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Do you have an interview for a role that you want coming up? But you’re also feeling a bit underqualified?
Don’t worry.
It’s completely normal to feel this way.
There’s a reason your application stood out, and you got the interview in the first place!
Maybe it was your experiences or your skills in your resume or cover letter.
Remember, they clearly saw something in you, and this interview is your chance to show them why you’re the right fit for the role, even if you don’t check every single box on the qualifications list.
It is completely normal to not fit every part of the role!
It’s unlikely that the other shortlisted candidates do too.
Let’s look at some tips to help you feel confident in interviews for roles you’re not fully qualified for!
Focus on Transferable Skills and Your Adaptability
It’s important to focus on strengths you do have when you’re concerned about your lack of qualifications.
Although you may not have all of the specialized experience, you do possess transferable skills.
Skills that can be used in any industry or role are known as transferable skills.
In any position, abilities like leadership, communication, critical thinking, and time management are extremely useful.
Candidates who are adaptable, creative, and quick learners are always going to be picked.
These skills can compensate for a lack of knowledge or experience. Consider the abilities you gained from volunteer work, previous jobs, or even side projects.
Have you led projects or collaborated with groups?
Do you have the ability to solve problems?
Are you able to handle several tasks at once?
These are all transferable skills that show you can adapt to new environments and challenges.
In your interview, share examples of times when you’ve learned quickly or adapted to new situations. If you’ve ever taken on a new task or learned a software program quickly, this is your chance to talk about it.
Preparing for Your Interview: Use the STAR Method
Being prepared is key to making a strong impression, especially if you feel underqualified.
An effective way to structure your responses is by using the STAR method.
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, and it helps you answer behavioural questions by breaking them into clear, manageable parts.
In many interviews, I have had to use this method to answer questions and it must easier to create a complete answer when you use it!
Here’s how the STAR method works:
- Situation: Describe a situation that is relevant to the question.
- Task: Explain what you needed to accomplish in that situation.
- Action: Talk about the specific actions you took to address the task.
- Result: Share the outcome of your actions, ideally with quantifiable results (such as “I improved sales by 15%” or “I helped streamline the process, saving 10 hours a week”).
For example, if you’re asked about how you’ve handled tight deadlines in the past, you could respond using STAR to show how you’ve managed time effectively and worked under pressure.
The STAR method helps you provide a complete answer and ensures that your experience is framed in the best possible way.
Also, make sure you have a notebook and are taking notes while you are being interviewed.
It shows you are prepared.
It is important to remember that not only are they interviewing you but you are interviewing them to see if they are a good fit for you.
Make It a Conversational
My BEST tip is to try to make your interview as conversational as possible.
While it’s important to be professional, interviews don’t have to feel like an interrogation.
If you can engage with the interviewer on a more personal level, it can make the entire experience more relaxed.
They’re a person too, and this conversation is your chance to connect with them.
In my own experience, I’ve found that interviews tend to go much better when I treat them like a friendly discussion rather than a formal Q&A session.
Ask questions about the company culture, the team, and the projects you’d be working on.
This not only makes the interview feel more natural but also helps you stand out as a candidate.
Embrace Your Unique Qualities with Confidence
It’s totally normal to feel intimidated walking into an interview.
However, try to remind yourself that your experiences and skills are just as important as the qualifications in the job description.
Employers are looking for more than just the right technical experience; they want someone who is passionate, eager to learn, and can bring new ideas to the team.
It isn’t always about experience but instead about the fit.
Think about your past roles or experiences—what did you bring to those situations that might be relevant here? Maybe you worked with diverse teams or found creative solutions to problems.
These are the kinds of qualities employers value because they show you can contribute to a company.
Share how your past experiences have equipped you to tackle the challenges of this role, even if they come from a different industry or field.
Show the employer that, even if you’re not the perfect fit on paper, you are ready and eager to grow into the role.
Practicing your Answers
Don’t underestimate the importance of preparation before the big day.
If you’re feeling a bit unsure about how to respond to certain questions, practice really can make a huge difference.
You can use tools like ChatGPT to run through mock interviews, which can help you think of your answers and get comfortable with the whole process.
I recommend rehearsing your answers to common interview questions out loud so you can hear how they sound and make any adjustments.
It helps you feel more natural and less stressed when you’re asked questions on the spot.
In fact, I’ve found that practicing out loud builds a lot of confidence and gives me the ability to think more clearly during the actual interview.
I do this even before I am about to record a TikTok or YouTube video.
Saying what you want to say out loud helps to avoid the shakiness in your voice.
It helps you to be prepared and more confident when you are in the actual situation.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get to know the company culture, leadership style, and the team’s dynamics.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, an interview for a job that you’re passionate about—despite not having every qualification—is an opportunity.
Your transferable skills, your adaptability, and your perspective can all help!
The key is to embrace what you bring to the table and demonstrate how these qualities can make you successful in the role, even if your experience isn’t a perfect match.
Good luck!
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