Comments on: How to get an interview for a position you’re under qualified for http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/ Become successful through sheer tenacity, drive, and working intelligently Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:41:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Jun Loayza http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-27047 Jun Loayza Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:35:12 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-27047 Hey Terri, I say wait a week before you follow up with an email or call. If you follow up to quick, it's just annoying because it takes a while for HR to make decisions. A week is a safe bet. Hey Terri, I say wait a week before you follow up with an email or call.

If you follow up to quick, it’s just annoying because it takes a while for HR to make decisions.

A week is a safe bet.

]]> By: Terri http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-27025 Terri Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:04:10 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-27025 This is terrific advice! I followed your advice for a job that I really, really, REALLY want right now and I'm hoping it will pan out. I just wanted to ask if you have any suggestions about what to do if the person who has the authority to hire you does not respond. Do you suggest e-mailing to follow up again in a few days? What about calling them directly? In a good economy there would be a lot of candidates for the position I've applied for and I know in this economy with several talented people in my field being laid off that the competition for this particular position will be very stiff. I'm willing to put myself out there and go the extra mile to show I'm the best candidate but I'm not sure what would be too far or too pushy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! This is terrific advice! I followed your advice for a job that I really, really, REALLY want right now and I’m hoping it will pan out. I just wanted to ask if you have any suggestions about what to do if the person who has the authority to hire you does not respond. Do you suggest e-mailing to follow up again in a few days? What about calling them directly? In a good economy there would be a lot of candidates for the position I’ve applied for and I know in this economy with several talented people in my field being laid off that the competition for this particular position will be very stiff. I’m willing to put myself out there and go the extra mile to show I’m the best candidate but I’m not sure what would be too far or too pushy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

]]> By: SBTK http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-25020 SBTK Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:54:36 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-25020 This is a great post, very informative and detailed! With over 12 years of starting and running my own successful tech businesses (The first one in college) I now have to search for a job in a large organization to gain even a fraction of the compensation I have become accustomed to. Combine a bad economy, embezzlement from "Trusted" business partners, and bad debt to create a the perfect financial storm that I now live in. (I know, cue the violins ;D) I haven't had to look for a job since I was about 18 and am simply not getting interviews. My experience is so broad that I don't fit neatly into any job req's, and therefore don't get past the initial screening process. Once I'm in the hot seat, I'm sure I can get the job done but therein lies the problem. This post does a great job of explaining how to be assertive and persistent while remaining professional. I now have a new perspective on my current job search. Thanks much... This is a great post, very informative and detailed!

With over 12 years of starting and running my own successful tech businesses (The first one in college) I now have to search for a job in a large organization to gain even a fraction of the compensation I have become accustomed to.

Combine a bad economy, embezzlement from “Trusted” business partners, and bad debt to create a the perfect financial storm that I now live in. (I know, cue the violins ;D)

I haven’t had to look for a job since I was about 18 and am simply not getting interviews. My experience is so broad that I don’t fit neatly into any job req’s, and therefore don’t get past the initial screening process. Once I’m in the hot seat, I’m sure I can get the job done but therein lies the problem.

This post does a great job of explaining how to be assertive and persistent while remaining professional. I now have a new perspective on my current job search.

Thanks much…

]]> By: Nick http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-22905 Nick Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:30:00 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-22905 Hi Jun, Your post has opened my eyes! I have contacted bunch of people successfully using your method. Sometimes people ask me where did I get their information, should I say through LinkedIN? Hi Jun,

Your post has opened my eyes! I have contacted bunch of people successfully using your method. Sometimes people ask me where did I get their information, should I say through LinkedIN?

]]> By: YuanXin http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-22423 YuanXin Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:07:10 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-22423 Greetings from Malaysia! impressive post !.Thanks because i think it will help us a lot. Inspiring too as I have not been getting reply for an internship opportunities from most of the companies that I am interested in. I really feel like giving up now. I am from science background and hope that you can check my CV and cover letter if you dont mind~~ Regards, YX Greetings from Malaysia! impressive post !.Thanks because i think it will help us a lot. Inspiring too as
I have not been getting reply for an internship opportunities from most of the companies that I am interested in. I really feel like giving up now. I am from science background and hope that you can check my CV and cover letter if you dont mind~~

Regards,
YX

]]> By: Shreenath Regunathan http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-21642 Shreenath Regunathan Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:06:53 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-21642 Jun, I've not checked in with you in a while and this blog is truly a nugget of wisdom - I have been trying to post my job hunting successes since I managed to navigate the international student waters and get a ton of jobs out of college and again now, got a few switches in a bad recession! I'm debating trying to chronicle it well, but I see you have a similar story; I must say, I have a story of a job offer that started with two pints of Guinness! More later, Shreenath Jun,
I’ve not checked in with you in a while and this blog is truly a nugget of wisdom - I have been trying to post my job hunting successes since I managed to navigate the international student waters and get a ton of jobs out of college and again now, got a few switches in a bad recession! I’m debating trying to chronicle it well, but I see you have a similar story; I must say, I have a story of a job offer that started with two pints of Guinness!
More later,
Shreenath

]]> By: Diana Wei http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-16098 Diana Wei Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:22:23 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-16098 WoW! A step by step process, just unleashed the secret of jobhunting - forwarding this to all my jobhunting friends! =) Thanks so much again for the tips and advice. I would never have known how to successfully executive such jobhunting or contacting strategies. WoW! A step by step process, just unleashed the secret of jobhunting - forwarding this to all my jobhunting friends! =) Thanks so much again for the tips and advice. I would never have known how to successfully executive such jobhunting or contacting strategies.

]]> By: Jun Loayza http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-16057 Jun Loayza Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:22:25 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-16057 Hey Emily, To be perfectly honest, I would take the opposite approach. Instead of reaching out to the company and requesting that they speed of the process, I would reach out to the company that gave you an offer and request an extension. I have done this many times, and it's as simple as being direct and honest with a company. Your phone call should hit the following points: 1. Reason you would like an extension: Don't say that you're waiting for another company. Instead, say that you have a lot of things going on in your life right now and many decisions to make. Politely request an extension on your decision and be confident about it 2. Give a realistic time frame: I have gotten extensions for up to 2 weeks. You can shoot for this extension but don't be surprised to be turned down. Many companies are looking to hire immediately. If all else fails, I would accept the offer and request to start in 30 days if possible. I think most companies will give you 2 weeks to make the transition, but it never hurts to ask. I then would interview with the other company during those 30 days and accept the offer should I receive it. Good luck! Hey Emily,

To be perfectly honest, I would take the opposite approach. Instead of reaching out to the company and requesting that they speed of the process, I would reach out to the company that gave you an offer and request an extension.

I have done this many times, and it’s as simple as being direct and honest with a company.

Your phone call should hit the following points:

1. Reason you would like an extension: Don’t say that you’re waiting for another company. Instead, say that you have a lot of things going on in your life right now and many decisions to make. Politely request an extension on your decision and be confident about it

2. Give a realistic time frame: I have gotten extensions for up to 2 weeks. You can shoot for this extension but don’t be surprised to be turned down. Many companies are looking to hire immediately.

If all else fails, I would accept the offer and request to start in 30 days if possible. I think most companies will give you 2 weeks to make the transition, but it never hurts to ask. I then would interview with the other company during those 30 days and accept the offer should I receive it.

Good luck!

]]> By: Emily http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-16054 Emily Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:06:24 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-16054 Wow Jun, I loved this post! Your emails are so well written and very direct. I am in a bit of a sticky situation myself, and was hoping for an answer to my question in this post. Perhaps you could help me further? I interviewed for one job and will most likely have an offer, but there is a job that I would like more that I am waiting to hear about. How would you suggest I contact the job I want more to let them know that I had an interview and they are very interested in me (so perhaps they should speed up the process and interview with me as well!)...stated differently of course? Thanks! Wow Jun,
I loved this post! Your emails are so well written and very direct. I am in a bit of a sticky situation myself, and was hoping for an answer to my question in this post. Perhaps you could help me further? I interviewed for one job and will most likely have an offer, but there is a job that I would like more that I am waiting to hear about. How would you suggest I contact the job I want more to let them know that I had an interview and they are very interested in me (so perhaps they should speed up the process and interview with me as well!)…stated differently of course? Thanks!

]]> By: jennifer safanova http://www.junloayza.com/careers/how-to-get-an-interview-for-a-position-youre-under-qualified-for/comment-page-1/#comment-13273 jennifer safanova Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:58:23 +0000 http://www.junloayza.com/?p=843#comment-13273 here was my cover letter I recently spoke to you on the phone today concerning the position. I am the one that stated that I work at 185 Bridge Plaza North just steps away. I really believe I would be a perfect fit and even though I may not have Executive Assistant experience I have plenty of Administrative experience. With every company I am part of, I play the right hand role in that position and become a huge asset to the boss or president of that company. The company I am at right now, I am the right hand for my boss also the owner of The Foot & Ankle Center of Fort Lee. I sometimes act more of a personal and executive assistant to him rather than just a front desk administrator. He has stated numerous times that when ever a problem surfaces or if anything needs to be done I am the only one he can trust. I am very hardworking, kindhearted and can pick up on any program in a heart beat. I love helping others and have dealt with the elderly and children alike. I handle the schedule for the Foot & Ankle Center currently and remind my boss of all other meetings and appointments he has at other offices and locations. I am the main one to answer the phone, schedule appointments, handle all the financial and important documents. I am very punctual, reliable and am true multi tasker. I can handle it all with a smile and upbeat attitude. I believe I would be a perfect fit for the company and I hope I am called in for an interview because a cover letter and word document can only do so much! I am available tomorrow between 8:30-9:00 am, Fri after 2pm or Monday after 2pm as well. Thank you so much and hope to be hearing from you soon. Resume attached below! here was my cover letter

I recently spoke to you on the phone today concerning the position. I am the one that stated that I work at 185 Bridge Plaza North just steps away. I really believe I would be a perfect fit and even though I may not have Executive Assistant experience I have plenty of Administrative experience. With every company I am part of, I play the right hand role in that position and become a huge asset to the boss or president of that company. The company I am at right now, I am the right hand for my boss also the owner of The Foot & Ankle Center of Fort Lee. I sometimes act more of a personal and executive assistant to him rather than just a front desk administrator. He has stated numerous times that when ever a problem surfaces or if anything needs to be done I am the only one he can trust.

I am very hardworking, kindhearted and can pick up on any program in a heart beat. I love helping others and have dealt with the elderly and children alike. I handle the schedule for the Foot & Ankle Center currently and remind my boss of all other meetings and appointments he has at other offices and locations. I am the main one to answer the phone, schedule appointments, handle all the financial and important documents. I am very punctual, reliable and am true multi tasker. I can handle it all with a smile and upbeat attitude. I believe I would be a perfect fit for the company and I hope I am called in for an interview because a cover letter and word document can only do so much! I am available tomorrow between 8:30-9:00 am, Fri after 2pm or Monday after 2pm as well. Thank you so much and hope to be hearing from you soon. Resume attached below!

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