4 Top Tips to Help you Apply for the Job When you Don’t Meet the Job Spec

Do you ever come across job adverts that pique your interest but as you read more about the opportunity, you find that you don’t match all of the person specification? Consequently you may not apply but don’t be put off by this as you may still be offered an interview if you get your application right. 

Some job adverts ask for essential and desirable and in which case, you are required to meet the desirable but not necessarily meet the essential criteria. Other job adverts request you meet all of the criteria and do not specify essential or desirable. Either-or, don’t be deterred from applying. 

The Guardian shared an inspiring story about 18 year old Georgia applying for a Graduate Scheme without having a degree and she got the job.

In light of this article, here are some tips, to support you with your application when you don’t meet the job spec:

1) Be selective and highlight your positives

This doesn’t mean you should be deceptive; ensure you are sharing your relevant skills and knowledge without mentioning that you don’t meet the whole job description. It is important to instil confidence from the start to ensure the reviewer has a positive mind set about you allowing them to assess your application properly.

2) Highlight your transferable skills

What else have you done that brings sufficient relevant experience? Transferable skills are important and sometimes considered better in situations such as bringing life experience to a teaching role. The resilience and knowledge you learn through life, whether this be from having children of your own or gaining knowledge in other industries, can support your teaching career. 

You may speak another language or have an extra qualification that is relevant to the school you are applying to. These skills could help the school if you got the job; it is a case of thinking outside the box. 

3) Show your passion for the job

Why is it your dream role? If you really want the job, you should find this question fairly straight forward to write about in your application. Make a clear case highlighting your reasons why you want the job thinking carefully about the skills you can bring to the position. Provide examples and mention what you have gained from that experience and why it is as valuable as the tick box criteria on the Person Specification.

4) Do your research

It is important to show you have done your research by learning about the school, understanding the role, the challenges and what it is about you that makes it necessary for them to shortlist you for interview. 

If you have any social media accounts then ensure your privacy settings are set to private otherwise you may be sharing personal information with the public that could affect your career depending on circumstances and the extent of what people see. The following posts will help you do this:

Is your Facebook profile set to private?

3 Simple Steps to Protect your Twitter Privacy

How private is your Instagram profile?

Are your WhatsApp Settings Private?

Good luck applying for jobs and I hope the above provides you with confidence when applying. If you need more advice on your job application, or how social media can help, have a look at our blog on Using Social Media in A Job Search.