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How to Interview for a Job You are Underqualified for

Posted by Micah Abraham | Job Interview Tips | 2 comments

When you are unemployed, you try anything to find employment. You will apply to jobs you have no interest in, you will apply to jobs where you are a perfect
fit, and you will apply to jobs that you have no chance of winning.

What happens, though, when you get asked to interview for the job you thought there was no chance you could win? You still want the job, and though you
are underqualified on paper it is clear that the employer felt that you had something to bring, otherwise you would not have been called in for the interview.
Below are some interview tips for job interviews you are underqualified for.

Job Interview Tips

Prepare Like Crazy

The reason you are underqualfiied is because you do not have the experience that you believe is necessary to fill the role. You cannot gain those experiences
before the interview, so your best bet is to wow them with your ability to answer interview questions. Practice answering every question with the best answe
possible and try to wow them with your interview skills.

Study Up On Skills
If you are underqualified for the role, chances are there are a lot of skills that you do not yet have. For example, perhaps they are looking for someone with a
great deal of leadership experience, and you have never held more than an entry level job. There is not a lot you can do. What you can do is make sure that
you are as up to date as possible with the knowledge that you do have. Refresh yourself in programs you have used, remind yourself of relevant terminology,
etc. The stronger you can be on the knowledge you do know, the more what you are missing will be ignored.

Act Like You Deserve the Job

Never give the impression that you are somehow not worthy of the position, or the interviewer might realize that you do not have the qualifications and you
will immediately ruin your employment chances. You should always act like the job was made for you. This includes asking for a salary commensurate with
the work involved. Don’t undersell your services simply because you really want the job.

Don’t Look for Excuses

When people are not qualified for a position, they often try to overstate irrelevant experience as a way to make it sound as though they have more experience
than they do. Don’t fall into that trap. If you don’t have knowledge in an area then you don’t have knowledge. That’s okay. If you try to relate experiences that
are barely related, if at all, you will only look like you are reaching.

Bring a Portfolio
Nothing says professional like a portfolio of documents relevant to the position. If you can prove that you have the knowledge and abilities to succeed in the
position, your shortcomings are far more likely to be overlooked and you will be able to establish greater credibility.

Take Things in Stride

If you know you are not qualified for the position, do everything in your power to win the job but understand that things may not be meant to be. Also, once
you get the job, do your best to learn. If the same things that made you underqualified make it hard for you to do your role, try your best to learn these skills
and know that it impact your employment.
Take Away Interview Tips

Act like you are qualified for all jobs you interview for.
Practice like crazy for the interview to impress employers.

TAGS: Company Research Find Employment How To Inter view Inter view Strategies Soft Skills Underqualified

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2 Comments
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a · Reply
May 13, 2011 at 12:38 AM

Thanks, this is a great article. I couldn’t find much on the web about this particular topic.

Micah · Reply
May 18, 2011 at 3:21 PM

Thanks! Glad it helped. We’re still catching up on post topics around here but if you ever can’t find something feel free and
drop us an email.

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