Are you on a hunt for a new job or a new career? If you are, you will likely come across a number of job listings, some of which you may be qualified for and others that you may not necessarily be qualified for. When it comes to applying for a job, there are many job seekers who wonder if they should bother applying for a job that they are not really qualified for. To determine whether or not you should, you may want to examine the pros and cons of doing so.
When it comes to applying for a job that you may not necessarily be qualified for, the biggest pro of doing so is the unexpected. You would be surprised how many employers just schedule interviews without actually examining resumes first. This is most often done when an employee needs to be hired right away or when there weren’t a large number of applicants. When that is the case, your resume won’t necessarily do all of the talking for you, your personality will. There are thousands of instances each year where employers actually hire those that weren’t necessarily qualified for the job in question. The reasons why they were hired tend to vary, but many were just impressed with the applicant’s personality, goals, and need to succeed.
Another pro or plus side to applying for a job that you may not necessarily be qualified for is other opportunities, often from the same employer. It is not uncommon for an employer to be doing hiring for more than one position. Although you may not necessarily be qualified for the position that you applied for, the employer in question may have another position available; another position that you may be better suited for. If an employer likes your resume or your personality, if an interview was scheduled, you actually stand a good chance of getting hired, even if it is for a different position than the one that you originally applied for.
Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to applying for a job that you are not necessarily qualified for, there are also a number of cons or downsides to doing so as well. One of those cons is the impression that you may end up giving of yourself. Some employers easily get frustrated or fed up with those who apply for jobs that they aren’t qualified for. From the perspective of an employer, it is time consuming to sort through hundreds or thousands resumes or job applications, especially when a good portion of them are from those who aren’t even qualified for the available position.
When it comes to applying for a job that you aren’t qualified for, the decision as to whether or not you want to do so is yours to make, but it is advised that you use your best judgment. For instance, do not apply for a position as a teacher or a doctor if you don’t have the proper degree or required training. However, if you are interested in becoming a retail store manager and it is required that you have a business degree, you may want to think about applying for the job if you are currently working on your degree, even just part-time, or if you have the equal years work experience.
If you are able to land an interview, the question as to why you applied for a job that you aren’t qualified for may arise. When answering that question, you will want to spin it in a way that you will benefit you. For instance, respond with something like how you are always up for a challenge or go into detail about how you think you are qualified in other ways. One thing you will definitely not want to do is respond with “I was hoping that I would get lucky.” This is a surefire way to lose your chance of getting the job.
Resume Tips to Help You Land That Job
The applying stage of job hunting is perhaps the most important part. Many times, you are only required to send in a job application or submit your resume. Since your face and your personality will not originally be seen, you will need to let your resume to all of the work for you. That is why it is extremely important that your resume is professional looking. A few tips that you may want to keep in mind when making your resume are outlined below.
As a reminder, your resume is the first thing that an employer will see. If you apply for a job that you saw advertised online or in your local newspaper, there is a good chance that you will not be submitting your resume in person. Although it isn’t always fair, many employers categorize their applicants solely on their resumes. That is why it is extremely important that you thoroughly review your resume before turning it into hopeful employers. In most cases, the resume is what makes or breaks an applicant’s chance of getting the job that they were seeking.
Perhaps, the most important tip to remember, when creating a new resume for yourself or reviewing your current resume, is the appearance. Many people mistakenly believe that they stand the best chance if their resume stands out. Yes, you want your resume to stand out, but in a good way; a professional way. At all costs, you will want to try and avoid colored paper and flashy, hard to read print. As stated above, many employers categorize their applicants by their resumes. Having an unattractive, unprofessional resume is the quickest way to get your resume into that “don’t bother,” pile.
It is also advised that you tailor your resume to the job that you are applying to, or at least the industry that you are hoping to get into. For instance, if you are looking for a job in retail, your resume objective may want to mention “looking for a career in a faced paced retail environment,” or such. Tailoring your resume to each specific job will help to keep you one step above the competition. There are many hiring employers who wonder if their applicants even read through the job listing before applying. You do not want to be one of those applicants. Outlining the need for a job in the construction industry, while applying for a job in the retail industry is another quick way to get your resume into that “don’t bother,” pile.
Another tip that you will want to remember, when it comes to making a nice, professional resume, is length. Yes, you want to make sure that your resume includes as much information as it can, but you will want to make sure that it isn’t jam packed with information. If, at all possible, you are advised to keep your resume around one or two pages long. Be sure to include all applicable information, like your work history and your education. When outlining your previous work experience and your education, you want to include the basic information, just that. Anything else can further be discussed in an interview. Many employers hate reading long resumes, especially when the information isn’t always applicable.
The above mentioned tips should be able to help you create a professional resume; one that will be looked at. If you are not dropping your resume off in person, you will want to create a cover letter for yourself. A cover letter should be short and to the point. Outline the job that you are applying for, the experience that you have which makes you a good candidate, and ask the hiring employer to see your attached resume for additional information.
