not read all the thread comments but think you should try. I saw the note about men applying and agree. We are too quick to self assess and run ourselves down. Saying that, i would not apply for a GP job if I was not a Dr! But yes, stretch yourself and good luck

go it for, your be great im sure

I do understand I run the risk of my application going straight in the bin. The act of sitting down and filling it in will be a valuable one as it will give me a bit of practice. Might as well post it off, got nothing to loose. I certainly won't feel huffy if I don't hear back from them. If you had all said I was being stupid I might not bother but I think it is worth a shot.

the thing that always inspires me to go for things in such a situation is that I once read that men are far more likely to go for something that on paper they are underqualified for. I can't remember the exact figures but the article said something like a woman will apply if she has about a 70 per cent skills/qualification match, whereas a bloke will go for it if he only has 50 per cent. so it's your duty as a woman to put your head above the parapet along with the pushy men (I expect not many men apply for TA jobs but it's he principle!)

Surely that qualification would be equivilant or higher?

You may find this thread from yesterday interesting reading.

I'd apply anyway and highlight in the covering note what elements of that NVQ and your experience are similar tot hose requested.

I would go for it, what have you got to lose?

I'd apply for it and see what happens. It really depends on who else applies for it and what their experience/qualifications are. T/A jobs are usually popular because of term-time only for mums etc, so competition usually fierce, but you are qualified and may well be able to make a strong case that you have the relevant experience through your childminding and voluntary work at a pre-school.

No. Because if it is an essential qualification they are legally obliged to only consider people with that qualification, a like-for-like qualification or higher.

If it says "desirable" or "preferred" then you should consider applying but I'd do a bit more work first...

There will be competition for this job, so I would suggest ringing the person advertising the job for a 5 minute chat to ask if your qualification is appropriate - don't forget to arrange a time convient for them to do this. Otherwise your application could go straight in the bin.

When doing recruitment employers have to evidence they have been fair, and local authorities tend to be quite good at doing things by the book and will probably have drawn up a matrix with essential and desirable skills/experience along the top, candidates names down the side.

You then give each candidate a tick in the box if they have that experience/skill. No tick in an essential box, no interview. It is very black and white.

HTH