A word from a Corporate Hiring Manager

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by gardener34

In other words, do not bother to apply for a position unless you have about 90% of the qualifications listed. I used this rule of thumb and got interviews for most positions I applied for 2 years ago while unemployed.

What kind of burns me is "experience with XXX is a plus" WELL do we need experience with XXX or NOT? What it says to me (with the fearsome competition out there): DO NOT bother to apply unless you have experience with XXX because there is definitely someone out there that has experience with XXX.

Great tips and insight from the original post.

Well, if you have 90% of the qualifications then you probably are way ahead of the other candidates. But this normally isn't the case especially with "additional skills is a plus." I do on occasion get a resume which seems to have it all. But not often. So I'd recommend still applying if lets say 70% of the requirements are met. It doesn't hurt to try. I've been hired for positions around that number for example. I know we've brought other people in with 70%+ of the requirements. You just never will know who you are or are not competing against for any given job.

Derek

[Z3N1TH 0N3]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Well, if you have 90% of the qualifications then you probably are way ahead of the other candidates. But this normally isn't the case especially with "additional skills is a plus." I do on occasion get a resume which seems to have it all. But not often. So I'd recommend still applying if lets say 70% of the requirements are met. It doesn't hurt to try. I've been hired for positions around that number for example. I know we've brought other people in with 70%+ of the requirements. You just never will know who you are or are not competing against for any given job.

Derek

Thanks for sharing this information, Derek. It's a great help to many of us on the prowl for a new job. I think what a lot of us find frustrating is applying for positions and never hearing back from the company. It makes you wonder what you can do better, if anything.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Z3N1TH 0N3

Thanks for sharing this information, Derek. It's a great help to many of us on the prowl for a new job. I think what a lot of us find frustrating is applying for positions and never hearing back from the company. It makes you wonder what you can do better, if anything.

Yep, been there done that myself. I was never handed a corporate job on a platter. I went to those job fairs and passed out my resume, never heard back from a soul. It felt like some kind of black hole or meaningless process (at the time). And I even applied to my current company on a number of occasions without hearing back.

I had to start small and work my way up. And the dot com crash was a rough ride, let me tell you. The key is to keep plugging along. Don't expect to go from A to Z right away. I'll use the IT field as an example since that is what I'm in. Let's say your goal is to work for Google, Apple or Oracle some day. Well, you send them your resume and guess what? Nothing, that's what!

Well, ask yourself this question. What is it that Oracle is really looking for, I mean specifics, what types of skills, technologies are they after? Now go and find a way to learn those skills at smaller companies or with temporary positions, etc... Skill building is the key. Fill your resume with quality experiences and you will be surprised what happens. And it may take several jobs and years to get to that point. But when you make a move make sure it is a strategic one. Don't just go for the money first, but rather look for the best opportunity to gain valuable experience. Then the rest will follow.

Derek

[Tampa1228]

Thank you for taking the time to type this out and post it.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Tampa1228

Thank you for taking the time to type this out and post it.

You're welcome, glad to be of some help.

Derek