You will also need confidence in dealing with powerful person as you will need to organise them and sometimes question them and stand up to them.

Brilliant! I'll forget it then.

No, go for it! They always put that kind of stuff in PA ads. I’ve been a PA / EA for years and am a shy introvert. If you’re working for someone senior you get some of their reflected leverage anyway.

I saw an ad recently I considered going for which had ‘no-one has ever said you are not talkative enough.’ Loads of people have said I’m quiet, I don’t care, I speak when it’s important. I would have gone for the role regardless if I was seriously looking at the moment, because I think it was just a bit of a daft ‘requirement’.

If you were male and you liked the sound of it, would you apply?

Don't rule yourself out at interview stage. I'm sure you are organised and efficient. The rest is just HR bollox

I was going to say this.

OP, don't undersell yourself. If you have all the other skills required, apply for the job. You never know, it could be a perfect fit. It all depends on individual personalities.

I wish you the best of luck!

I’d go for it too, it’s only an application you’re not committing to anything!

Thanks so much, everyone. I'll give it a go then. So encouraging 😍

Just fake it till you make it, good acting skills is all you need! Once you've got the job it won't matter anyway.

Go for it! You are more than capable and confidence doesn't always have to be expressed in extravert ways

What job do you do now? Do you have any experience or transferable skills?

it's unlikely you will get an interview otherwise.

I was a PA and I'm as shy and introverted as they come. I had to deal with workers building houses (rude jokes and swearing), and high level management (need it now, get it done types). I used smiles, humour and biscuits and people loved me for it. It's not always done the way the person writing the job description thinks it is!! Don't reject yourself. Apply and see what happens!!

OP, the person description you’ve posted looks like pretty much every description posted for nearly every job in existence. It’s a pretty generic wish list of attributes.

In reality we’re all human and no one’s perfect. There’s always going to be some attributes you excel at, some you’re okay at, and others that are trickier for you.

Someone else applying might be great in terms of confidence and assertiveness, but absolutely rubbish in other ways, eg they could be disorganised and have poor writing skills.

If I were you I’d apply for it, and if you get an interview try and get a sense from that as to how much ‘confidence and assertiveness’ is really crucial.

Shy and introvert doesn't preclude assertive and confident.

I've applied! Thank you all so much 💐

I feel bad for being negative! I didn't mean to be, and was referring to my own experience of working for an absolute beast of a woman who completely bullied me and I wasn't assertive enough to stand up to and it made me ill. It has made me wary of such positions, but obviously I wish you all the best! Her next PA was an equal beast who managed to whip her into shape, so I do think personality traits do come into it. If you do get an interview pay close attention to who you will be working for.

I was on a women in leadership course recently and they said something like women rarely apply when don’t meet the full criteria but men always do. So go for it

Make sure if you get an interview that you remember it is a two way process. If you meet who you are going to be working for and they come across in any way bullying or over bearing and you don’t think you will be able to stand up to them, then for the sake of your health, decline it!

Yes, I will. I agree with you it's a two way street. I've only applied because it's part-time! Don't know why they have to be so nasty anyway. They're lucky to have us.

I hope you get it and that you don't find it too stressful. Keep us posted!

I find it sad when talented and skilled women limit themselves due to lack of confidence. FYI it is possible to learn to be assertive (just like it is possible to learn management skills), there are training and courses, that can be paid by your company. If not you can consider paying yourself for a assertiveness coach, I would say it's a good investment as assertiveness is important for many careers.
I recommend the book "civilized assertiveness for women" by Judith Sleep McClure