essential and disarable

[mirela]

im doing my jobhunting at moment. for a perticular job, if i didnt meet one of the essential requirements, should i just leave this job, as there wont be hope for employer to put me on shortlist?

[andy-hughes]

No, always have a go.

Your prospective employer will see that you are lacking one skill, but may be impressed enough with the other qualities you are bringing, that he considers it worth training you in the missing skill.

I am hoping to move into a role as a PA for a Senior Manager (I work for BT) and the perceived approach is that communication skills will outwiegh ny absence of PowerPoint experience, which is something I can train on pretty quickly.

So, although that may be listed as a requirement, I would apply anyway, and see if my other skills carry me through.

Employers are often adaptable if the right candidate comes to them, they will take them and get the missing skills sorted.

[mirela]

thanks andy, thats helpful answer:)

[buildersmate]

Usually the purpose of Essential and Desirable (sic) is to guide personnel / agencies in shortlisting.
So it will depend on the response to the advert.
If there is a decent response, there is little point in shortlisting candidates who do not attain the Essential criteria.

[gt43]

Speaking as someone who sits regularly on shortlisting and interview panels, "essential" means just that - essential in the sense that the employer believes any candidate would not be able to fulfil the duties of the post without it. "Desirable" is a little more flexible ...

If this particular employer has gone to the trouble of thinking this out, it looks as though they are in touch with the Equal Opps legislation surrounding new appointments. The reason they map out what they want from applicants in this way is to be able to show that they have made their decision fairly should someone challenge it (which occasionally happens). So, if they describe a particular skill as essential, it's extremely unlikely that they'd appoint you without it, because they'd be on very dodgy ground legally.

If you really want this job, or one like it, best thing to do is get some training and get the skills you need.

Best of luck!

[mirela]

thanks for replies
im applying in jobs in universities at moment, mainly about marketing jobs, but some of them put higher education or further education working experience as one of essentials, which i didnt have:(

[gt43]

Mirela - my experience as an interviewer is in the university sector, and I stand by what I said above. These employers and those in other public sector areas) have to think very carefully about how their job specs are constructed and will stick to them. In addition, it's a competitive market. But not all jobs will require experience, and once you're "in", it's much easier to apply for training and to switch jobs.

Good luck with it.