Jobs
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
Thunderbox666 wrote:
barely meet 50% of the requirements.
That would give me cause for worry. Even if you manage to be selected for the position, would you feel comfortable knowing that it's unlikely you'll be able to perform as expected? /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
Thunderbox666 wrote:
I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements.
If you know this IT guy ask him why you were invited. In my business you rarely find an individual that meets all the "hope fors". But then we break down into requirements and desired. Rarely do you find anyone who even gets to 50% of the desired. How many people do you know that do 3D graphics but know gaming and simulation, have great mathematics and physics skills, understand quaternion math and physics, optics, energy distribution, are well versed in C/C++, have database, openGL, and experts in human computer interaction? not gonna happen... so you pick your best and train the rest (or attempt to). If you truly only meet 50% of the requirements and not just 50% of the desired traits, I would be worried. Ask why you were invited though. I went from accounting to engineering with my skills in AI, parallel programming, communication, and user interface work. I met few of the requirements with degree, but I could do all of them. I was invited to the position by one who knew me and my skills, they trusted his recommendation, and never regretted it.... although I started at low pay, low risk to my employer, and gained high raises as I met expectations. Starting at low pay was a bit difficult, though it was not less than I worked for in accounting.
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Thunderbox666 wrote:
barely meet 50% of the requirements.
That would give me cause for worry. Even if you manage to be selected for the position, would you feel comfortable knowing that it's unlikely you'll be able to perform as expected? /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
would you feel comfortable knowing that it's unlikely you'll be able to perform as expected?
It isnt exactly true that I wouldnt be able to perform all the tasks. Most of the ones I fail are things like needing cirtain certificates, and specific experience. Even though I dont have these certificates or that particular experience, the IT guys there have rang me several times to get me to help them with jobs, so I know I would be an asset to their company one way or another. However without meeting the essential requirements, I dont really have much chance of getting selected.
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
There's no harm in applying. It's up to them to vet out whether they want to go further. Remember that a solicitation is basically a sales pitch. You may be strong in certain areas that are most important and the others are nice to have. They'll figure out what's imporant. Also remember that there's usually a requirement or two listed that gives them an out for turning someone down. Day one need is what they're really after.
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
Apply if you can do the job even if you don't meet the requirements. If you can get an interview then you just have to sell yourself.
My Blog: http://cynicalclots.blogspot.com
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Thunderbox666 wrote:
barely meet 50% of the requirements.
That would give me cause for worry. Even if you manage to be selected for the position, would you feel comfortable knowing that it's unlikely you'll be able to perform as expected? /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
That does not follow at all. Stated requirements are often a way of reducing the number of applicants. Even when they aren't it doesn't follow that you would not be able to do the job. There has been research indicating that generic programming talent is a far better predictor of productivity than scorecard skills matches. However, from a practical point of view, employers are bound to advertise on specific skills in order to avoid having to interview 1000 applicants. In the current case if this guy actually knows the OP, has maybe worked with him in the past, then presumably he thinks he's capable of doing the work; otherwise why would he even approach him?
Kevin
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
It's not what you know, but who you know. I say apply, if you're on good terms with the IT guy you stand a better than average chance of getting the job and from there on in you can get your new employer to pay for any additional training you need to top up your skill set.
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
Thunderbox666 wrote:
Is there any harm in applying anyway?
If he's approached you then presumably he thinks you can do the job. Have you worked with him before?
Thunderbox666 wrote:
Is there any harm in applying anyway?
No.
Thunderbox666 wrote:
Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself?
Yes.
Thunderbox666 wrote:
And did it work out for you?
Yes. What can happen is that you are rejected for that particular role but that they spot something on your CV/Resume that could be useful for another role that's just about to be created - or your CV/Resume suggests to them another role they can create. This can happen when applying direct to an employer and also when applying via an agency. I have obtained at least two contracts in this way.
Kevin
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It's not what you know, but who you know. I say apply, if you're on good terms with the IT guy you stand a better than average chance of getting the job and from there on in you can get your new employer to pay for any additional training you need to top up your skill set.
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Thunderbox666 wrote:
I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements.
If you know this IT guy ask him why you were invited. In my business you rarely find an individual that meets all the "hope fors". But then we break down into requirements and desired. Rarely do you find anyone who even gets to 50% of the desired. How many people do you know that do 3D graphics but know gaming and simulation, have great mathematics and physics skills, understand quaternion math and physics, optics, energy distribution, are well versed in C/C++, have database, openGL, and experts in human computer interaction? not gonna happen... so you pick your best and train the rest (or attempt to). If you truly only meet 50% of the requirements and not just 50% of the desired traits, I would be worried. Ask why you were invited though. I went from accounting to engineering with my skills in AI, parallel programming, communication, and user interface work. I met few of the requirements with degree, but I could do all of them. I was invited to the position by one who knew me and my skills, they trusted his recommendation, and never regretted it.... although I started at low pay, low risk to my employer, and gained high raises as I met expectations. Starting at low pay was a bit difficult, though it was not less than I worked for in accounting.
El Corazon wrote:
How many people do you know that do 3D graphics but know gaming and simulation, have great mathematics and physics skills, understand quaternion math and physics, optics, energy distribution, are well versed in C/C++, have database, openGL, and experts in human computer interaction?
Well I score well over 50% (database & energy distribution nil, optics a little and not an expert in HCI but know enough to be dangerous). Mind you I think that we're in a similar line of business. Mind you, if one of the other regulars around here had produced a list I'm sure that I would have scored very little
Graham Librarians rule, Ook!
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So here is the story... I got an email from an IT guy I know telling me that there is a job opening up at his work and that I should apply. This guy is the IT Manager and will be heavily involved in the selection process. So I had a look at the advertisement and looked through the essential requirements. I only meet a couple of them, and a couple of the desired, but in total I barely meet 50% of the requirements. Is there any harm in applying anyway? Have you applied to any jobs where you had an extremely low chance of even getting an interview, let alone the job itself? And did it work out for you?
"There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown "All things good to know are difficult to learn" ~ Greek Proverb "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" ~ Vidal Sassoon
Reminds me of one of my most spectacular failures, back in the early 90s. I got called into the office of one of the senior guys and sworn to secrecy. He told me that there was going to be a re-organisation, he was going to head up such and such a function and there was going to be a new vacancy created. He said ne wanted me to get the job. Wow. He even went on to tell me what questions the interview panel were going to ask and some important points to get into the answers. (I somewhat objected to this as I thought I could have answered these question in my sleep anyway). So, come the day, come the questions, textbook answers, good interview. Couple of days later comes the "Thank you for applying but no thankyou" letter! It later transpired that someone took offence to some overheard comments where I was heard speaking the truth rather than the official party line! Still, it didn't make a lot of difference as , with typically great British planning, the new post holder, along with about half of everyone else got made redundant with a fortnight! Rich