Resume question, yet again - (applying, application, applications, job)

[jenn02674]

So say I am applying to a job that i know i would be great at but one of the qualifications in the job description is that they want someone already familiar with a particular software that I haven't used. Should I address that in my cover letter? It is an HR software and I have no doubt in my mind that I could figure it out easily and contribute immediately. I am just wondering if I should say that in my cover letter (of course in a better way).

[aaauger]

Everyone who applies that doesn't have that software experience thinks they can figure it out easily. Do you have experience in something similar? If so, put THAT in your cover letter and on your resume. And keep your cover letter short so it will be read.

[bibit612]

My answer would be it depends.

It depends on how much of your job is dependent on that software. Is it PeopleSoft?

It depends on whether the job description says "required" vs. "preferred".

Personally, if a large proportion of the job entails use of an application I am not familiar with, I wouldn't go for the job, as I'm setting myself up for failure that way and my stay with that company is short term. I will either frustrate myself so much as to quit, or they will catch on and get rid of me. When these issues come up in a conversation with my recruiter, I became very specific about my questions. For example, I can write SQL code, and I'm a beginner at this. I tend to ask if the requirements are for SQL or SQL Server, two very different things. Generally, most job postings will just say SQL, and many recruiters don't know the difference. Visual Basic and Visual Basic Applications (VBA) are different. VBA for Excel is different from macros in Excel, and VBA for Microsoft Access is different from VBA Excel. Some applications are harder to learn than others. In my experience with PeopleSoft, the HR module is not that difficult. The financial application is a different story. It all depends whether you are doing payroll or simply attendance.

[jhlcomp]

Do whatever you can to get your hands on that sw - call the vendor if need be so that you can get some time using the package - this way you can honestly say you have used the software. If there is a will, there is a way. Yes, even if it's one of those million dollar pieces of sw. Good luck.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Originally Posted by jenn02674

So say I am applying to a job that i know i would be great at but one of the qualifications in the job description is that they want someone already familiar with a particular software that I haven't used. Should I address that in my cover letter? It is an HR software and I have no doubt in my mind that I could figure it out easily and contribute immediately. I am just wondering if I should say that in my cover letter (of course in a better way).

What software is it?

How important is it to the job?

[sinsativ]

State you learned software in the inception stage, that most software is similar now anyway. If you know the basics of one, then you can easily grasp the basics of another. Its like driving a car, the different locations and idiosyncracies of certain things will take a few days to get used to, but if you know the basics of HR, or Accounting, then the software they use is a moot point. They are all user friendly. Just ask whether its windows based or mac based, once you get past that hurdle, the rest is immaterial. If you know the name of the software, yes, you can do some research on it and easily pick up some pointers enough to wing it for an interview, and even possibly download a demo, if you are a computer literate person.