Never Disqualify Yourself

Posted on 2011-03-15 04:45:07 by Jer

Several people who are near and dear to me are currently job-shopping.

Some of them have expressed reservations about applying for positions they are interested in because "I'm not qualified". This really gets me exercised.

Never Disqualify Yourself. Ever. That is the hiring manager's job. They will never get the chance if you don't apply. These days, some bot or HR drone who is not a subject matter expert is probably screening your resume anyway - all the more reason to take a shot.

Hiring managers ask for the moon, hoping they will get the second floor of the two-story outhouse. Most job descriptions are at least 50% bullshit. They should just read something like this:

"We are looking for someone who combines the qualities of Jesus, Einstein, and Buffet and is willing to work for cheap."

Is that you? Nope. But it's not anyone else who applied either.

The best hires I've been associated with did not meet the posted requirements of the position. They applied(!), interviewed, and sold their ability to do parts of the job and grow into the rest. Then they got hired and did just that.

I'm pretty sure I've never met all the requirements of any job I've ever taken (except maybe dishwasher).

You can't win if don't play. If you want a job, you apply for it. It's as simple as that.

There will always be someone there to say "No". Don't let it be you.