Has this ever happened to you? You’re casually browsing the web. Or going through a newspaper. And you spot an ad about a job opening at your dream company.
It instantly makes you sit up, doesn’t it?
You’re obviously excited to see that they have an opening.
And it breaks your heart a bit when you see that you fall short of the requirements!
If only, you had 6 years of experience instead of 5. You know you’re a perfect fit for this role. But because you didn’t pass out from a ‘tier-1 college’ – which is what they’re looking for – you can’t even apply to the job.
Or, can you?
This is one of the most common questions I get asked by participants of the workshop – Get Your Dreamz.
Should I apply for my dream job even if I fall short of the requirements?
Well, I can’t really answer that question for you. But what I can tell you, is what will probably happen if you do. And what might happen if you don’t?
If you do apply for the job, you’ll probably get it.
If you don’t, you most certainly won’t.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to be prepared for the circumstances.
Let’s look at it one by one.
What happens when you apply for your dream job even if you fall short of the requirements?
When HR managers announce an open position, the requirements they post is what they think their ideal candidate should be like.
But, ask yourself.
How many people do you think there are who fit the requirement like a glove?
Do you think all of them have an equal shot at getting the job? Obviously not.
What most HR managers are looking for is someone who’d make them sit up and notice. Someone who stands out in the crowd. Someone who’s willing to go the extra mile to get things done.
Is that something you can do?
Still in doubt if you should apply for your dream job, because you lack inthe exact requirements?
Ask yourself these 5 questions before you make a decision.
1. Am I confident in my abilities?
Aspiring to work for a company is one thing. But having the skills to do a good job of it is another story altogether.
When you see a job opening in the company you’ve had your eyes on, it’s natural to get excited and want to apply for the job right away. A lot of people who do that, end up getting rejected.
Do you want to work hard for an interview and get the job, only to find out that it is different from what you were looking for? Or that there are much more responsibilities than what you are prepared for Do you?
Applying for a job is something you should avoid in the heat of the moment. Carefully analyse their requirements, your skills, experience and the level of responsibility. If you’re very sure that you’ll be able to manage it, only then go ahead.
2. Can I convince them that I’m the best fit for the job?
The purpose of a job interview is to showcase your skills and figure out how you and the company you’re interviewing fit together. If you think you can convince the hiring manager that you are, in fact, the best fit for the job, you will most likely make it.
Do you think when interviewing candidates, the company is really interested in who matches their job requirement exactly? If that were the case, why would so many people with the exact same qualification get rejected?
What’s important here is your ability to convince them that despite your lack of experience or education, you’re the best person for this job.
3. Do I know someone working at the company?
A lot of companies have referral policies when it comes to hiring new talent. In most cases, knowing someone who works for your dream company is a great way to land a job there.
In the professional world, networking is a must. The more people you meet and interact with, the more opportunities will come your way.
If you know an ex-colleague, an old classmate or a friend who works for your dream company, let them know that you’re interested in working with the company. If you hardly know anyone personally, connect with someone online; usually, an HR manager or a senior-level employee working in the department you wish to work. Strike a conversation with them and let them know about your skills and aspirations.
4. Am I prepared to face rejection?
Being optimistic is great. And over optimism can make you delusional.
It’s great to believe in your abilities and that you’d be great at the job. And that sometimes may trick you into the delusion that only YOU will get the job.
A lot of times, getting a job has very little to do with you or your performance in the interview. Maybe, the company decided to hire someone internally. Maybe, they already had someone in mind but conducted interviews just because. Or, maybe they decided to postpone to hire someone for this role .
When applying for your dream job, maintain a positive attitude, and also be prepared to face rejection. It’s important to remember that missing to get this job is very different from being the end of the world. You can still be happy and successful professionally with what you have.
5. Will I regret ignoring to apply for my dream job?
Sometimes, it’s best to do something and fail than to ignore it completely. This holds true for your dream job, too.
If you’re really keen on applying for a job and know that you’ll be good at it, give it a shot. What’s worse that could happen? You’ll get rejected. But at least you’ll know how you can improve and move on, right?
Applying for it anyway also gives you a chance to connect with the hiring manager and other senior employees at the company. If you’ve made a good impression on them, you can always keep in touch with them and let them know you’ll hone your skills and apply for a job again in the future.
Are you on the hunt for your dream job?
Prepare better and avoid failure. Register for our Get Your Dreamz workshop.
Key topics covered in the program are –
- The connection of your Dream job to the brain and the mysteries of the brain
- Communication for the Dream Job
- The 7 key ZINGles of Job Getting
- Secret Zools for winning interviews
- Instant confidence for interviews, group discussions and meetings
- The secret inspiration within you that creates Zingformation in your job and career
Have a question? Or wish to know more about this workshop?
Leave a comment below. Or get in touch with us here.
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Curious about other workshops by Zingformation? Do check it out here.
