Top 7 Reasons Not to Apply for a Job

Top 7 Reasons notlage to Apply for a JobTop 7 Reasons Not to Apply for a JobEmployers list job requirements when they advertise open positions for a reason. They want to hire the person who is the best-qualified applicant for the job. For most jobs, hiring managers have a good selection of qualified candidates and arent interested in those who dont have the qualifications. The employer has determined that those skills are necessary for success on the job. In addition, the employer wants to reduce the applicant pool so they can review the credentials of only the most qualified applicants for the job. So, sometimes it can make sense to save your time and not apply to a job. Heres when to consider other options. Top 7 Reasons Not to Apply for a Job Short on Skills If you dont have the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking, think twice about submitting an application. Many job postings list the skill platzset required for the position, and if you dont have at least most o f them you wont be considered.Dont Have the Experience Most employers require a certain amount of experience when seeking applicants. That information should be clearly listed in the posting. For example, these employers require a minimum number of years of experience5 years experience with SQL.2 - 3 years experience in an office environment.4 - 5 years or mora of proven experience.10 years of sales experience, preferably within the high tech industry.If youre close you might be considered but if you fall significantly short you wont be. Short on Educational Requirements In some cases, employers list educational requirements. Youll need to meet those requirements in order to be chosen for an interview.Here are some examplesBachelors Degree in a related field (i.e., English, Math, Chemistry).Masters degree in Student Personnel Administration, Counseling, or another appropriate field.High School Diploma required.As with experience, if youre close you might be considered. If you have t he degree, but a different major and appropriate work experience its worth applying. The Job or Company Isnt a Fit Sometimes, the job or the company simply isnt a match for what you want for your next job. It could be that you dont have the job requirements or that you have a different concept of fun than the company does.Looking for someone with a progressive career and would have some good tenure at each employer (spent at least 5 years with each).You like the idea of coming to work in jeans.We try to do a team activity every week, often friendly video games, basketball games or yoga.With these types of requirements, the employer is looking for a certain type of person who will be the best fit for the job and the organization. These arent always as definitive as some of the other job requirements. However, do be sure that the requirements and the company culture make you feel like youd love to work there rather than making youcringe at the thought of having to do some of the on-th e-job and extra-curricular activities. Live in the Wrong Place Because there are three applicants for every job it can be hard to get hired for a job in a different location. Its easier for employers to hire locally than it is to relocate a new hire. However, it can be worth applying if you have the flexibility to interview and relocate on short notice. For higher level positions, there are even more opportunities to get hired because the expectation is that the top level candidates may not be local.Cant Work the Schedule. If the job says that travel is required or that you need to be available for flexible hours that is what youll be expected to do. Here are some examplesMust be able to work the scheduled/assigned times and required overtime for the position.Ability to travel greater than 50% or as required.Must be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays.Expect shift work, including weekends and holidays, on rotation.Dont expect an employer to change those requirements for you. In most cases, it wont happen. Be sure that you have the flexibility to work the job schedule before you apply. Short on Connections For some jobs, especially sales, youll be expected to have a network of contacts and clients that you can tap. Be sure that you have the client base or connections youll need for success on the job. mora Reasons Not to Apply for a Job Avoid Job Search RejectionSome of the toughest things about job searching are getting rejected or being ignored and not hearing back. That can happen anyway, but its much more likely when youre applying for jobs that arent a good fit. From a personal perspective as well as a professional one, youll minimize rejection if you apply for the jobs you are the most qualified for. When Youre Not QualifiedWhen you apply for jobs that are a stretch, at best, youre not only wasting the employers time youre also wasting your own. For example, one job seeker I know really wanted to work for Microsoft. He applied for every job h e could find online and there are many, of course. He was rejected from all of them. There are ways to get hired by your dream company, but thats not one of them. Heres more on how to decide what jobs to apply for and how to decode a job advertisement so youknow what the employer is looking for. When Its a Close CallIf its borderline and you have most of the qualifications, its different.In that case, all you have to lose is your time. If the applicant pool is small, you may have a chance of getting an interview. Here are some guidelines on when not to apply for a job More Factors to Consider When Applying There are other factors involved in determining whether to apply for a job. These are more flexible, and it can be easier to tailor your application materials to enhance your credentials. You can mix and match your qualifications for the job. Equivalent Experience and Educational RequirementsIn some cases, having experience equivalent to the degree requirements is acceptable. For example BA required. In lieu of degree, 5 years of relevant experience.Will also consider three years of progressive experience in the specialty in lieu of every year of education. These requirements offer some leeway, so if youre not sure apply and let the employer decide. Heres how to mention equivalent experience in a cover letter. When Requirements Are Preferred but Not RequiredWhen employers list preferred requirements, youll have a better chance of getting hired even if youre not a perfect match. Do be sure to list your closest qualifications in your resume and cover letter. A High School Diploma or GED is preferred but not required.Minimum four (4) year college degree strongly preferred.Must have High School Diploma or GED. Paid Work Experience vs. Other ExperienceOne thing to remember when youre deciding whether to apply is that your experience doesnt have to all be paid work experience. Internships and summer jobs count. So does volunteer experience and other activities . Be sure to include them when youre making the case for getting selected to interview. Match Your Qualifications to the Job Description Even when you have all the right stuff, its essential to match your strongest qualifications to the job. You need to show the hiring manager that youre qualified. They arent going to figure it out for themselves.