“It couldn’t hurt to apply right?” Often people are ambitious when applying for jobs, and apply for higher positions than they’re qualified for, which can pay off, but where is the line between ambitious and careless? While ambition is great, it’s extremely important to figure out when being overconfident is detrimental to your job application.
Where to draw the line:
As a resume writer, I always have clients show me their desired job description/job posting so I can customize their resume to the specifics of the application. Usually people have a good grasp on their skills and abilities, but sometimes I sit there in bemusement before kindly expressing my concern about them applying to a job when they have none of the listed requirements.
Yes, applying for a job a little out of your comfort zone as a reach can be very beneficial if a hiring manager can see your potential, but applying for a job when you don’t have any of the requirements, (i.e. software knowledge, etc.) can be detrimental.
If you meet at least 75% of the qualifications, apply—but be smart about figuring out the non-negotiables. This is an important point. When you’re applying for jobs, ask the question: do you meet about 75% or more of the requirements? If so, you should probably apply, as long as you meet the non-negotiable requirements.
Why this matters:
Back when I was in recruiting, I would sort through resumes to fill positions, and I’d often come across candidates with none of the job requirements. Seeing these applicants made me think of two things:
- The candidate was too careless to read the job requirements and didn’t take the job application seriously.
- They were simply lazy about paying attention to details. (I don’t want to hire someone who can’t pay attention to detail and/or follow instructions!)
Your intention may be good, but hiring managers rarely see your intention, just the result, and if the result doesn’t portray you in a good light, chances are you will not be working for that company any time soon.
The consequences:
Bad impressions and bad stereotypes are quicker to form and more resistant to disconfirmation than good ones, so if you reapply the same company to a position which you are qualified for, they may look back at your previous application and reject you simply because of your lack of attention to detail the first time around.
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Searching for a job is hard. It’s important to give yourself the time you need and take a step back to fully read the job description and requirements to see if the position is viable for you. Applying to a job when you don’t have the necessary requirements is a time when being overconfident is detrimental to your job application. If you don’t meet the minimum qualifications for a job, move on and find a position that requires skills you possess. Job applications are about quality, not quantity, and sticking to this notion will pay off in the end.