Should I apply for a role when I meet most requirements? It's a big step up and I'm panicking!

[SSHandWC]

A friend mentioned to me that her workplace is looking to expand the department that I would like to specialise in, and she works for a really good company so she referred me to the hiring manager as part of their referral scheme.

I've just got an email from the hiring manager with the full role profile asking me to reply with how my skills and experience align and I'm nervous!

I've done about 90% of the main responsibilities before, though in a company of around half the number of employees but the remaining 10% I have never done before.

I've been told by previous managers that I don't promote myself enough and I do suffer from imposter syndrome.
I think I could learn the 10% on the job as there are very clear guidelines on what to do, and the rest I think I could do even though it would be a massive scale up and challenge.

Do I go for it? I wouldn't lie, but would learn as much as I could about the 10% which is regulatory reporting...

My hands are shaking and I feel torn between racing for the laptop and start writing back to the email or just forgetting about it.
I'm not very happy in my current job but the people are nice, though there is no progression at all.
WWYD?

Go for it - what’s the worst that could happen? You apply and don’t get the job? Not a big deal - but you may well get it!

We all have to take leaps in our careers otherwise literally everyone would still be stuck in their entry level job. And of course as the old saying goes, what would a man do in this situation? Back yourself and apply!

Sounds like a good chance for growth - go for it!

Meeting most requirements is fine. Don’t sell yourself short by emphasising the ones you don’t have! Big up where you DO match. And good luck!

Yes, go for it and good luck. Stats show men apply for rules when they fulfil fewer criteria than women and that's one reason they progress more.

Yes, 100% apply! Many new jobs will be a step up or will require you to learn new tasks and skills. I remember reading that men generally tend to apply for roles where they don’t meet the eligibility requirements and women will often hold back. It sounds like you are qualified anyway and can learn the extra bits once/if you get the job. Good luck!

Just apply! If you think you would enjoy it, don't deprived yourself of an opportunity. Just answer honestly about the experience you have, and then acknowledge any gaps by saying you're interested in developing your skills in that area and you're confident in your ability to do so
Good luck!

100% go for it - good luck!

If you were a man you’d be confidently applying if you met 40% of the criteria. There’s no point in applying for a job where you can already do 100% because there’d be no learning in it for you. If you already have 90% of the knowledge they’d be lucky to get you. 100% go for it!

Another one coming to say that if you were a mediocre white man you wouldn’t think twice about applying! Definitely do it!

this

Absolutely apply! I applied for a role at the beginning of the year way above where I sit now. I was amazed to get an interview and although I did not get the role the experience of interviewing at that level really boosted my confidence and also made me think about where I wanted my career to go. It ultimately was not the job for me as the parts I did not have experience on I realised I do not enjoy but it was a great experience and I do not regret going for it. Better to try and fail than not try at all.

Go for it! You have nothing to lose & everything to gain

Apply! Use that job spec to first list all of your skills and experiences and enjoy seeing what you have learned and done over the last few years.

Don't panic over what you haven't done. If you ticked every box it would suggest that you would be overqualified! You are good at what you do, keen to learn and you aren't overconfident/full of yourself. That's a great combination for a new employee.

Thanks all, yes the phrase about mediocre men did spring to mind. My friend has said just now that the department is expanding massively as having a dedicated team for the function is fairly new and the thinks the actual role may flex a bit as the whole thing settles in and gets established.

Laptop firing up now, you're all right what have I got to lose?

Should I not mention at all that I haven't done the regulatory reporting before do you think and wait to see if I'm asked?

I've been reading the job spec over and over and I really do think I could do the job, it would be a massive learning curve but I think I'm capable!

Go for it!

as everyone else has said a guy would go for it only hitting 40% of it.

Be clear in your email where you align, draw on transferable skills for any gaps. Highlight your enthusiasm to learn etc.

You can absolutely do this.

This is why men still get promotions when they have less ability than a woman. Believe in yourself, youve done 90% of the job before!!

The answer is bloody obvious lol.

Right I've got a draft email on my screen that gives specific work I have done that matches the core competencies. I've also included something that I've done that isn't in the job role but that would be highly beneficial to the company. I haven't mentioned what I haven't done at all.

I'm pressing send, will let you know what comes back. 🤞

Yes, go for it. I was once an assistant manager and when the manager left I didn't have the confidence to apply, because she was so good at the role and she was a strong personality. They brought in someone much less forceful who did it very differently and I realised I could've done it better than the new person in my own way.

Go for it OP and good luck.

We could've done without all of the predictable "if it were a man" rubbish. When I worked in recruitment there were as many woman applying for stuff with BS applications as there were men.

Sounds perfect OP.

If your hands are shaking at the thought alone then how will you be able to manage if you actually get the job?

Well done OP! When you get an interview, I highly recommend the Interview Boss podcast to help you prepare. Its brilliant

My basic stance is that if you're not terrified for at least 3 months after starting a new job, you could have applied for a more difficult job. (Whether or not you want to is a different question!). So I'm glad you've applied OP, good luck!

I did a training course recently that said something like men will apply for jobs if they meet 50% of the criteria, women when they meet 90%.
Give it a go, you haven’t got anything to lose.

Have been asked to come in for a chat with the hiring manager on the 29th! Will be reading anything I can get my hands on to prep in the next 2 weeks! Any tips? It's been about 15 years since I had a proper structured interview.