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Editor’s Note: This story was originally FlexJobs.com.
You did a good introductory chat and passed the first three questions, but the interviewer was caught off guard that your education didn’t match the qualifications listed in the job ad. rice field.
Before your enthusiasm cools down, take a deep breath.
If the recruiter bothered to interview you in the first place, they obviously want to know more.
In fact, it can be an opportunity to show off your problem-solving abilities and show that you are the right person for the job, even if you lack experience or skills.
And realistically, this is most likely what the interviewer wants to see.
Discuss growth opportunities
It’s important to remember that even if you don’t have all the qualifications listed in the job ad, you likely have other skills and qualities that are perfect for the role.
Don’t be afraid to focus on them instead.
So what do you do when the interviewer points out that you don’t quite match your qualifications?
Consider using the following strategies.
1. Keep calm and don’t take it personally
When an interviewer points out a skill set or qualification you lack, it’s easy to take things personally.
However, it’s important to remember that the interviewer is simply doing their job and trying to see if you’re the best fit.
After all, they may need to justify their employment choices to someone else.
So what should you do if the interviewer points out a qualification you don’t have? Even if you don’t have specific qualifications, help explain to your boss why you’re a good fit for the job.
For example, say you’re applying for a job that requires experience with a particular software program that you’ve never used before.
If so, you can explain how your extensive experience in other programs can help. give you transferable skills I had to learn new software quickly.
The ability to think on your feet and provide well-founded explanations will help balance the missing qualifications.
2. Always be honest
to be Honesty is always the best policy, especially when it comes to job interviews. If the interviewer asks you about certain qualifications that you don’t have, you don’t have to falsify your answers or make up fake experiences.
The interviewer will see through it, but it will only hurt you.
Instead, use the question as an opportunity to show your willingness to learn and grow. Talk about how you acquired the necessary skills and why you think you can succeed in the role even if you don’t have all the required qualifications.
Being open and honest shows that you are a person of integrity.
3. Shift the focus of the discussion
Instinct may rouse your defenses, but a better tactic is to simply admit the problem and move on. can.
For example, if an interviewer said:
“We are looking for someone with 3 years of experience in this field, but you only have 2 years on your resume. How do you think that will affect your ability to do this job?”
Your reaction might sound like this:
“You’re right. This ad requires 3 years of experience. I only have 2, but I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and skills in the last 2 years.” [X, Y, and Z].
“Plus, I’m sure you can learn anything you need to know on the job. Can you tell us more about what your day-to-day job entails?”
How refocus works
It contains some important components.
First, admit the interviewer is right — you don’t have the required experience.
But please follow up soon and discuss the skills and knowledge you have to be successful in the role.
Finally, return the focus of the discussion to the job itself and show your willingness to learn more about the position.
4. Ask for clarification
If you don’t know what the interviewer is looking for, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. This will help you organize your thoughts and give well-founded answers.
For example, if an interviewer is concerned that you don’t have long experience solving complex problems, but doesn’t know what they consider “difficult”, you can say: increase.
“Could you give me an example of the type of customer service issue you are talking about?”
Doing this allows us to provide better and more detailed answers on how to deal with it.
5. Emphasize your strengths
Even if you don’t have all the qualifications required for the job, you bring a lot to the table. That’s why I landed in the interview in the first place.
If the interviewer points out a shortcoming in your qualifications, use it as an opportunity to highlight one of your strengths instead.
For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job that requires good written communication skills, but your experience is primarily in face-to-face customer service.
If so, you can explain how your one-on-one interaction with people helped you improve your communication skills.
By focusing on your strengths, you can show interviewers that you are a qualified candidate even if you don’t have all the required qualifications.
How to Highlight Your Strengths: Examples
Another way to answer is to highlight relevant skills and experiences, even if they are not directly related to your job. for example:
“I may not have direct experience working in that industry. [X] I have acquired many valuable skills through my work in the field. [Y] A field that I believe transfers well.I also have a strong interest in [X] Keep up with field and industry news and developments. ”
This answer shows that you know what the job entails and are thinking about your skills and abilities. Use your experience in your roleeven if they don’t exactly match.
It also shows that you are proactive and resourceful. These are two qualities that an employer would like to see in a potential employee.
6. End on a positive note
No matter how you respond, it’s essential to end on a positive note. For example, you can say:
“Thank you for your time today and I look forward to further discussions on this opportunity. I am confident that I have the necessary skills and abilities to excel in this role. We look forward to the opportunity to prove it.”
It shows that you’re still interested in the job, despite any flaws the interviewer may have pointed out. This is always good.
Fine-tune your interview skills
If you have an interview coming up for your dream job, one of the best ways to make sure you’re ready to stand out from the competition is to Mock interview practice.
You can try it with a friend or family member who has interviewed, a professional career coach, or someone from your university’s career center.
Preparation makes a big difference in whether you get the job or not.