Judge the Necessity of Qualifications
The type of job you’re applying for has a pretty significant influence on how closely you need to adhere to the qualification requests on the job listings. If it’s a top-level position requiring a PhD and 20 years of experience and you’re 21 years old and fresh out of your undergraduate’s degree, maybe you need to adjust your expectations a little bit. However, that’s not to say that meeting the qualification list is the be-all and end-all of the job application process.
Generally speaking, job listings are often outlining suggestions as to what they think will make a good candidate for a position. Just because you’re not fully fitted to this model doesn’t mean you don’t have potential as a candidate!
Take a look at the rest of the job listing details, such as key skills needed and the responsibilities that will come with the role. Do you think you have those skills, and will be able to handle the responsibilities of the role? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, go ahead and start your application!
If you don’t fit the qualification criteria of a job advertisement, it can be more difficult to make your application stand out from the tidal wave of other applicants. So, how can you make yourself stand out as a candidate?
How to Sell Yourself: The Power of the Cover Letter
If you don’t fit all of the qualification requirements of the job listing but still think you have potential to fill the role, writing a good cover letter will give yourself an opportunity to shine. Cover letters give you a chance to add character to your application, rather than being another name on the long list of other applicants.
Cover letters are an opportunity to draw attention to other ways in which you might be suited to the role above and beyond your qualifications, such as previous experiences and how they have given you skills and abilities essential to the role.
So, the answer to the question at hand depends on a number of different factors. All things considered, at the end of the day there is nothing to be lost by applying for jobs you’re not 100% qualified for, except for perhaps a few minutes of your time!
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the science field, browse the wide range of different careers available with HRS today. No matter what your qualifications, experience, or requirements are, there’s probably something suited to you!
Browse Science Jobs
