Has anyone taken a job that they're unqualified for? How did that work out?

nanette1985

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 2005
4,209
2
0
I mean seriously unqualified, inexperienced, and unsuitable? Big time?

I just got offered a job that is ridiculously inappropriate for me. It's way out of my zone, but these days, a job is a job.

Success stories? Disaster stories? Anything?
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
I know someone who faked her way into a job for Sesame Street doing German translations despite not knowing any German. Needless to say, hilarity ensued and the job did not last long.
 

fatpat268

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2006
5,853
0
71
I wouldn't say unqualified (as I got trained), but I took a job completely out of my comfort zone. My previous job was essentially a desk job where I pretty much sat down all day, and now my current job is driving around industrial equipment inside a warehouse for 10-12 hours a day on my feet. I'm about a month and a half on the job, and I feel like I'm just now getting used to it.

If that counts...
 

LookBehindYou

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2010
2,412
1
81
Take it, if by unqualified, you mean you just don't know it, welcome to most of the jobs out there.

You'll learn, if not, it'll be a fun ride at least.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,276
1,783
126
I've never applied for a job that I didn't think I was qualified for.

The closest I've come to taking a job that I'm not qualified job was when I took a Software Developer position (working in Tuxedo, Ab Initio, and lots of scripting in ksh.) I had no degree, and I had been doing lots of work with the ksh and sql, but hadn't touched C in years, and had no idea even what Ab Initio was at all. Anyhow, it worked out pretty well, picked right back up on the C and became pretty efficient with the Ab Initio as it was a piece of cake to code most of our jobs.
 

D1gger

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,411
2
76
When I changed careers at 31 years old, I moved from a big corporate job selling and supporting computers, to a small business, estimating and managing construction projects. I was totally uneducated about the industry, but many of the skills were transferable, such as people managing, project management and negotiating. It was an uphill battle for the first year, gaining the respect of the people that worked for me, and getting to know the industry, but over 20 years later, I now own and run the business.
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
It could work, it could not work. Many jobs can be done adequately by someone who is a quick learner and applies himself even with no prior experience. I would think about what skills are required and how well I match up. Some employers will give off a vibe regarding at what level they expect the person to perform from day 1.

My last job was one in which I had zero experience and the offer was to be the manager of the group. I figured it this way... the group itself was experienced, there was no major upheaval in what was to be done, so I took it and did well. I worked like a dog learning the terminology and priniciples of the field, and focused on how to improve the process and results rather than learning every nut and bolt of how they did the work because the group already knew that part. When someone new started, I assigned another person to mentor them through the details. I never tried to fake it, though... that just makes you look like a phony.

On the other hand, I would not take a job as a mechanic because I know that's a job I could not do well at no matter how hard I worked at it. My skills are not a good match.

If you think you have the basic skills to succeed, and you feel the company's expectations are reasonable (in other words, you will have time to ramp up to speed), then go for it! What's the worst that can happen?

Remember, even if you are a complete failure, you can put that position on your resume and now you have experience in that field! :)
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
I interviewed for one and the interviewer even seemed interested in possibly hiring me. But I knew I would be in over my head if I took the job and I told him that.

I probably would have taken it, but I had already been offered a different job that I knew I was qualified for, so I didn't want to pass up on that.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Really depends on what it is...I once was an administrative assistant for a bank and they wanted a business degree plus banking experience, neither of which I had. It worked out fine.

What kind of job, OP?
 

nanette1985

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 2005
4,209
2
0
Really depends on what it is...I once was an administrative assistant for a bank and they wanted a business degree plus banking experience, neither of which I had. It worked out fine.

What kind of job, OP?

Corporate management. Web marketing, which I know, but I'm way out of my element when it comes to accomplishing anything in a corporate setting.

Also I have some health issues. No idea how I could possibly get it all together.

Disaster? Probably. But still, it's a job. I'm thinking about it.
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
The ball stops within 5 minutes of the initial phone interview. We don't hire dummies around here.
 

sourceninja

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2005
8,805
65
91
I got my first IT job in internet tech support. I didn't even own a computer at the time. I just bluffed my way into the job.
 
Feb 6, 2007
16,432
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At my last job, I was hired to be an administrator of a fundraising database software package despite having never heard of the software, having never worked in a non-profit organization, and never having actually applied for the job in question. By all accounts, it worked out extremely well, in part because I was able to learn the software very quickly. "Unqualified for" is not the same as "unable to do."
 

TecHNooB

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2005
7,458
1
76
I took 1 semester of C and 1/3rd of a semester in Java. Now I'm knee deep in windows programming, C++, python, etc :p Just give it your best shot and see what happens.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
1
0
I wish I could be in your shoes....

I have been to a few job interviews and prospective interview meetings lately. They all pretty much said the same thing..."I like your attitude, you could be a good fit, but you are just not experienced enough". The entry level jobs say I am over qualified, the 3-5 years experience jobs say I am not qualified enough. Seems like the only jobs I can get are in consulting in the civil/architecture field. Honestly, if I worked one more day at that field, I would shoot myself. But at this point, it looks like I may have no choice...and since I do not have a gun, I may have to work in that field again.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
It always pays to at least interview. If you can pass that then chances are it's not beyond you.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
1
0
It always pays to at least interview. If you can pass that then chances are it's not beyond you.

Exactly...This why I always tell people to apply even if you do not fully meet the requirements. Obviously, if you are an Electrical Engineer, there is no way it would work if you wanted to become a molecular scientist and even if HR wanted to interview you, the people who run show would not let you go any further.
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,737
126
I mean seriously unqualified, inexperienced, and unsuitable? Big time?

I just got offered a job that is ridiculously inappropriate for me. It's way out of my zone, but these days, a job is a job.

Success stories? Disaster stories? Anything?

fake it till u make it.

1st 2 weeks dont talk to anyone. spend EVERY minute learning about your new job!

and whats your new job?
 

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,187
126
I mean seriously unqualified, inexperienced, and unsuitable? Big time?

I just got offered a job that is ridiculously inappropriate for me. It's way out of my zone, but these days, a job is a job.

Success stories? Disaster stories? Anything?

How do you move up then?
 

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
0
0
Theres a difference between outside your comfort zone and not in any way qualified for.

I dont know if I would want a job I wasnt qualified for because if you dont get up to speed quickly you wont have the job long.
 

xalos

Senior member
May 31, 2002
292
0
76
As long as you didn't completely over exaggerate your abilities or make things up, I wouldn't worry about it. Even if you are a complete stud in your field, you're going to be a little out of your element in a new workplace. I would just accept the job, try to stay as healthy as possible, and keep a good attitude (which is the most important trait in new hire IMO).
 

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
0
i'm overqualified for any position i apply for. oh yes, i am THAT good.

i knew a gurl who once got into a presitigous consulting company by lying her assss off on her resume. needless to say she couldnt handle it. in fact she cried when she couldnt get the project work done . lulz