Applying for a job that you know nothing about?

[Brent]

Has anyone ever applied for a job that they are technically not knowledgeable about doing, but have done so anyway because they were interested in working for the company or hoping for some other position that may come up?

I'm applying for jobs around town, and I've seen a few that sound neat, but I'm really not educated in, but I have experience along similar lines. For example one is about designing web pages, though I'm an ace at computers, hardware, tech support and dabbling in programs like Photoshop, I know I'm not knowledgeable about doing that job.

But I'm thinking about applying anyway, knowing that I can't do it, but applying anyway in the hopes that they'll interview me and I can tell them what I'm capable of and maybe they'll find another position for me, or at least have me in their system if anything comes up. I just don't want to look stupid though, applying for something I've never done before and have no experience in, heh. When they ask me what experience you have building web pages, I would have to say "none" heh.

So anyone ever applied for jobs they knew they couldn't do? Is that a stupid thing to do?

 

[thumbtack]

Isn't that everybody?

 

[Brent]

I guess so, I mean, applying for jobs that you really don't meet the requirements on, for example there is another "Tech support analyst" job, but it lists things in the requirements that are honestly beyond my knowledge base, stupid to apply anyway?

 

[jamestyler]

Totally. Being able to bullshit my way into a job is one of my best talents. Keeping the job is another matter, but I've had wonderful opportunities open up just by being a complete liar.

I've known a lot of people who have interviews for one job, shown better skills at another and received a call down the line.

Even if it fails - interview experience is never bad.

 

[Holdfast]

So anyone ever applied for jobs they knew they couldn't do?

How do you think we ended up with politicians we have?

 

[FPAlpha]

So anyone ever applied for jobs they knew they couldn't do? Is that a stupid thing to do?

First.. it would be a small miracle if you would indeed get an interview for a job you're not really qualified for. In my experience, technical jobs are usually also interviewed by a person knowledgeable in this field (if the interviewer isn't usually someone from the department tags along.. usually your boss to be) and if you can't convincingly make it through the more technical questions the interviewer will politely end the interview and blackmark you for all future interviews within that company as a liar.. good luck ever getting a job within that company.

Say you miraculously make it through the interview and get the job.. how will you survive the probation period? I heard and experienced anything between 3 -6 months is the norm.. can you fake technical knowledge for at least 3 months? Usually it takes 2-3 weeks to familiarize yourself with the company, how they do stuff and any specialized software but then it's work.
You don't know shit about web programming and you were hired as a web programmer? How will you get that knowledge in a mere few weeks before they find out?

To sum it up.. very bad idea. You at least need a basic of advanced knowledge of the field you want to work in, i.e. everything you really need to have learnt before applying to make a job work. Lying to a company is the worst way to get a job and it looks really bad on your resume having worked a mere 4 weeks at a company.. what will you tell a future employee if he asks you why you only worked 4 weeks there? Lie again?

If you are applying for a tele-sales job all you need to do is to know how to operate a phone. Basic office jobs can also be done quite well if you have ever worked in an office.

But a trade that involves specialized knowledge? Better have it or don't bother at all.. normal HR people will toss your application in the bin as soon as they glanced through your credentials and notice you have no experience or knowledge in that field.

 

[TorontoTrekker]

In my experience (and I am a programmer, with over 15 years of experience in everything from COBOL and FORTRAN to C#.NET, PHP and Ajax), HR people are looking to check off as many items on their checklist as they can. If you don't have experience in everything listed in the job description, you won't even get a first interview, even if the only item you're missing is something that it would take a couple of hours to learn. The HR people screening the resumes don't know that, however.

I came across a job listing a few years ago that I thought would be a perfect fit for my knowledge and experience, with one exception - I didn't have any IMS knowledge. Given the rest of the areas I have experience in, I had full confidence that I could pick it up easily - but I didn't even get a call.

Part of the problem is that there are so many programmers out there that someone applying will have everything on that list. I blame the fact that so many companies have outsourced their development - making the competition for those jobs that haven't been outsourced that much fiercer. The other problem is that these companies get what they pay for - a few years ago, I ran into a former manager of mine from a job I'd been laid off from, along with the rest of the IT department, in favour of a company based in India. I asked if they were still working with that company, and he rolled his eyes and said "yes" in a way that made it clear that he wished they weren't. And he was from India.

 

[Amaris]

I apply for many such positions. When it comes to tech jobs in particular. If it calls for Bachelor's Degree or better applicants only, I still apply. I've worked in technology for more than 12 years, and while I don't have the degree to show for it, I have the knowledge and experience. Not like I ever get a call anyway.

 

[Ood Sigma]

I think it sort of depends on the type of job. From what you said, this one's about designing web pages and if you don't have any experience with that, you won't be likely to be hired or even to get an interview. Unless the company is undergoing massive hiring, I doubt you'll get your foot in the door by submitting to a position you can't get.

Having said that, it can't hurt to submit the resume. If you're lucky you may get a call from a hiring manager (or really, anyone on the inside) and from there you can enquire about jobs that are more your cup of tea.

If you think you'd like to get into the field you're applying for, pick up a book and work through some examples. Then you can put beginner level on your resume. Be honest about your experience level but let them know you're willing to learn. Whatever you do, don't pass yourself off as an expert on a field you're not. I've helped conduct several interviews and it's incredibly easy to pick up BS like that.

 

[Captain_Nick]

Back yourself in and lie. Remember it was Hitler or one of his mates that said that the bigger the lie the more people will believe it.

If you want the job, tailor your history to match their requirements. A fake degree and some reference 'fraud' and you're on your way.

I know it sounds dodgy but that's how I got the job I have now ....

 

[Sephiroth]

it's how my old man went from pipe-fitter to instrument tech in the 60's

 

[Brent]

I'm not saying lie, I'm saying just apply for a job, even if you don't technically think you know enough to do it. Don't lie in the interview obviously, or on your resume.

If anything, I would be hoping they would keep me in the system for something that I can do, if a position opens in the company.

 

[Captain_Nick]

Let me know how that strategy works out for ya

 

[Naira]

I have applied for a job for which I had to pass an "examination" in front of a computer and also give an interview and up to that point noone had *officially* informed me about what the job was (!) Does that count?

 

[cultcross]

I have applied for a job for which I had to pass an "examination" in front of a computer and also give an interview and up to that point noone had *officially* informed me about what the job was (!) Does that count?

I applied for and got a job in the MOD without really knowing what it was I'd applied for. And it wasn't even that it was secret, they just were really bad at telling me stuff.
I didn't take the job.
I still don't really know what the job was.

 

[FPAlpha]

I'm not saying lie, I'm saying just apply for a job, even if you don't technically think you know enough to do it. Don't lie in the interview obviously, or on your resume.

If anything, I would be hoping they would keep me in the system for something that I can do, if a position opens in the company.

In that case find out who's doing the interviews, call him/her up and maybe have a small talk about positions in the company. If they are willing and have the time you may give them a short summary about yourself and then send in your complete resume.

Many jobs aren't even sought externally.. we have a billboard in our company where news are posted including wanted ads for certain positions within the company and only if the time runs out and nobody suitable was found within the company did they go external.

So ring them up, find out who's responsible and then just apply in general.

 

[TheBrew]

Back yourself in and lie. Remember it was Hitler or one of his mates that said that the bigger the lie the more people will believe it.

If you want the job, tailor your history to match their requirements. A fake degree and some reference 'fraud' and you're on your way.

I know it sounds dodgy but that's how I got the job I have now ....

You better hope that your employers aren't able to google search you and find this post. I'll give you credit, you have balls for posting that.

 

[SmoothieX]

I think there's a fina balance between applying for something that is a reach but where you can grow into it, and applying for something totally outside your area of expertise.

When we get resumes from completely unqualified people, they just get thrown out and the managers get ticked.

 

[JarodRussell]

At least it's just webdesign and not something lifethreatening. Well, if the company employs you even though you have no idea what the hell you are doing, then why not?

 

[Captain_Nick]

You better hope that your employers aren't able to google search you and find this post. I'll give you credit, you have balls for posting that.

Nah, it's not that ballsy. They wouldn't know how to find this post, and they have no reason to go looking in the first place.

The other thing that I should have mentioned is that you should be able to do the job you're applying for. There's no sense in lying your way into a professorship at a university for instance.