Job application question

[H2DaE]

OK so I've seen this job advertised on a website and printed off the information pack and application form. I was reading through the job description and everything they are looking for i have in abundance skills and experience wise. It's a very similar to what I'm doing and by looking at what the job entails I'm more than capable of doing the job.

The only snagging point is that under the qualifications bit it says 'degree or equivalent'. Now I'm not being funny but it's not the kind of job you need a degree to do and as said it's not at all dissimilar to what i'm doing at the minute, just better money

My question is do you reckon it would be worthwhile applying for the job anyway as i have all the skills and lots more experience than they are asking for or would my application go straight in the bin as i don't have a degree?

it doesn't even say what degree, wonder if i can buy one off the internet

[Fantango]

Apply anyway mate, I did and was the best candidate due to experience, so I got the job

[H2DaE]

Fantango said:

Apply anyway mate, I did and was the best candidate due to experience, so I got the job

Did the job you applied for ask for a degree?

[Planet Claire]

When I worked for a short while in an HR office the 'or equivalent' could refer to experience in the job. They shouldn't discrimate you because you don't have a degree and I would recommend that you apply anyway.

[H2DaE]

Cheers guys, I'll be filling in the form tonight then and pointing out all the experience i have

[BigAlinEmbra]

Planet Claire said:

When I worked for a short while in an HR office the 'or equivalent' could refer to experience in the job. They shouldn't discrimate you because you don't have a degree and I would recommend that you apply anyway.

What I was going to say. If there's a section where you can write a statement in support of your app, rather than just filling in facts like job history or qualifications, use that to say how the practical experience you've got would make you good for the job.
Look at the key aspects of the job description, then say in your own words how what you do currently (or have done) would enable you to meet that requirement.

Personally I'm not a fan of folk just battering their current job description into applications, as often a job varies from the description due to the person in the role. Also, it's quite common that a job description uses terms specific to the organisation it relates to and isn't a great deal of use to those outwith the org.

[H2DaE]

BigAlinEmbra said:

If there's a section where you can write a statement in support of your app, rather than just filling in facts like job history or qualifications, use that to say how the practical experience you've got would make you good for the job.
Look at the key aspects of the job description, then say in your own words how what you do currently (or have done) would enable you to meet that requirement..

There is a section where you have to describe why you are interested in the job and what skills, experience and qualifications you would bring to the role (It's a standard form to cover all roles within the company so has sections for bits that aren't relevant to the job too)

BigAlinEmbra said:

Personally I'm not a fan of folk just battering their current job description into applications, as often a job varies from the description due to the person in the role. Also, it's quite common that a job description uses terms specific to the organisation it relates to and isn't a great deal of use to those outwith the org.

What do you mean by "I'm not a fan of folk just battering their current job description into applications, as often a job varies from the description due to the person in the role"?

[Mr POD]

It's the Equivalent bit that matters. I assume you've got years of experience plus weeks of on and off the job training, so It's how you present what you've achieved and compare it to the job spec so where it says :

The job requires you to do a, and you say : I've had x years experience in designing systems in 9 companies to do a.

[BigAlinEmbra]

H2DaE said:

BigAlinEmbra said:

If there's a section where you can write a statement in support of your app, rather than just filling in facts like job history or qualifications, use that to say how the practical experience you've got would make you good for the job.
Look at the key aspects of the job description, then say in your own words how what you do currently (or have done) would enable you to meet that requirement..

There is a section where you have to describe why you are interested in the job and what skills, experience and qualifications you would bring to the role (It's a standard form to cover all roles within the company so has sections for bits that aren't relevant to the job too)

BigAlinEmbra said:

Personally I'm not a fan of folk just battering their current job description into applications, as often a job varies from the description due to the person in the role. Also, it's quite common that a job description uses terms specific to the organisation it relates to and isn't a great deal of use to those outwith the org.

What do you mean by "I'm not a fan of folk just battering their current job description into applications, as often a job varies from the description due to the person in the role"?

I quite often get applications where people take their own job description and paste it wherever and whenever they can. Doesn't give you much confidence they actually understand what they do, whether they even do it and gives no idea of their communication skills.
Something actually written by the applicant themselves gives a far better idea of how articulate (or otherwise) they really are.
Somebody's job description might contain "assists with VAT reconciliations" for example. Very good, what do you actually do to assist, the recruiting manager asks themselves. Do you just collect all the paperwork? Do you find all the VAT numbers on the financial system then give them to somebody that can be trusted to add them up correctly? Maybe you do the whole shooting match then just give it to the boss to sign off.
All of those are possible, and very often (certainly in many of the places I've been) it's dependent on the person doing the job.

[Fantango]

H2DaE said:

Fantango said:

Apply anyway mate, I did and was the best candidate due to experience, so I got the job

Did the job you applied for ask for a degree?

yes, or equivalent experience, they just put that in there to suggest a level, as with everything it is not always a requirement, more of a desirable thing.