omg. what if I'm offered a job for which I'm not qualified?

[RainDog]

okay, I passed the first interview stage and the institute I mentioned in an earlier post wants to set up a second interview (with other ppl.) In my first interview, I told the person who told me to apply for this position (I applied for another one and got a call to apply for this one) that if they wanted someone who was expert at X, then I could not claim to be an expert, and in fact I'm more of a user-end person for this stuff.

Have you ever had an interview in which you think you're less qualified than they think you are? Even tho I'm familiar with the basics of this stuff, this is NOT my strength... I'd basically have to learn it on the job. I don't think I would be comfortable in a position like that... doing this sort of work. I'm sooo much better at other stuff... things that feel like they come naturally, while the other stuff feels like a struggle.

A prof. told me a couple of years ago that, based upon one of those studies, yadayada, men apply for jobs when they are only 30% qualified but women apply for jobs when they are 100% qualified... in other words, women actually read the job descriptions. ;)

I'll do the second interview - I'd love to work there, but not in the job they want me to do.

Have any of you had to handle a situation like this?

[DarkTirade]

1. I applied for two jobs at the same time, one of which I was semi-qualified

for and the other I was qualified for... I figured if they couldn't find ANYBODY, they'd be desperate enough to hire someone like me, who is semi-qualified. :P

[RainDog]

4. I know, in this case, they're interviewing a few other ppl

so maybe this won't be an issue and the others will be more qualified.

I wish the anti-anxiety fairy would sprinkle some sedative dust in my coffee.

[PeaceNikki]

2. I operate under the rule: If I can Google it, I can do it.

Challange yourself

:thumbsup:

[DarkTirade]

5. Hot damn, I could be a rocket scientist!

:woohoo:

[PeaceNikki]

9. If you think you could sell it; rock on with your bad self!

[RainDog]

6. in this case

I would be expected to create.maintain VERY LARGE relational databases for v.i.p.s in certain areas... this is a big deal place connected to places all over the world.

I'm not a comp./info sci person, tho I know how to create basic dbs.

This relates to my field but is a separate area... again, it's not my strength and I cannot imagine working for a big prestigious org and being incompetent. but, as tz sez - they'll probably figure me out, esp. after I say, over and over, that I really don't have exp. with mysql for very large dbs.

I know there is info on these things online, but you can't just find a css style sheet you like or something and plug in your content.

[PeaceNikki]

8. What kind of databases?

Do you learn easily? Will there be co-workers there that can help teach you? Take an online class, check out community college offerings, buy books.

I'm a DB person, too ;)

[RainDog]

12. my sql

I feel weird about saying too much about it... I'm just weird private/not private that way. But it involves creating searchable dbs for research into rare materials for scholars all over the world to use. the place is sort of like a... foundation, say, that keeps copies of rare items so that they don't disappear.

If it were simply a digitization project and I was archiving items, etc. that would be no big deal. But writing the queries etc...

the thing is that I HATE THAT SORT OF WORK. I'm not good at it... stuff like php, too.

I like web design and I'm actually able to say I'm qualified to do a certain level of project management for info. arch. - but not the sort of thing they want, or so it seems.

the job I applied for earlier was about maintaining items... physically. I'm good at that part... preservation and management of that sort of thing.

[PeaceNikki]

14. I sent you a PM

[RainDog]

15. okay. I sent you a screaming, crying jag, anxiety-laden reply. ahem. sort of.

[TZ]

3. Yes.

But I've never gotten those jobs. Interviewers are pretty good at picking up what you are qualified for and what you are not.
Of course its also possible that they will offer you a different position.
I don't think you really are gonna be hired for something you can't do.

[TheFarseer]

7. take it

they think you are qualified. That's all that matters. I've taken jobs and then it was not what I thought at all. One caveat - this may not hold true if you have exaggerated your qualifications. Good luck!

[RainDog]

10. No, I have not exaggerated my qualifications AT ALL

In fact, I left stuff off my resume that I know how to do, but not at a level that would make me think it's valid to list on a resume.

They only think I'm qualified *so far.*

I think I should look at this as a way to learn how to improve my resume (the first person asked me some questions I hadn't answered on my resume... about the service population for something I managed, for instance, that I meant to add in but forgot, and some stats that make me look good related to that job that I forgot too.

It's the first job interview I've had since I completed my masters and started sending out my resume. I'm not a newbie at jobs... I'm re-entering the big time work force after some time out of it.

The thing is, too - I applied for another job somewhere else for which I KNOW I am very qualified to do (it would have been the next level of another job I was doing in grad school when you get exploited b/c you're a student) and it's the sort of thing I'd be MUCH better at, and enjoy more.

[KamaAina]

11. Holy cats, I think I might be trans

men apply for jobs when they are only 30% qualified but women apply for jobs when they are 100% qualified... in other words, women actually read the job descriptions.

I actually read the job descriptions -- but then fudge on a few things ("supervisory experience" over one half-time worker, for instance), and so apply when I'm maybe 70 or 80% qualified. Hmmm...

(in actual fact, I am male)

[RainDog]

13. I was just teasing about that last little snark remark. :)

I think it means that males, generally, have more confidence when they apply for jobs, or recognize that most ppl aren't fully qualified for all jobs.

I wonder if I should lie on my resume since they'll probably assume I'm lying anyway? :/