Are you the infamous “underqualified” candidate? I mean, did the last few positions you thought about applying for require 5 years of experience and you only have 3? Or did it ask for a specific software that you are only sorta trained in? Maybe you are a fresh-out-of-college millennial professional, and no one will give you the break you need?

If so, then I wrote this for YOU! Before I give you all the reasons you are qualified for this position, let’s get a few things straight.

1. You are qualified!
2. No one perfectly matches the job description!
3. APPLY NOW, anyway!

Honestly you probably don’t stack up to the job posting qualifications. But let’s get this clear, many applicants probably don’t either. I wouldn’t be a good career coach if I didn’t tell you to shoot your shot!

Apply for every position you’d like to have, even if you don’t quite stack up. You might land your dream job anyway.

10 Ways to Landing a Job you are Underqualified for:

1. Directly Address how “unqualified” you are:

You want to address with the hiring manager in your application, resume, cover letter, and interview that you are underqualified but why they need to hire you anyways. Not only will you come off as a humble and honest candidate, but you will address any concerns they may have before they even ask them. This puts you in control of the conversation and gives you a chance to sell your qualifying skills and experience.

2. Address Transferrable Skills:

Before you apply or go to an interview, you want to make sure you have thoroughly researched the skills and traits the company is looking for. At every available moment you want to make a connection between yourself and those traits. If there are skills that you excel at, that are not directly in the job description, but are extremely relevant to the position – make sure you highlight those skills and why they will help you excel in the position at hand.

3. Highlight Transferrable Experience:

Just like with transferrable skills,experience that could be valuable in the position are important to highlight during the recruitment process.

4. Soft skills are extremely important:

Being perfect on paper is only a part of being “qualified” the other piece takes a bit more digging. Good hiring managers also consider soft skills like team work, creativity, leadership, work ethic, communication and initiative. If you show that you possess more of these skills, you can out shine even the most qualified candidate.

5. Leveraging Relationships:

Companies are willing to over look A LOT when you have a referral. Some companies will even extend curtesy interviews for a referral of a completely unqualified candidate. If you can get a referral from a current or previous employee, you can turn the tables in your favor. Likewise, you can build a new relationship with someone at the company by making a personal connection during the recruitment process.

6. Get inside knowledge:

Candidates who bring a unique insight or perspective of the company are impressive. If you can prove that you have spent time learning about the company and offer real insight, you are essentially showing the hiring manager what your mind can do. Imagine giving the company a solution to one of their problems – can you say instant offer letter?

7. Show high potential:

There are a lot of hiring managers who value hiring potential. They want a person they can train and mold into their perfect employee. That could be you. If you show that in the past that you were able to learn, adapt and apply yourself then you might appeal to this manager.

8. Lead with Passion:

There are two types of candidates – an excited one and a lukewarm one. I pick the passionate one every time. Candidates who have a strong reason for wanting the position seem like they will do a better job, because of that passion.

9. Obtaining Education or Credentials:

If you are not qualified in terms of years of experience or formal education, you always have the ability to learn more! You can take a class to learn the skill you’re missing or obtain a certification to show your level of competency in the area.

10. Volunteering & Internships:

You can use or obtain volunteering or internship opportunities to gain relevant experience. Typically these types of opportunities can be done in addition to your normal job, and give you the ability to learn and grow. When you’re done, you can highlight these experiences, which are just as good as work experience.

Confidence is key. Apply for the position even if you’re unqualified! So, there you have it, this is a comprehensive list of all the thing you can do when applying for a position you are underqualified for! Believe me when I say, unqualified people are offered positions every day for all or one of the reasons above.

Even if you are underqualified, apply anyways! You never know what might happen!

If you need a job search strategy because you are an “unqualified” candidate, I would love to work with you! Together we will create an action plan to help you land the perfect job, even if you feel unqualified!

Send Mercedes an email at [email protected] for more information.

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