Applying for a job I feel under qualified…

16 Comments

1. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJuly 21,2022 at 6:49PM UTC

   Firstly, congratulations!

   I don't have specific advice for your specific field. But, as an interviewer, I will say - you shouldn't feel like an imposter. Everyone's aware of your resume and your abilities. And they want to talk to you based on them. So, hold your head high and all the best!

2. Crystal HowellJuly 21,2022 at 7:46PM UTC

   Think about what is 2 years, if you passed recruiter that may mean the other applicants didn't cut it or come close.

   Brush up on what you don't know, and be yourself. They don't expect you to come in and know their system.

3. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 8:09PM UTC

   No one ever goes strictly against a job description. These guides are not set in stone but a way to qualify a broad range of candidates.

   The fact that they set up an interview means they clearly like what they saw on your resume or application.

   And supervising is supervising. They are looking for the skillset ir super organization, team management and the ability to get the job done. Whether is with 10 people or 100 people.

   You've got this. Don't sabotage yourself with doubt.

4. TroyJuly 21,2022 at 8:15PM UTC

   Congratulations and trust yourself. Seems like you’ve had experience in prior and they felt that you would be a good fit. Tell yourself you are worthy and qualified and do your best.

5. Debra SesholtzJuly 21,2022 at 8:49PM UTC

   Congratulations!

   Be confident in your abilities. No candidate has all the experience put in a job description. If you want this role, concentrate on why you are the ideal candidate and what you can bring to the company. As you prepare for the interview, focus on why you are the candidate for the role. This will also help you see you are not an imposter. Advice...be prepared to talk about how you lead in different situations.

   All the best in the interview!

6. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 9:18PM UTC

   Kanye West at one point said with confidence he was going to run for president. Do you think he's qualified?

   In all seriousness we, especially as women, tend to sell ourselves short. You applied, so you probably have something in you that believes that you can rise to the occasion, so give it your best shot.

   Your other questions are industry specific so I'm not sure I can help there, but remember, they chose you to participate, so therefore you are not an imposter.

7. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 9:56PM UTC

   PRAY. And channel that energy into acknowledging that if God deemed you good enough to be given this position, why would you even doubt the gift that God gave you. If you have time to worry, that means you have too much time on your hands. Channel that energy somewhere else. At work, make the time to get very familiar with all the SMEs and go tos to help speed up the learning curve if any. Also make it a priority to also build a healthy rapport and reciprocated respect to help cut away at any unnecessary jealousy, animosity and envy. When not at work, make time to exercise, meditate, family time.

   If the repetitive self talk is still overwhelming and overpowering your thoughts, get 2 journals. 1 for journaling how your feel. And another to list positive affirmations about yourself. Make time to create a list of 50, yes 50 affirmations about yourself. Read those 50 affirmations:

   1) When you wake up

   2) At your desk before you start work

   3) At lunch

   4) Before you head home from work or post computer shut down if teleworking

   5) Before you go to sleep.

   This is a form of re-programming your mind to stomp out repetitive negative thoughts to replace them with these positive affirmations to serve as positive thoughts. within a few weeks you will have them memorized and won't even need to carry around the list with you. Focus inward, not outward.

   Congratulations, and good luck!

8. Kathleen LeCheleJuly 21,2022 at 10:17PM UTC

   You should expect to get what you give. Do not over think this opportunity. When we are ambitious; and it sounds as though you are, we have to start at a new beginning each time we level up. Look at this as your new start, to your new beginning, because you’ve put in the work to level up. You’ve been successful in your past supervisor positions with accolades as receipts. This position is no different! Level up Girlllllll, YOU got this!

9. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 12:59AM UTC

   I'm going to offer a slightly different perspective here. This sounds like it might be a "stretch job." What i mean by this is, it may be something that is the next level in your career. You mention you will be supervising 6 times the amount of people you've had experience with. How many people is that and do you have the bandwidth?

   This is just an example of the types of things that come with bigger jobs. I'm not saying you're underqualified. Far from it. But a recurring theme is I hear people telling women all time to ignore their impostor syndrome, to "go for it" all the time perhaps overlooking some important details.

   I've told this story on FairyGod boss several times before, but it seems to strike a nerve. 2 years ago I took a "stretch" job in an organization with a bigger scope that was faster moving than I was used to. I had just turned 40 and felt the "boss lady" pressure big time. I ended up in way over my head. I might have been successful had I had good mentorship, a decent boss, and employees reporting to me that I wasn't forced to "start a paper trail with."

   It was an incredibly difficult work environment. Within 4 months my boss told me I was not thriving in the role. I was horrified but knew I was in way over my head. The pandemic had just hit. This was April 2020. I knew my mental health was in danger of a full blown breakdown. I had given this new job 150%. That's how dedicated I was to "Bossing up."

   My story has a happy ending. I'm in a much better role for me and this story will serve for my book, one woman show, or screenplay. But my point is just this: if there is doubt during the interview process, really pay attention. Is this role really for you? Or would you be signing up for something that destroyed your soul. High salaries, management and prestige are wonderful. As long as it's a good fit.

10. Nicole DupuisJuly 22,2022 at 11:01AM UTC

    Someone told me once that men statistically are more likely to go after a job they are under qualified for than women. Perhaps on paper you have less experience in some of the areas they are looking for BUT there are experiences you have that might stand out to them. There is value in an outside perspective, a fresh take on a role and perhaps they see that in you.

    I have suggested to many clients to draft up a narrative of your journey. How did you get to this point in your career? Your husband is pointing out your "other leadership roles and awards," and these are things that are part of your story. Write down your journey and read it back to yourself.

11. Joshua CorderoJuly 22,2022 at 12:38PM UTC

    At the end of the day they will someone who shows that they have a plan of action to manage the team. Someone who shows them they have a plan to achieve the team's top priorities and solve the teams biggest issues.

    You can do that.

    During the interview ask about these topics, then create an action plan and share that with them.

    Whenever you feel the imposter syndrome start to creep in, tell yourself(out loud) that you are not an imposter and everyone has to take on more than they have before in order to grow and that's what you are doing.

12. Beth AndreJuly 22,2022 at 3:48PM UTC

    If you made it through the screen you are absolutely qualified! Write down everything you have done that you are proud of so you can express how really amazing you are!

13. Robin LampertJuly 22,2022 at 4:00PM UTC

    Can you do the job? If so, you're qualified.

    Do you really think you would have gotten that much better with 2 more years of experience? Have you done well with the number of people you have supervised?

    I've seen many job descriptions that asked for 5+ years of experience with something that most people could learn in under a year. As someone else mentioned, men tend to apply for jobs where they don't meet ALL the qualifications, while women (and probably some minority groups) tend to rule themselves out. Job descriptions can be a combination of wishlist and HR/recruiter inflation. And almost all good jobs will require a combination of things you can already do and space for growth.

    Be ready to answer interview questions with examples of how you've overcome problems (e.g., with staff you supervised) and achievements during your 8 years (e.g, lower level of accidents, improved capacity).

    Good luck!

14. Barb HansenJuly 22,2022 at 5:36PM UTC

    Trust yourself.

    Spend some time this weekend writing a list of all of your accomplishments in your previous leadership roles and in your career in general.

    Then, play the role of the hiring manager at this new company, and read through your list of accomplishments.

    Would you want to hire you?

    Of course you would. Why? Because you are great at your job.

    And when that voice in your head starts telling you that you're not qualified, tell that voice to go away (you can use more colorful language if you wish)

    Good luck, we are all rooting for you.

15. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 12:35PM UTC

    I am a recruiter for a large company. Sometimes hiring managers will list minimum requirements that are not realistic. I cannot think of a job description that I have seen that requires 10 years of management experience.

    What value does two extra years of management experience really bring? If someone has 8 years of management experience they know how to manage. You can certainly manage more people if you have managed several people .

    The fact that this company is working with a recruitment firm shows that they have been unable to fill this role themselves. The recruiter sent your resume over and the client saw something on that resume that made them want to talk to you.

    Believe in yourself! Practice common interview questions . If you second guess yourself it is going to come through. Hiring managers will pick up on lack of confidence.

    Have a list of questions prepared and ask them if you have any questions (if they did not cover these during the interview).

    Whatever you do do not say I only have 8 years of management experience! Focus on the skills that you have and how you can help their business.

    Good luck! You’ve got this!

16. Susan BonnerJuly 23,2022 at 2:37PM UTC

    Managing 10 people and managing 50 isn’t the leap you think it is. There are tiers within that so you end up managing the leaders.

    Only good leaders worry about things like this!