MUST have 3 years experience

WhiteWalls

Is there any point in applying for jobs when it says that you must have a certain amount of experience in a particular area when you have none whatsoever?

danthefan

Without knowing what the thing is, how vital it is to the role, and whether you'd be able to pick it up quickly or not - you've nothing to lose by applying.

Itsallrelative

If you have no experience whatsoever, and it's a fundamental skill for the role (eg. a teaching job and you've never taught anyone anything in your life), then no, there's probably no point.

If it's a secondary skill (eg. the teaching job also wants someone with 3 years teaching in primary schools, but you have always taught in high schools) then the company might be able to overlook it.

You can often take the requirements list with a pinch of salt as there's normally some element of flexibility there. If you believe you would be great at the job then apply away - as dan says, you won't lose anything

Eoin

WhiteWalls wrote: »

Is there any point in applying for jobs when it says that you must have a certain amount of experience in a particular area when you have none whatsoever?

Do you have transferable skills or experience that could make up for having no experience in this particular job?

The job spec is normally pretty aspirational, so I wouldn't worry too much about ticking every box on it (for example, I don't have a degree but that's never been an issue for roles that say one is required).

But experience is normally one of the more important points that someone will be looking for, so if you don't have any at all then I think you'd need to be able to tell them that you do have other experience or skills that will make up for it.

Itsallrelative wrote:

You can often take the requirements list with a pinch of salt as there's normally some element of flexibility there.

Well put - and if you did happen to meet every single requirement, then there's a chance that you're looking at a role where you may not learn much.

DesertCreat_15

Is it the job with working with youth by any chance ?

WhiteWalls

DesertCreat_15 wrote: »

Is it the job with working with youth by any chance ?

Haha, ya it is. I presume there will be plenty applying?

DesertCreat_15

Not too sure, though I can guarantee that that requirement will be checked! :P

DesertCreat_15

I believe your experience is required to be listed on the app form as well as stating that everything you fill in is truthful. Should be a case that you are found out to be telling porkies, there is a chance it could destroy your chances of successfully applying for other careers with that particular recruitment agency !

titan18

I tend to send a cv and in the cover letter addressing why I think I'd be suitable despite lacking the experience.

I've even sent in Cvs for jobs with 5 or more years experience, and said that whilst I'm not suitable for a role this senior at the moment, is there anything more junior available that I could be suitable for.

I've gotten some interviews out of it

ABajaninCork

My husband applied for a role which demanded a particular skill. Not many people have it. But he did have transferable skills in another discipline and stacks of experience. He didn't even want to apply for the job, as he thought he would have no chance. So I pushed him to apply...

Guess what? He got the job. And his employer also trained him in the particular skill they wanted, along with other equally useful skills.

I'd apply and emphasise what transferable skills you have, and that you are eager to learn new skills in order to advance your career.

Good luck!

Maphisto

WhiteWalls wrote: »

Is there any point in applying for jobs when it says that you must have a certain amount of experience in a particular area when you have none whatsoever?

This has always struck me (although I'm probably alone) as a form of age discrimination. I see some adverts for jobs that request surprising levels of experience e.g. kitchen porter 5 years experience.

Anyway as others have said what have you to lose, just emphasise any transferable sklls.

I wish you well.

bootybouncer

danthefan wrote: »

Without knowing what the thing is, how vital it is to the role, and whether you'd be able to pick it up quickly or not - you've nothing to lose by applying.

was thinking the same myself............is one going for the night duty or day ??

WhiteWalls

bootybouncer wrote: »

was thinking the same myself............is one going for the night duty or day ??

If you were a bit less inexperienced would you be better off going for the night one? I can't seem to download the adobe document even though i'v installed adobe

DesertCreat_15

Going by your PM, you're definitely not inexperienced for the night position!

2Mad2BeMad

yup, joke to be honest
3 years experience for a job as a sales assistant? really , 3 years? a week maybe two tops if your abit slow and you would know all their is too know about been a sales assistant, how to use the tils, stock , clean and price
how do they expect young people to gain any experience if no one is giving out any opportunity's

Mr. Loverman

It depends on the wording of the job.

I used to hire for QA positions and I used to state "x years in a QA role (not localization)".

People who only had localization experience used to apply...

If their cover letter sold themselves to me ("I know you said no localization, but I'm actually very technical and a total perfectionist blah blah") I might consider them but no one ever did that. In the bin they went.

So I think if you are able to sell yourself it is worth a shot. But if the job says something like "MUST have three years experience. No exceptions!" then obviously you'd be wasting your time.

alexlyons

I'm hoping to move job and I applied for a job the other day that required 3 years experience and I have none in the area. Got a phone call the same day which was a phone interview, and at the end they asked me to come in for an interview. They said the lack of experience was a bit of an issue but really they wanted someone with the right attitude etc.

Ended up not going for the interview as I have secured a better job, but moral of that story is just apply, you have absolutely zero to loose. Whats the worst that can happened? They call you and ask why you applied with no experience? They won't waste their time doing that! If you just get no response, it doesn't really matter. Apply for everything.

PLL

Ageism is a serious problem in Ireland. I've been told (yes I know it is illegal) that I haven't got a job because I'm too young. I've gone in with plenty more skill and experience than other people but if an employer wants someone in their 50's you don't stand a chance. It was disheartening at first, and It was hard to understand why people didn't appreciate how skilled I was in the specific area, but I had to take it with a pinch of salt. There is nothing I can do. It is wrong as are many things with the country.

2Mad2BeMad

PLL wrote: »

Ageism is a serious problem in Ireland. I've been told (yes I know it is illegal) that I haven't got a job because I'm too young. I've gone in with plenty more skill and experience than other people but if an employer wants someone in their 50's you don't stand a chance. It was disheartening at first, and It was hard to understand why people didn't appreciate how skilled I was in the specific area, but I had to take it with a pinch of salt. There is nothing I can do. It is wrong as are many things with the country.

normally its the other way around
When I go for interviews, the first thing the employer says to me is I am looking for someone young (if its a physical job), I'm young so thats one of the reasons I got the interviews

DesertCreat_15

Did you apply for that position in the end, whitewalls ??
And if so, did you receive any correspondence from them yet?

bootybouncer

DesertCreat_15 wrote: »

Did you apply for that position in the end, whitewalls ??
And if so, did you receive any correspondence from them yet?

its public jobs so it will take a while id imagine

red_bairn

I was told by one of the top DELL execs in Ireland that 1-3yrs experience is a load of bull and to apply to all the jobs I can.