I’m going to let you in on a little job searching secret: the “years of experience” section is kind of a white lie. The job I got after graduating from college “required” 3-5 years of experience. The job I have now “required” 5+ years of experience. How much experience do I actually have? 3 years.
Kathryn Decker
The key to searching for jobs is to not rely on the job description too heavily. Too many employers post long, hard-to-read job descriptions that you barely skim read before clicking apply. This is a huge mistake on their part! What a job description should entail is the absolute, most critical, need-to-have-or-I-will-never-hire-you requirements so that applicants take it seriously. However, employers do not do that, and they post aspirational ads painting a picture of the perfect person for this role.
Now, if you’re in a relationship, think about what your single self would have outlined as your perfect partner. Does your partner have 100% of these aspirational features? No, because as humans, we all have flaws, and hopefully the person you’ve found exceeds some of those wish list items and has made you realize some of them are just not realistic.
Remember that – as with dating – the perfect job description does not exist, and by extension, neither does the perfect candidate your potential employer is outlining in that 4 page description. This is why I urge you to apply out of your league.
Take the years of experience section as a suggestion and not a rule. What employers are most likely looking for is maturity and, depending on the number of years, a diverse portfolio. If you have it, then prove it, and you will be considered just as equally as others who have the desired level of experience. On the flip side, don’t sell what you can’t deliver!
That said, how can you communicate that you have what it takes?
1. Stats. The best way to prove you can do the job is to include statistics on your resume pertaining to specific tasks or actions you were responsible for. Instead of saying something like “managed social media presence,” make it measurable by saying, “Grew social media presence by 40% year on year” or other quantifiable information. The more you can show your commercial impact, the more an employer will see that you really do have what it takes.
2. Physical Evidence. Showcase examples of projects you’ve done, even if you’re not a creative candidate. If you’ve built an excel tool or established a monthly report, black out or remove the confidential company information and show it as an example of what you can do (only if it’s legal!). If you are looking at a creative/design-based role, you’ll need to prepare a proper portfolio. I have mine in the form of a website.
3. Cover Letter. I know everyone hates cover letters, but this is an opportunity to sell yourself, not summarize your resume. Establish why you think you’re great for the role beyond your technical skills. So many employers are looking for candidates who are a good culture fit, not just a technical fit. Even if you’re lacking in a couple of skill areas, if you have the right personality and attitude that will mesh well with an organization, let that show through. They can train you on the rest.
4. References. Even though it is no longer customary to include references on your resume or a statement of “available upon request,” it is important to have a qualified reserve of people who will vouch for you when the time comes. Ensure you have a mix of people – former supervisors, team members and even people who worked in different departments who were aware of your accomplishments. Showing that you have connections all across an organization will demonstrate that you work well within teams and have successfully built relationships outside of your immediate group.
So, Career Girls, next time you’re job searching, don’t let those “years of experience” deter you from applying from a job you know you are otherwise qualified for. Let us know if you’ve ever applied out of your league and how it went in the comments below.
Here is a pinworthy quote!
Should I still apply if I don’t have enough experience? How do I apply if I don’t meet the years of experience required? Read the answer here. www.mscareergirl.com
