Know When To Hold ‘Em: Are You Qualified or Wasting Your Time?

Photo credit: Melissa Gray / CC BY-ND 2.0

According to survey conducted by OfficeTeam and CareerBuilder, hiring managers say an average of 44 percent of the resumes they receive come from unqualified individuals.

Unqualified means the resume doesn’t demonstrate that the person possesses the qualities needed to be capable of performing the job functions.

But here’s the kicker: In order to grow as a professional, you have to stretch beyond your current capabilities. Ask anyone who is successful in business and they’ll agree—accepting a challenging position (one that you’re maybe not perfectly qualified for) is the best way to develop your skills.

So, is submitting a resume for a position you’re not 100% qualified for really such a bad thing? Well, yes and no.

Before you send off your resume, look closely at the job description and ask yourself honestly if you’re qualified to do the job. Do you have the skills required? Do you meet the minimum qualifications listed? Do a thorough self-analysis and figure out exactly what you’re missing—because, more than likely, you’re missing something. The question is, “How much?” Because there’s a big difference between unqualified and not-perfectly-qualified.

Don’t Waste Your Time…

If you’re making excuses for every single requirement and hoping no one will notice, you’re probably wasting your time. A good indicator is to look at the number of years of experience required; this will usually tell you the basic experience level they’re looking for. If you’re somewhere close, you can certainly be a contender. But, if you’ve got five years of experience when they’re looking for ten, it’s probably not the right position for you.

…But Make Smart Gambles

However, even in a saturated job market like the one we’re currently in, employers rarely find an exact match. Job postings are like wish lists. When hiring managers develop them, they throw in anything and everything that could possibly help a person do the job. In most cases, they’re really just looking for a close match or they have an idea of how many “buckets” they need to fill. For example, most prospective employers will know that, if someone fits 3 out of 4 areas of expertise or 5 out of 7, they’ll bring them in for an interview. And the interview is where you can make up for those missing pieces.

The job interview is your opportunity to shine—especially if you don’t necessarily have all the qualifications. Most employers would rather hire someone who is less qualified but is eager to learn, has potential and demonstrates enthusiasm for the work versus hiring someone who hits every requirement perfectly but doesn’t have the right attitude. Show your excitement and your desire to learn and grow.

Even if you don’t get the job, you can still learn a lot just by going through the experience. Many recruiters and hiring managers will happily provide you with feedback and advice on how to improve your skills. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of the types of positions you may be qualified for and a better idea of how to get the qualifications for the positions you want.

So, if your skills don’t perfectly match the job posting, don’t be discouraged. Approach the situation with an open mind and an honest understanding of what you have to offer. Don’t be afraid to take risks—submit your resume for positions that are a close skills match if not perfect—and remember that challenge is the best way to grow. But don’t blanket the town with resumes for positions you clearly aren’t a match for. Stretch yourself, but don’t waste your time with wishful thinking.