Number of Years of Experience Problem?
Mark Ikemoto
Former professional job search coach with a strong reputation for providing unique creative advice. Now I'm a part-time "hobbyist" writing about job search topics.
The Problem is Not a Problem
If a job ad/job description asks for X number of years of experience (YOE) but you have less than this but you still think you can do the job, this is an EXCELLENT situation.
??Huh??What?
?
The Reason
?Mindset.?
?You are now free to try things beyond the normal to get the hiring manager’s (HM) attention.
?BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.
?Do NOT try “crazy” things.
?So what should you try?
?Something that will directly address your YOE difference problem.
??
Job Candidate Analysis (JCA)
?The JCA is a separate document from your resume’.?Do not include your JCA in your resume’ else the JCA’s format might cause your resume’ to get rejected by the employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS).?Most ATS’s will allow you to submit extra files along with your resume’ including cover letters.?If necessary, you can submit your JCA as a cover letter.
?If you submit your JCA as a separate file from your resume’, you need to make sure the HM reads your JCA first before your resume'.?You do this by stating at the top of your resume’:
?----------------------
?<contact info>
?Applying for position:??XYZ job title, ABC Company
?To save you time,
please read my Job Candidate Analysis file first:??mark_ikemoto_JCA.docx.
Thank you.
?<rest of resume’>
?----------------------
??
JCA Details
?A JCA is like a T-format cover letter.?Google this if you don’t know what it is.
?But a JCA is more than just a T-format.
?To recap:
?You have less YOE than what is required.
?So you need to show that what YOE you do have meets all the requirements.
?Examples--
?Regular T-format:
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?Seeking position:?XYZ job title, ABC Company
?This position asks for 5 years of experience. But I feel I can meet the other job requirements with my 3 years of experience:
----------------------
This is good, but it could be better--
?Chronological T-format:
----------------------
?Seeking position:?XYZ job title, ABC Company
?This position asks for 5 years of experience. But I feel I can meet the other job requirements with my 3 years of experience:
----------------------
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The mismatch between ID numbers is intentional.?The ID numbers are to make the table easier to read for the examples.?There is no way you could have acquired experiences during your work life in the exact same order as the XYZ job description’s list of requirements ???.
?This version of the T-format is great because it directly addresses the YOE issue.
?It also shows how fast you acquired experiences and skills.?You are a dynamic person.
?And it shows that you’ve met all of the requirements.
??
No Experience?
?What do you say or do if you have no experience or transferable skills for a requirement??Example:
This is a much bigger issue than can be covered in this article.
?But here are some ideas--
?Replace the ??? with:
?1. Your plans for gaining that experience/knowledge/skill--?taking a class, talking to experts, etc.
?Or
?2. Why you think the requirement won’t be a priority.
?Or
?3. How you can gain that experience on the job.
Or (the best)
?4. Discuss this deficit with the HM.?Work out a compromise. Set expectations.?And at the same time, make a connection.?E.g., “Is there anyone on your team interested in doing requirements 4 and 7, and I can take over some of their tasks?”
?Don’t get blocked!????
??
Additional Strategies
?Sit Back and Relax?
You should submit your JCA with your resume’ when you apply for the job.
?Then sit back and relax???No.
?You did a lot of work on your JCA for the XYZ job.
?What else can you do with your JCA?
??
ATS Rejection
?Some ATS’s may automatically reject your resume’ because the ATS can tell from your resume’ that you don’t meet the job’s YOE requirement.
?So email your resume’ and JCA to ABC Company explaining your YOE situation.?The receiver of your email may forward your email message to the HM.?You never know.?It does happen.?And especially if they see the extra work you did creating your JCA.
?Send your email message to HR if possible, any internal or external recruiters trying to fill the XYZ position, or to a general ABC company email address.?Or all three!
??
LinkedIn!
Whether you get an ATS rejection or not, you can do the following.
It might even be BETTER if you DID get an ATS rejection! ??
Do this anyway because your problem isn't really an ATS problem. Your problem is a YOE problem.
Contact ABC Company people through LinkedIn Messaging, explain your situation, ask if they’d be willing to forward your resume’ and JCA to the HM.?Make it clear that you are NOT asking for a recommendation or a referral.?The job description requirements and/or ATS are unfairly preventing you from applying for the job.
?If the person won’t forward your resume’ and JCA to the HM, ask them if they can forward your LinkedIn message to someone on the HM’s team and ask them to forward to the HM if the HM’s team member thinks you look promising.
?You now have a real reason for “networking” with total strangers.
??
In Conclusion
?Don’t let the roadblocks stop you.?Create a new map.???
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2 年Hello Mike, This is the article I got a little lost in weeds reading . I will give it another go. I really want to understand this part: What do you say or do if you have no experience or transferable skills for a requirement??