applying for jobs you're not 100% qualified for

Hi all,
I'm looking to apply for a infosec position that I don't necessary meet all requirements for but I do meet most of the essential and half the desired requirements.
An example is - The position asks for linux/unix experience as they use linux/unix based tools to carry out their work which I don't have. But it does say "or demonstrable ability to become proficient in these areas".
Aside from showing enthusiasm to want to learn linux and that showing i'm a quick learner, I'm abit lost as to how I can prove this.
It could be self doubt, or chronic 'man-flu' stopping my brain thinking properly, but this is a department that I've wanted to work in for over a year and now a vacancy has come up, I don't want to apply and make a fool out of myself but at the same time, I don't want to waste the opportunity.
This is a position I would love to get and I see it as a really good opportunity, not only salary wise, but to really boost my career. Any pointers from anyone? Maybe someone who's been in a similar situation?
Thanks
Mark
I'm looking to apply for a infosec position that I don't necessary meet all requirements for but I do meet most of the essential and half the desired requirements.
An example is - The position asks for linux/unix experience as they use linux/unix based tools to carry out their work which I don't have. But it does say "or demonstrable ability to become proficient in these areas".
Aside from showing enthusiasm to want to learn linux and that showing i'm a quick learner, I'm abit lost as to how I can prove this.
It could be self doubt, or chronic 'man-flu' stopping my brain thinking properly, but this is a department that I've wanted to work in for over a year and now a vacancy has come up, I don't want to apply and make a fool out of myself but at the same time, I don't want to waste the opportunity.
This is a position I would love to get and I see it as a really good opportunity, not only salary wise, but to really boost my career. Any pointers from anyone? Maybe someone who's been in a similar situation?
Thanks
Mark
Comments
My current job listed 5-7 year experience, Bachelors degree and VCP/MCSE/CCNA.
I have 2 1/2 years experience, degree is in progress and none of the above listed certs.
Doesn't hurt to try!
MCSA 2003, LFCS, LFCE (expired), VCP6-DCV
Just go for it, if they call you then great. If they don't, what'd you really lose?
I'm definitely sure I can do the job with a bit of training from them to help me in my weaker areas. Installing Linux is something I've already done on an old laptop, I guess I was just worried about the level of experience they require as I would call myself a beginner at best. Hopefully my Windows and Mac OS X knowledge will outweigh that as they are "desirable" skills.
Thanks for all the encouragement, better get my application sorted!
Keenon I like your style
Go for it.
I struggled at first but it was challenging and I learned a lot from working there for two years on something i had almost 0 experience at.
I didn't lie in the interview and told them that I'm not that familiar with it but this was the case for almost all the jobs I've been at before but I did learn in a fast period and they thought I'm good for it so i got it.
It doesn't' hurt to try but try to read about the basics at least before the interview.Good Luck
But the funny thing about that is that it could have been worse -- they could have interviewed you and offered you the job and you could have taken it -- and then you'd be working with those freaks.
When you think about that, having someone toss your resume in the trash doesn't seem all that bad anymore.
I've not even been 50% qualified for most of the jobs I've applied for. No Calls, just one or two but it's 1 or 2 more than if I'd not tried.
I have applied for alot of jobs that I was not qualified for and I even got a face to face interview.
Most places ask for everything including the kitchen sink so they have a little leverage negotiating salary.
e.g. "Well, you don't have cert x, or job experience y, so we feel we can offer you z amount of money".
They know dang well that the odds of everyone meeting 100% of what they ask is slim. You're probably perfect for the position, but they don't want you to know that.
It's kind of like telling somebody it will take longer to do something, but really knowing you'll have it completed faster. Lower their expectations so they'll be happier when you do it better than anticipated.
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It never hurts to try, the worst that can happen is they'll turn you down and then you really didn't lose anything but the time it took to attach your resume and write a cover letter. I can live with that cost for any job, most job descriptions are actually listed on the high end of what they want and they'll more than likely settle for lower than that if someone can showcase the appropriate talents.
If you want to gauge yourself on a good job, just read the job responsibilities and if you feel that you can perform those duties with little to no accomidation then go ahead and submit a resume. If there are things that you're not so familiar with but you're a quick learner, then make sure you showcase your ability to pick up new technologies fairly quickly. Yeah, I'm unemployed, but I've actually gotten interviews for jobs that I was no where near qualified for via their job description just to lose out to someone who actually had prior experience, where as I have no experience.
Just something to keep in mind.
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This was going to be my answer. Years ago I got hired as a sys admin without the appropriate background. Turns out, it did matter and I didn't make it past the 3x month probation.
Then again my current position required a load of stuff and I picked it up along the way. Studying after work, of course.
Go for it mate, you've gotta be in it to win it!
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An example, I interviewed over the phone for a job I didn't get and the interviewer asked me if I had experience with several different transport equipment vendors, they had every possible vendor in the world named who made OC equipment, and I had experience with a couple of the companies they named, as it is almost impossible to be an expert on all of them due to costs and standardizing equipment out in the field. I gave them the spiel about how telecomm is a huge industry and one cannot be an expert in every vendor out there but the theory,test equipment, and troubleshooting knowledge is the same. They seemed to think a person existed who knew everything and could come in do everything they wanted from the get go. What they wanted was a consulting company in a person who would work cheap...
In a followup the HR guy who interviewed told me they were looking for a world class expert in each of these vendors and they were only looking for him. I knew at this point I wasn't getting the job and I replied something along the lines with the person you are looking for doesn't exist at the pay level you are seeking and good luck to you finding them.
Also I think the HR departments advertise they are looking for this, this and this but will take only this because the salary is right. They actually only seem to want to pay out money when they have a very pressing need such as the payroll server needs immediate replacement..."I have a story about this"...
I was actually involved in the last hire within the department and it was decided to recruit somebody who was under 30 and showed an ability to learn and who was local to the area so they wouldn't move away. He wasn't the most qualified but what we felt was the best fit for the job based on other factors...
If you've got real interest in the job, tailor your resume to hammer home your strengths as it pertains to the listed job requirements. I only send 'canned' resumes to jobs that seem like a marginal fit for me anyway. Sometimes, you just never know without interviewing. Tricky balance and sometimes you're just guessing what is a true fit and what isn't. For better practice, try to tailor your resume to every job you apply for though. Based on what you get call backs for, you might learn how to present your strengths better in the future.
I once heard that many job descriptions are overinflated with requirements. They're not necessarily all of the true requirements, but because there are so many, it becomes easier for HR to document why you weren't hired. Reason being true or not. I have no sources on this, but it seems to make some sense as easy as it is to be sued these days. Even if totally wrong, if it gives you more confidence to try, then I see no harm.
I submitted my cv and application form today so fingers crossed! I changed my cv to fit their criteria better and also switched things around to make certain desired skills more prominent.
I guess part of the doubt was because the raise in salary is quite a substantial amount, and maybe I didn't feel qualified enough for the amount. Who knows, maybe this is my lucky break, and is something, after months of struggling with money, I actually deserve.
Thanks to everyone who replied, it's really appreciated. My phone will remain on loud and my email constantly being refreshed!
You may even try going through the phone book, start with the large hospitals in your area, bank chains, universities/ colleges/ juco's and just work your way through. The more your resume is seen the better chance you have of being called.
Good Luck
I love that quote because its 100% true. You will never ever be 100% qualified for anything, but you can put in the effort and probably be ok 95% of the time. Make sure you cover, quickly, what you dont know if you get a job and close the gap.