Roles and experience

[Clippy]

Do you/have you applied for roles (contract or permie) which are/have been 'above/outside' your experience/skillset?

In the past, I've not done this even though, based on the job spec, it has seemed like a role I felt I could do but going by the rate/salary and job title I have not pursued as I've thought I'm not qualified.

Curious to see what others have done and how it panned out.

N.B. This isn't a disguised 'should I lie on my CV' thread.

[The Wikir Man]

Yes - there are plenty of roles that I know from the description I could do, but I don't have the exact skills to do them. I have similar work (maybe on an earlier version), so have no qualms about pushing it.

I don't lie to the agent or the client. I am up front about my experience and limitations. But if you don't put yourself forward for the roles, it's highly unlikely that anyone else will.

[SueEllen]

Yes- However you are more likely to get the role in a booming market.

[Scrag Meister]

Personally I avoid exagerating my skills or experience and definitely wouldn't lie saying I have experience in something I haven't done.

Currently up for a job that could involve some java in the future, the client is fully aware that I had a couple of years c++ 7 years ago and zero java but is still interested.

A previous colleague of mine in my perm days read about MSMQ for about half an hour and stuck it on his CV. Got a perm role doing it and was sussed after about 6 weeks and dismissed.

[rootsnall]

A previous colleague of mine in my perm days read about MSMQ for about half an hour and stuck it on his CV. Got a perm role doing it and was sussed after about 6 weeks and dismissed.

6 weeks paid training, well done.

[AngelOfTheNorth]

6 weeks paid training, well done.

I like how you look at things ...... no seriously ....... I really do.

[rootsnall]

I like how you look at things ...... no seriously ....... I really do.

Thanks. I'm too chicken/lazy to try blagging these days but I have got away with some very lucrative semi truths in the past. I'd say it is more difficult in this job market also.

[facboy]

agree with wikir etc...don't believe in exaggerating or lying on the CV, but by all means apply for the jobs. worst thing that can happen is that they say no.

you know, most job descriptions you look at (hell, even ones that you write) are wishlists. you'd *love* if you found a person who ticked every box, but they probably wouldn't work for the money that you're offering . i think the 'real' requirements are usually about 20% of what's on the stated requirements, ie, they'll 'make do' if you only have that 20%. difficulty is working out what that 20% is of course, but luckily, you don't have to! just send your cv in and let them decide.