Applying for a job without the experience required but

[zippitippitoes]

where you believe you have the skills/potential required..is this a non-starter

ie the job is assistant scheme manager (part time) for a very sheltered housing scheme, local authority..briefly involves introducing clients to the scheme, doing asessments of needs, liasing with relevant agencies, also managing security and maintenance, dealing with relatives and generally ensuring the smooth running of the accommodation and the wlefare of the residents.

I have the communication skills, ability to speak to agencies and "get things done", and also believe I am able to deal sensitively and efficiently with the customers, also have ability to research, use IT and work on my own initiative..but it is a long long time since I did direct and then only brief work with elderly people. Can I use my experience with looking after my own mother and dealing with services and support as relevant..or am I chasing rainbows and should not consider applying.

My Cv is odd when it comes to job applications too much learning and not enough work, although I have had my own business for 5 years...

Does anybody have any experience to help me?

[zippitippitoes]

preview

haven't the practical experience

[SoupDragon]

Absolutely nothing to lose. Write a good covering letter to go with your CV.

[zippitippitoes]

I think I'll give it a go I just had a vision of personnel being exasperated and chucking it straight in the bin..

[SoupDragon]

Sell yourself and when writing what experience you do have, relate it to what they're looking for.

[crunchie]

The worst that could happen is they chuck it in the bin, the best is that you get the job Nothing to lose really

[DissLocated]

I used to work in HR/recruitment until a few months ago. If it's just the experience you lack it's worth going for. Try and give relevant examples from your previous experience. If you've got a job description and person spec this will tell you what they're looking for, tailor your application to their requirements (sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many people don't)

Qualifications can be a stumbling block sometimes as they may be a statutory requirement. If they're asking for quals you haven't got it's worth ringing them up, explaining your situation and asking if you can still apply.

IME, from a employer's point of view, most recruitment exercises are depressingly fruitless. You write a jd/ps optomistically thinking of the ideal candidate, by the time you get to interview it looks like a hopeless pipedream and you end up employing the only person who looks vaguely sensible! If you present yourself as professional, credible and intelligent you're probably in with a reasonable chance.

[zippitippitoes]

It states that if you don't have either NNEB, wardens certicicte or carers BTEC which are preferable then a willingness to train is acceptable..rather uselessly I do have a degree, quite a few other academic qualifications and a PGCE..so engineering is required..it may in this case be an advantage that I am "mature"

Job descriptions always look impossible to attain, especially when compared with the pay involved, Crunchie.

[zippitippitoes]

Sorry Disslocated

[DissLocated]

Go for it, the quals are 'preferable' not 'essential' and they want 'willingness to train', you can show you're academic and capable of studying which is a big plus. (I was in HR for a local authority btw, so know how they think) We used to get people applying with barely 2 GCEs to rub together, it's these people that the 'willingness to study' is trying to weed out.

Don't be intimidated by the jd, local authorities have a habit of making them long winded. Pick a few requirements you have good examples for and concentrate on those.

[zippitippitoes]

Just have to write the rather dificult part about how i fit the job..will do