If you’re “In Transition” like me, there’ll be times when you look at a job posting and think “I don’t have all those qualifications so why would I apply?” 2 things you need to keep in mind:
1. Those qualifications are more like a wish list and…
2. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – A quote from Wayne Gretzky, the greatest
goal-scorer of all time in the NHL, in case you didn’t know.
So, what’s holding you back?
Nobody’s that Good
And you’re 100% right! That job posting with 20+ skills is akin to searching for a unicorn, or Big Foot, or the perfect employee, all of which do not exist. The mindset behind that style of job posting (in my opinion) is to weed out those who are too scared to take a risk or afraid of the work it’ll take to prove that their job skills are transferable, even for the obscure skills.
Be Like Gretzky, Take the Shot!
The fear I used to feel before deciding to apply to a position would more often than not stop me from applying all together. Which makes it hard to get hired. Until I stopped worrying about rejection and just applied. They can’t hurt me by not responding. And, if I get a “redirection email,” congratulations… my resume made it through the first round of screening! Shot on goal!
Play to Your Strengths
You need to know your strengths before you apply though. ALL of them! Which means you need to write them down. Sort them by category, professional and personal, and that includes unclogging toilets. (it’s a problem-solving skill!) Then, just match your relatable skills with the job posting and presto, you become a Sasquatch riding a unicorn, charging down a rainbow to save the day!
And Then There’s Nike…
Honestly, the best advice I’ve ever received was from a t-shirt. “Just Do It!” Nike’s master stroke of advertising gives me the motivation to apply to jobs that I want, not just the ones my skills match, and it gives me the confidence to move on to the next posting, not worrying about what “they” think about my skills. I know what my skills are and if “they” don’t think I’m a match, I’ll just channel my inner Big Foot, hop on my unicorn, and ride my rainbow to the next opportunity. I’ll “just do it” and “take the shot." Unlike Gretzky though, I only need to score once to win!
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