Do you apply to jobs you know you won't get?

[elebelle]

Have you ever applied for a job that you know you probably won't get? Like one that is completely out of your field and requires experience in that field. I've heard many alums from my university complain that they've put in over 300 applications and had maybe 5 interviews, resulting in nothing.

Then I had a company contact me looking for a temp job in science. I wasn't willing to leave my current job for a temp position, but they told me if I knew anyone who might be interested, they'd give me a little "finder's-fee" if that person were hired. So I took to the nets and posted a summary of the job, asking people to e-mail me their resume. Keep in mind this position REQUIRED a B.S. in specific science fields, with experience in specific lab techniques.

I got so many random resumes - from construction workers to communications majors and everything in between. Only one was actually a science major, and none had the required basic experience asked. While I felt bad for the people - everyone is having a tough time finding a job - why would you apply for a job that you know has very specific requirements that you don't meet?

Have you guys ever done this?

[Restless&Lost]

It appears that either the job posting was poorly written/vague, or an awful lot of people with e-mail access have no idea how to conduct a job hunt. Either case is pretty likely in my experience.

[elebelle]

Oh sorry - when I said I posted a summary of the job, I meant it was a pretty decent job posting. Clearly stated that it required a B.S. in biology or microbiology, and experience in (insert the technique lingo that only people with that degree would have). So it was a little surprising when people with no degree, or completely opposite fields, and zero experience started applying.

[sondra_finchley]

I think some people take the advice "apply anyway to a job even if you dont match all the requirements" a little too literally. To me its a waste of my time (and your time and inbox space) to apply to a job where Im not even within throwing distance of the requirements. However, if Im close, and its not an exact fit, I still apply because you dont know the exact ranking of requirements in the employers mind AND I may have value to the company in past work experience/traits I dont see because I dont have inside information.

I also have a "grading system"- for companies/jobs I really want then I write and rewrite cover letters and tailor my resume ( I have two- long and short) and make sure to find out the hiring managers name with a quick phone call. If its something Im pretty passable for, but Im missing something key, then Ill still target the letter, but cut and paste a lot of it from previous letters.

Its all about making a good, calculated bet. Blindly sending out resumes benefits no one :)

[winneythepooh7]

I do not send resumes to jobs I know I am not qualified for. I will however, send an inquiry with my resume attached to certain companies expressing interest for positions I may be qualified for if they have any openings. As we all know, sometimes employers do not always advertise all of their open positions so you never know. I have gotten calls back multiple times when I do this.

[winneythepooh7]

P.S. FWIW, when I used to "hire" it irritated me to no end when people who clearly weren't qualified for the position they were applying for sent their resume anyways. No offense to anyone, but it really makes the candidate come off like they are an idiot and it really does waste the employers time. (i.e before I get hazed I am talking about when a position asks for say, a Master's degree and 5 years of experience working with X specific clientele) and Joe Schmo with no degree in that field, or working experience applies anyways ;).

[ebrillblaiddes]

I'll apply for things I'm almost qualified for (e.g. jobs that ask for a little more experience than I actually have, or teaching positions where I don't yet have the appropriate license in this state but I do have the credits to be Highly Qualified--if I were selected the district would be able to do minimal paperwork with the state to make me eligible for an emergency license), because it's a free lottery ticket. I won't apply for things that aren't even close, but I've been known to harvest the contact information and fire off a resume for "any positions I may be suitable for" or words to that effect.

[FloridaGirl25]

300?? My god... I'm surprised college alums would do or admit to that.

Customize!! Narrow the search!! Stop sending out the same resume!!!

I understand the temptation to think "casting your net wide" is a good bet, but when the employer is reeling in the catch, they're gonna spend their time looking for the precious catch, not the tin cans and plastic rings that is the uncustomized resume. No wonder they've only received 5 interviews.

My motto is: Only apply to jobs I feel a connection with, jobs that excite me, positions where I could happily see myself performing the job description functions. I prefer quality over quantity.

During my recent job search, I sent out 9 cover/resumes and got 5 interviews. I turned down 3, wasn't offered 1 (manager said I was overqualified and position required driving a truck lol), and accepted 1 (my top choice).

Exception: I've applied to "easy jobs", like secretary work, to make ends meet until I find a position I'm eager to apply to. We all gotta eat.

[callyna81]

I just find "targeting" applications works so, so, so much better. It's also less disheartening when your strike rate is like 30%, not 2%.

(Still doesn't mean I'm looking forward to my impending job search, though. YUCK.)

[wordsmith]

I'll apply to something if I don't have one or two points of criteria that they're looking for BUT I do have what I feel I can make a case for as equivalent experience. But I'd have to feel reasonably confident that I'm a good match for the job to bother taking the time. I wouldn't bother with something I could tell right away I wouldn't feel qualified for (even if I WERE qualified for it on paper, for that matter)...I have to actually be INTERESTED in it and actually believe I could do and would want to do the job. And I wouldn't just apply to stuff indiscriminately, and hope that something sticks. I've been criticized in the past by some for not just blitzing every opening I see, regardless if I fit the job description, but there's honestly no way I even WANT a job that I'm not suited to, even if I did manage to land it.

I've generally had very good luck with my job searches in the past, and only a handful of times have I not gotten an interview or multiple interviews to something I've applied to. I think only two or three times has the interview not resulted in a job offer (some, I've taken, others, not). I'm sure it's not just good luck, I think it probably has to do with being discerning with what I apply to. I have a higher success rate, because I tend to apply only to jobs I go in confident that I have all or most of the tools to get, and I find really interesting/go in extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about. I don't really apply to things where that's not the case. It means putting my name out there fewer times, which seems to work against the odds game, but like others have said, quality over quantity works out well.

[winneythepooh7]

As an aside, I have had a lot of places I am probably way overqualified to work for contact me when I just send out a generic resume/cover letter asking if they have any openings that I might be suitable for. This can be a positive if someone actually needs employment in their field but is having a hard time finding exactly what they want. At least you have an in this way to get a job, any job if making ends meet until you can move on to bigger and better is your top priority.

[gemma-dahl]

I once applied to a job I didn't think I was anywhere near qualified enough for. This was a writing job with the university I graduated from. As it turned out, I was the most qualified candidate and I got the job. At other times, I've applied for jobs I was sure were a hole-in-one and never even got a call back, so my basic philosophy is, whaddaya got to lose?

At the same time, having done hiring, it does irk me to read resumes and cover letters from applicants who are blatantly unqualified (for example, a man who has programmed his entire life applying to be a copywriter), ESPECIALLY if they don't even bother to explain why they feel they should be considered for an interview in the resume or cover letter.

[wordsmith]

It's always awesome when people apply for writing positions and their cover letters show a blatant lack of skill for compelling writing.

[elebelle]

It's always awesome when people apply for writing positions and their cover letters show a blatant lack of skill for compelling writing.

Hahahaha. You know, I've read a number of papers from college-educated individuals that lack basic grammar and spelling skills. It amazes me that people with the English skills of a 7th-grader are allowed into big universities.

[wordsmith]

I work with a LOT of educators who can't/won't/don't use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Yep, teaching the next generation. Sick.