{"id":2970,"date":"2021-10-25T04:00:57","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T08:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-01.ziprecruiter.com\/blog\/?p=15346"},"modified":"2021-10-25T04:00:57","modified_gmt":"2021-10-25T08:00:57","slug":"heres-what-to-say-in-a-cover-letter-when-youre-not-totally-qualified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/heres-what-to-say-in-a-cover-letter-when-youre-not-totally-qualified\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s What to Say in a Cover Letter When You\u2019re Not Totally Qualified"},"content":{"rendered":"

5 Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd Even if You May Not Be the Obvious Choice\u2014With Examples<\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019re <\/span>searching for a new job<\/span><\/a>, when suddenly you find \u201cthe one.\u201d The job you just <\/span>know<\/span><\/i> you\u2019d love. There\u2019s only one small catch: you\u2019re not exactly qualified for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s the years of experience or a particular desirable skill that is listed, there\u2019s at least one piece of the puzzle that makes you think<\/span> you are underqualified<\/span>. Generally, at this point, you\u2019d close your laptop, sigh deeply, and then move on with your life, but the job just seems <\/span>too<\/span><\/i> great. You need to at least give it your best shot and apply.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to your resume, there are a few things you can do, like rearrange it to be a skills-based resume that focuses on your most relevant skills and experience rather than a chronological retelling of your roles. (You can find a <\/span>skills-based resume template here<\/span><\/a>.) Your cover letter is a different story. It\u2019s a great opportunity to share a little bit more of your journey, explain why you want this position, and convince the hiring manager that despite appearances, you\u2019re actually a perfect fit for the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

Doing all of that when you already feel a little unfit for the gig can definitely be a challenge. But don\u2019t panic! Here\u2019s what you need to know about your cover letter when you\u2019re applying for a job that seems a little out of reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Analyze Your Expectations<\/span><\/h3>\n

Be honest with yourself about whether attempting to get this job is realistic.\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Alright, first things first, it\u2019s time to get real. It’s great to look around and expand outside of your comfort zone and throw your hat into the ring for opportunities that seem like a (reasonable) stretch. However, it’s not the best use of your time to\u00a0 write a <\/span>cover letter for a job you are not qualified for<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, before even opening up a new document and attempting to crank out the perfect cover letter, you need to be honest with yourself. Is this truly something you should be applying for or is it way outside the realm of possibility?<\/span><\/p>\n

If we\u2019re talking about a case where you\u2019re a year or two short of the experience they\u2019d like to have, then go for it! Maybe you consider yourself proficient in Excel but you\u2019re not at that expert level they say they\u2019re looking for. In the grand scheme of things, that\u2019s not a huge deal.<\/span><\/p>\n

But if it seems like the requirement is essential for the job, you may want to reconsider. <\/span>For example<\/span>, if the position is asking for a sales executive with seven to ten years of experience and you just graduated last May? You probably need a little more time to work your way up.<\/span><\/p>\n

This step might be a little discouraging, but it\u2019s important. After all, no amount of creative cover letter writing is going to be able to fill those <\/span>major<\/span><\/i> gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Focus On Relevancy First<\/span><\/h3>\n

Start off by talking about the experience you <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> have, rather than what you lack.<\/span><\/h4>\n

When you\u2019re already feeling a little self-conscious and underqualified, it can be tempting to start your cover letter off with something like, \u201cI know I\u2019m not at all what you\u2019re looking for, but\u2026\u201d Read these words carefully: Do. Not. Do. That.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s absolutely no point in drawing attention to your flaws or lack of <\/span>required experience<\/span> right off the bat. Either the hiring manager will see that and move on, or they\u2019ll be convinced to give you a shot based on the amazing cover letter you write. Calling out that you aren\u2019t qualified can only hurt you. Instead, use that precious cover letter space to describe what you <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> bring to the table\u2014by starting off with any relevant skills or experience you have.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comb through the job description and highlight the keywords and attributes that you fulfill. Then, emphasize those in the early part of your cover letter. It helps you start off with a bang by presenting yourself as a relevant, qualified candidate\u2014which is important for making your way to the top of the \u201cto be interviewed\u201d pile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Example<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you are a florist and applying to a job post that includes keywords like \u201centrepreneurial,\u201d \u201cefficiency,\u201d and \u201cdetail-oriented,\u201d here is <\/span>a sample<\/span> of how you could open:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter 3 years of running my own business, I am looking to join a team that encourages an entrepreneurial spirit while working together to solve large problems. I pride myself on the ability to look at processes and identifying how they could operate with more efficiency. I have found that the key is to be a detail-oriented person who takes the time to speak with all people involved, understand every step of a process, and then recommend new methods to save time and money.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that no employer really thinks they\u2019ll find an applicant who checks every box. A job description\u2019s <\/span>requirements<\/span> section is really more of a wishlist than a checklist. So, don\u2019t get discouraged by focusing on all of the criteria you don\u2019t meet. Instead, stay positive and draw attention to all of the positive qualities that make you a great fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Pull Out Key Accomplishments<\/span><\/h3>\n

Use numbers to show how you are able to achieve quantifiable results.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Here\u2019s an eternal truth: being great at what you do always translates, even if you\u2019re looking at a career shift to a completely different type of job. If you can show that you\u2019re someone who puts their all into projects to achieve the best possible results, hiring managers are sure to be impressed. This is why it\u2019s so important to consider specific, quantifiable achievements and write about them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Example<\/span><\/h3>\n

No matter what the role is, numbers help support your case as someone who drives results. Some <\/span>samples <\/span>could look like this:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Increased sales by 25% in one quarter\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Refined a process that streamlined efficiency and cut production time by five hours per week<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Organized a work event that raised $10,000 in donations for a local animal shelter<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Whatever it is, make sure you include some hard accomplishments, backed up by numbers, in your cover letter. Remember\u2014success and hard work are always transferable qualities.<\/span><\/p>\n

    4. Demonstrate Your Interest<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Let your passion shine through.<\/span><\/h4>\n

    There are people who will apply for any open position under the sun, no matter their <\/span>qualifications<\/span>. They desperately want a new job and will add their resume to the pile for any opportunity they can find\u2014just for the sake of applying. But, guess what? Hiring managers can spot that type of candidate from a mile away.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You don\u2019t want to be seen as one of those people. So, you need to adequately share your passion for, or interest in, this particular position.Think about how you would answer these questions: Why do you want this job? What attracted you to the position or the company?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Example<\/span><\/h3>\n

    These <\/span>samples<\/span> show how you can communicate your knowledge of the industry and passion for the role:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • My love of the fashion industry goes back to my high school days when I would live tweet your brand\u2019s shows. I\u2019ll always be partial to the Spring 2017 Ready-To-Wear collection.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • I have 5 years of experience as a cybersecurity project manager facilitating communication between our engineers and sales team. As someone who has used your company\u2019s industry-leading software, my ability to simplify technology concepts for non-engineers, would be a great asset for this client-facing role.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      This is an essential piece of information to share in your cover letter. It emphasizes that\u2014even if you don\u2019t meet every single requirement\u2014you\u2019ll bring a strong passion and positive attitude to work every day. The great thing about that? It\u2019s something that simply can\u2019t be taught.<\/span><\/p>\n

      5. Finish Strong<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Highlight how your different perspective and enthusiasm makes you someone they\u2019ll want to meet with.<\/span><\/h4>\n

      Ending your cover letter can present a new challenge. How do you wrap everything up and inspire the hiring manager to reach out for an interview? Conclude with a sentence that recognizes you\u2019re bringing something a little different to the position\u2014but that you\u2019re confident you\u2019ll still have a positive impact. Then include a strong call to action for the employer to reach out and set up a time to chat.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Example<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Here is <\/span>a sample<\/span> of how you may want to conclude your cover letter:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u201cI look forward to talking with you about how my diverse skills and experience can benefit your organization.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      Nobody ever feels like they\u2019re absolutely perfectly suited for a position that they\u2019re applying for. But, when you feel particularly underqualified? Well, it\u2019s a surefire way to walk into the hiring process with a bad attitude and a load of self-doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Shake it off and use your cover letter to show what a qualified candidate you are! Use these tips, and you\u2019re well on your way.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Not sure you’re qualified for the job? Use your cover letter to open the door. Here’s how.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,7,160,33,19,45,38,161],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-candidate","category-career-advice","category-cover-letter","category-employer","category-job-search","category-resume","category-tips-advice","category-weakness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2970"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2974,"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2970\/revisions\/2974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jerome1greene.x10host.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}