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I don't get it either. It's a ridiculous Catch-22. The company says, "We want X years of experience for whatever position." How do candidates gain experience unless someone is willing to hire them without it first? Then they remain unemployed because they have no experience in ANY position, then pile on another disadvantage due to gaps in employment. Then they still have no experience in whatever position they're applying for. Lather, rinse, repeat. I have great sympathy for currently unemployed people in our country.
This problem (the catch-22) has always existed, but it has quadrupled in size lately.
Looking at the big picture, for the first time in history, we have a unique quagmire with such a huge supply of relatively skilled workers combined with the record amount of outstanding debt individuals and businesses find themselves buried under. Generation Y is really the first generation to deal with this quagmire.
This not only stifles potential capital investment that would generate sufficient job growth, but it allows companies to be extra picky in who they choose for the few jobs they do create.
Yeah, it's true that past generations (baby boomers for example) faced the catch-22 that it takes experience to earn experience, but they were also around in a time where people and companies weren't buried up to their eyeballs in debt (and thus weren't afraid to make grandiose investments that lead to ample job creation) and only a very small portion of the workforce was skilled, which meant companies had to lower their expectations for the quality of employees they would find.
Apply. One never knows what will happen. Maybe the others who applied had less experience than you have. Plus another position may have opened in the interim.
HR was one of my father's jobs. He always said he asked for everything, knowing he wouldn't get it. Gave him lots of wiggle room on who he selected for the position.
Frankly one way around it is volunteering. Local governments can sometimes have endless boards, non profits look for assistance etc.
The other way around it is simply get a group of people that know how to do a given task. Say programming, accounting etc. You start up a non profit and undercut prices of what other firms would charge. Gradually that builds up a portfolio.
This then illustrates that people can work together, sell and make a portfolio.
In spite of certain criteria, I would rather have someone who is ambitious, eager to work, and learn, and applying when you might be slightly under-qualified, qualifies you as ambitious.
I hire (mostly) for attitude, then train for specific skills.
If you're WAY out of the ballpark, I'd vote no, though. However keep this in mind: some recruiters and hiring managers have friends and colleagues who do the same. While the one to whom you are applying might not have something for you, they may have colleagues who do. And, if you stand out, all the better.
Imagine this call between recruiter/hiring manager colleagues: "Imagine the coconuts on this guy. He was underqualified, but I thought I'd bring him in for a look-see. He's not a good fit for my current openings, but he had the balls to come in here and apply anyway. He was bright, articulate, asked good questions. Thought you might have something for him. . . ".
Just get out there and start applying! If you can hand deliver a resume or fill out the application at the companies human resource office you might make a good first impression just talking to the receptionist. I worked as a receptionist for an oil company and a young woman geologist brought in her resume. She was from South America and I knew one of our senior geologist might be interested in her resume because she could speak Spanish and they were drilling in her country. I called him down to the reception area and introduced them. He was thrilled that she came from the same country that he came from and was exploring for oil. He told her he needed a geologist that understood the land and people to secure leases, exploration activities, etc. She was hired the next week and was so grateful that I introduced her to her new boss. Back in those days, women had a hard time getting a job in a man's world. So don't just shoot resumes out into cyber world. Knock on doors, network, be flexible to working off shifts, and apply for anything that you think is related to your field. Every job is a building block to the next job. Also, sometimes you have to apply for a job in a town or state that is not your first choice. You might have a better chance applying in places that are less desirable vs. Hawaii or California! Good luck and don't get discouraged!
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