Author: Jenna Jonaitis

Making a leap in your career can be daunting, especially if you feel underqualified for the job. But with the right mindset and approach, you can make your application stand out, impress people in your interview, and land the job you’re dreaming of.
So if you spot an open position and you’re telling yourself, “I am not qualified for this job,” hold on. We’ve got insider deets on how to ace the recruitment and hiring process.

Should you apply if you feel unqualified?

While it may not be fruitful to apply for the CEO position after your first year on the job, there is some wiggle room in terms of the years of experience and required skills mentioned in most job postings.
Rebecca Ebner, a talent acquisition business partner and operations integration lead, and her team have discovered that “Women, in general, will only apply for a job if they meet 90 percent of the criteria—sometimes even 100 percent—whereas men will apply if they only meet about 75 percent of the job requirements.”
That’s a huge difference, isn’t it? And if women continue to feel like they shouldn’t apply unless they meet every requirement, we’re at a serious disadvantage in the workplace.
“Because women are more inclined to make sure they’re 100 percent qualified before applying, they are more apt to find themselves in a non-challenging position,” shares Ebner. It’s hard, then, to expect growth in a role like that. Oftentimes, though, women stay in a job because they look at the next level and feel like they don’t meet that next set of criteria.
So, let’s break this harmful cycle!  

Catch Their Eye: Tips for When You’re Unqualified

Align your resume with the job qualifications.

The first thing Ebner suggests is pulling out your resume along with the job description for the new position. Compare the job posting qualifications, years of experience necessary, and required skills to what’s on your resume. Where are the gaps? And what are the aspects you need to clarify on your resume?
“If possible, sit down with a trusted friend, a previous manager, or a mentor,” suggests Ebner. You’ll gain an outside perspective and receive guidance on how to modify your resume.
[pullquote align=’center’]If women continue to feel like they shouldn’t apply unless they meet every requirement, we’re at a serious disadvantage in the workplace.[/pullquote]
Don’t forget to adjust your older work history, either, even if the job was several years ago. “A lot of people don’t go back and update all of their experience,” says Ebner. For example, if you were a cashier at McDonald’s, you might list tasks such as “dealt with customers” or “exchanged money.” Ebner recommends editing the tone of these descriptions to include things like, “provided high level of customer service” or “processed orders and managed cash register during high volume.”
By making small modifications that align your past experiences with the new job, you’re showing that your background does indeed match with what your prospective employer is looking for.

Talk about all of your years of experience.

“Perhaps you haven’t done the specific tasks listed on the job description, but chances are you have experience related to some of the skills they’ve included: leadership, critical thinking, project management,” says Faith Shovein, talent acquisition manager at Domino’s Pizza Headquarters. “If you’re able to reference examples of these qualities in your work and confidently communicate their relevance, chances are the employer will make the connection.”
And sometimes it’s not just your previous jobs that relate to a position but your extracurriculars too. Whether you led a project as a volunteer or guest lectured at a university, add all of your related experience and skills to your resume. Consider highlighting activities such as volunteering for charity, taking training courses, being a member of an organization, or participating as an elected individual on a local council or parent–teacher association, for example.
By highlighting your related experiences, both career-based and otherwise, you’ll have a more well-rounded application that’s likely to catch the eyes of a recruiter or hiring manager.

Sealing the Deal: Tips for Your Interview

You’ve landed an interview. Congratulations!
Whether it’s a phone interview or you’re meeting in person, specific strategies will help you stand out.
Remember, though, that honesty is always the best policy. “Your interviewer has your resume, so they know your background. It’s okay to say that you’ve never done something before,” says Karen DeVries, a practice manager at Mercy Health who hires for clinical jobs, front end staff, team leaders, and physicians.
So how can you be honest and still boost your interview performance?

Research the job and company ahead of time.

While it may seem like common sense, a large portion of candidates don’t do ample research about the company or position ahead of time. Doing thorough research puts you at a serious advantage.
“If you don’t have experience with something listed on the job description, make sure you’ve gained a reasonable understanding so you’re not caught entirely off guard when it’s mentioned in an interview,” shares Shovein. “The more you know about the company, the better you can understand the job and how your skill sets will contribute to the success of the role.”
[pullquote align=’center’]“Before any interview, set aside time to review your key professional experiences so that they’re fresh in your mind when you’re asked for specific examples in an interview.”[/pullquote]
“You should be able to ask questions about the role itself, even if you’re not experienced in it,” says DeVries. “Come to the interview prepared with a brief statement about why you’re interested in the position and how you’re hoping to grow or learn, along with a few narrowed questions about the role or department.”
That’s right: An interview is a two-way street.
“People go into interviews thinking they have to ace it to get the job, but sometimes a job truly isn’t the best fit. Be sure to ask questions about the culture, business, and growth opportunities,” suggests Ebner. These aspects make a big difference when deciding if the job is right for you, too.

Prepare, prepare, prepare.

“After 10 years in recruiting, I’m still shocked when I stump candidates with questions like ‘What interested you in this job?’ or ‘Tell me about your most recent accomplishment,’” shares Shovein.
Her tip for having solid answers ready? Study yourself!
“Before any interview, set aside time to review your key professional experiences so that they’re fresh in your mind when you’re asked for specific examples in an interview. This should alleviate the time spent sulking after your interview when that perfect answer finally came to you.”

Allow yourself time to answer.

Arriving at your interview prepared is essential, but you won’t have perfect responses for everything. “If you come across a question and you’re unsure how to answer, you can say, ‘Let me think about that for a moment,’” says DeVries. “By requesting more time, it shows you give good thought to your answers and you’re not just giving scripted responses.”

Redirect the answer if necessary.

If you get to the interview and are asked about something you don’t have experience with, modify your answer rather than simply saying you’ve never done it before. “Try saying something like, ‘That’s not something I’m well-versed in, but I did have this experience that relates,’ or ‘I’ve never done that, but here’s what I’m looking to do in future experiences,’” suggests DeVries.
By changing the angle of your answer, you’re providing the interviewer with honest information and showing you can think critically and connect your other experiences.

Follow the STAR method for behavioral-based interview questions.

Almost all companies and HR departments include behavioral-based interviewing in their recruitment process. Behavioral-based questions prompt you to describe previous experiences—revealing how you handled situations and which skills you utilized.
[pullquote align=’center’]“Choose simplistic colors instead of bright ones. Let the interviewer ask the complete question before cutting them off.”[/pullquote]
“With behavioral-based questions, always follow the STAR method,” says Ebner. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Find behavioral-based question samples by searching online (or check out The Balance Careers’ list here), then practice describing the situation, the tasks you accomplished, the actions you took, and the final results. By incorporating these four components, you’ll give your interviewer a well-rounded response.
Remember that interviewers want to hear examples. “If you say you’re organized, be ready to describe how you’re organized,” says DeVries. Anyone can say they’re a team player or dedicated. But if you can show how you put those qualities into practice, hiring managers will understand the incredible value you offer.

Demonstrate your adaptability and willingness to learn.

Ebner shares that managers may choose lower-qualified candidates if they demonstrate that they’re trainable and adaptable. “If candidates show a positive demeanor in the interview and provide examples of being flexible to change, a hiring manager will have an incentive to hire that person.”
So, it’s not just about years of experience after all. It’s about who you are as a person, too.

And…don’t forget the interview basics for getting a job.

Making a great first impression is key, and that can start with what you wear to your interview: “Come to the interview in professional attire. Choose simplistic colors instead of bright ones. Let the interviewer ask the complete question before cutting them off,” reminds DeVries.
It’s normal (and even healthy) to be a bit nervous for an interview, but try to remain calm, and focus on answering the specific question asked.  
Ebner suggests keeping your answers to two to four minutes long so the interview feels more conversational. By sticking to answering the question, the interviewer will have time for follow-up questions and discussion.

What Not to Do When You Feel Unqualified in a Job Interview

“First of all, don’t show that you feel unqualified,” says Ebner. She recalls a time when a candidate interviewed and said to the manager, “I know I’m unqualified, so this interview is just for good practice. Thank you for having me.” The manager was immediately turned off from hiring them due to their lack of confidence.
“It’s natural to experience impostor syndrome when you feel unqualified for a job,” says Ebner. She recommends bringing confidence to the interview and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. That’s part of leaping to that next level.

When to Call It Quits

“Sometimes the hiring process is slow,” admits Ebner. Even if a company has a rockstar candidate, they might be waiting on funding or someone could be on vacation. “Just because you haven’t heard back on an application or interview isn’t indicative that you’re unqualified or not the right fit.”
But if you’ve put forth continual effort in applying for similar roles and you’re not getting anywhere, take a step back and assess the situation, says Ebner. “Ask yourself questions like, ‘Do I have real leadership skills? Have I put myself in positions to direct others in their work?’ Identify gaps between your current experience and the role you want. Consider joining organizations or project teams or asking for new assignments to pursue opportunities to build specific skills.
“If you can’t seem to move up immediately in your own organization, consider moving to another company,” says Ebner. You can always come back once you have new skills and experiences.
Set your eyes on that next role and keep chipping away at achieving your dreams. It will happen.

The struggle to save money is real.
With regular monthly responsibilities (rent, mortgage, car insurance, health insurance, cell service, and more) along with fun expenditures like your monthly yoga pass or happy hours with co-workers, expenses add up fast.
Fortunately, there are concrete changes you can make to your routine to help you save more money every month without completely killing your lifestyle.
Whether you’re saving up for a down payment, dream vacation, retirement, or emergency fund, we’re sharing the best ways to save more money every month—and how to stick to your plan for the long run.

Money Saving Tip #1: Shift your money mindset.

Our own beliefs about money and the beliefs of those around us impact our actions regarding money. “You have to be intentional with what you allow into your environment: what information you’re consuming and what you’re exposing yourself to when it comes to money,” says Amanda Abella, founder and CEO of Make Money Your Honey.
What influenced you as a kid and throughout your lifetime makes a difference. Do you believe you can save a lot of money? Or do you believe that you’ll always be scraping by?
Before you can make a money-saving transformation, you have to truly believe it’s possible to accumulate wealth. “If there’s a subconscious belief that you can’t do it, you’ll sabotage yourself,” explains Abella. “People aren’t accustomed to saying what they want. But you have to allow yourself to dream in order to make your savings goals a reality.”
That’s why Abella encourages people to seek out information on wealth consciousness and money mindset. From reading books like Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill to listening to financial podcasts like Jamila Souffrant’s Journey to Launch, you can mentally condition yourself to believe wealth and financial stability are possible for you.
[pullquote align=”center”]“People aren’t accustomed to saying what they want. But you have to allow yourself to dream in order to make your savings goals a reality.”
—Amanda Abella of Make Money Your Honey[/pullquote]
Souffrant, a certified financial education instructor, blogger, podcast host, and money coach, says that shifting your mindset to “I’m going to save first, then spend what’s left” (instead of the other way around) is foundational and essential.

Money Saving Tip #2: Yes, you gotta have a budget.

If you don’t know what you’re spending compared to what you’re making, it’s difficult to make any financial progress. “A budget or spending plan is helpful because it gives you an inventory of your habits: what you spend on and where the leaks in your budget are,” explains Souffrant.  
The amount you spend per month on lattes or grocery shopping remains a mystery if you don’t track it. Luckily, you can make a budget retroactively. On a piece of paper, in a spreadsheet, or with an app, record your financial activity for the last two or three months, recommends Souffrant. Look at your credit card statements, checking accounts, and bank accounts to determine what you spend in each category. After you have this baseline, continue to track what you’re spending and where the money is going. Review each month’s budget to see where you can make changes.
“Look for repetitive patterns,” says Tanya Ince, PhD, a money coach and business consultant. “Maybe you have a monthly membership that could be canceled or downgraded.”
Ince teases: “I know coffee is important, but even $2 a day equals more than $700 a year.”

Money Saving Tip #3: Design crystal-clear goals.

“I knew that in order to start saving, I had to get clear on my ‘why,’” explains Abella. “I wanted to live by the water and run my own business. I knew it was going to require money.”
By taking time to determine her goals and how she wanted to live, she was able to calculate how much money she needed. From there, she reverse engineered her budget—knowing exactly how much she had to save.
So how can you get clear on what you want? “Identify your goal and make it specific, measurable, and timed,” encourages Ince. If your goal is to vacation to the Greek islands within the next year, estimate the total cost. “With a clear goal like this, you understand how much to save and how long you have to save that money.”
Ince suggests creating a mental or, better yet, a physical picture of your goal. Print a photo of the car you want or your dream vacation destination and put it on your fridge or computer monitor. That constant visual reminder will help keep you on track.
But quality is far better than quantity when it comes to financial goals. “If we have too many competing goals and desires, we become overwhelmed and make poor financial decisions,” explains Ince.
That’s why it’s important to pick one or two goals that are top priority. Is it a trip to Vegas or a down payment on a house? If it’s important to save for a house, you may have to forgo the trip (but don’t worry—you could always staycation as a cheaper alternative). “Some sacrifices will need to be made,” says Souffrant. “There might be times when you’ll need to cut back on things that don’t matter as much.”

Money Saving Tip #4: Automate, automate, automate.

Have you ever thought to yourself “I’ll put money in an account later” but it never happens?
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
“Your savings should be automatic. Ideally, they should be deducted before you see your paycheck and taxes,” says Souffrant. Many employers offer options to automatically deposit money into different accounts, including savings accounts and retirement accounts.
If your employer doesn’t offer multiple direct deposits, use an app to automate your savings. “It’s easy to start saving using robo-advisors and automatic savings apps, like Acorns or Stash,” explains Ince. “You can choose the right portfolio for you and the amount to save per month. Or choose an option to invest your leftover change from each transaction.”
When your savings are automatic, you don’t have to think about it. Your saving plan is on autopilot. It’s one less decision to make.

Money Saving Tip #5: Start small—and be consistent.

“Research shows that people increase their amount of savings over time. The hardest thing is to start. So, start small and save regularly,” encourages Ince.
Souffrant admits that the delayed gratification of saving is tough. “Many people say, ‘I work hard. I deserve this. Life is short, and I can’t take my money with me.’” But it’s not about whether you deserve something. It’s about remembering that the time is going to pass anyway. If you save small amounts, you can still enjoy life. “Saving money shouldn’t be a complete deprivation; it’s about being smart about the future,” Souffrant says.
A long-term goal like buying a house or traveling internationally can seem far away. But if you save consistently over time, you will get there. Souffrant explains: “It’s kind of like going to the gym once. You won’t see a flat tummy right away.” But if you save for even five weeks, you’ll see the progress. “Stick with it, and your future self will thank you.”
“Make a commitment to increase your savings by 1 percent each year,” Ince suggests. “Time works in your favor, and it really makes sense to start early.”

Money Saving Tip #6: Identify the best places for your money.

Dropping your money into a savings account isn’t always the most lucrative option.
Where you put your money depends on what you need it for, explains Souffrant. “Everyone needs an emergency fund, which should be easily accessible funds in a savings account.” Experts recommend three to six months of living expenses be stowed away in case of a job loss or unexpected bills. Rather than putting those charges on credit cards with high interest rates, you’re accessing your own cash.
And emergency funds aren’t just to prepare for negative circumstances. “That extra money also allows you to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity, like friends taking a trip or a training class that will improve your chances in the job market,” says Abella.
In addition to easily accessed cash, you’ll want to consider funds for long-term gain, like a retirement or investment fund. “If you’re saving for something that’s not a short-term goal, consider a mutual fund, IRA, or retirement account,” explains Ince. You’ll reap more reward, like an 8 percent compounding return on an investment, over the 1 to 3 percent interest you might see in a savings account.
[pullquote align=”center”]“The longer we wait, the more money we lose. The power of time and accumulation is huge. The difference is in hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
—Tanya Ince, PhD, money coach and business consultant[/pullquote]
“Remember: Investing in stocks, mutual funds, or index funds [is] riskier but offers a much higher return over time than a savings account. So don’t invest money you need in the near term,” says Souffrant.
Abella recommends opening different saving accounts with labeled names that represent your goals: a house down payment, a trip to Thailand. “Every time you log in, you see the specific goal and what you’re working toward.”

Money Saving Tip #7: Maximize your retirement matching.

“Make contributions to your retirement plan—at least enough to maximize how much is matched by your employer,” encourages Ince. At that point, it’s basically free money.
If you have access to a 401(k) or 403(b) through your place of employment, you’ll have different options for what you can choose to invest in, says Souffrant. “Call your human resources department or plan provider to understand where your money is going.” Compare fees and average return rates to maximize growth in your retirement accounts.

Money Saving Tip #8: Consider additional income streams.

Saving more money isn’t just about limiting your spending. “We either need to increase our income or cut down on spending or both,” Ince remarks.
To add income, ask for a raise, volunteer for more hours, or take on a part-time job or side hustle. “For those without a large gap between spending and income, there isn’t much money to save. In these cases, focusing on increasing income is the best strategy.”
Abella agrees, saying that it’s important to have your money coming from different sources. Whether it’s freelancing on the side, becoming a social media influencer, waiting tables, or selling items you no longer need, you’ll be in a position for setting aside more money. “If you pick up a side gig, make sure to save that money and live off of your normal income,” reminds Abella.

Money Saving Tip #9: Seek accountability.

As with changing any habit, follow-through is where many people get stuck. Finding someone or a group to hold you accountable can make all the difference. “When we state our goals verbally, we tend to stick to them more than if we don’t,” says Ince.
“Get a close friend on board with you. Make it fun and update each other every week,” says Souffrant. When someone is supporting your journey and goals, you’re more likely to follow through.
Don’t have folks in your life who want to save money like you do? “Listen to podcasts, follow people on social media who are on the same journey, and read inspirational material to keep you focused and motivated,” Souffrant suggests. If the people around you aren’t changing, connect with online groups and resources who will help motivate you.

Money Saving Tip #10: Begin now.

“The longer we wait, the more money we lose. The power of time and accumulation is huge. The difference is in hundreds of thousands of dollars,” says Ince. If you start saving now, your interest doesn’t just accumulate on the initial amount but on the interest itself.
Ince provides an example: If you start saving $300 a month at age 25 and you do it continually (consistency is key), by the age of 65, you’ll have accumulated $1 million (assuming an 8 percent interest rate). If you wait 10 years and start at age 35, saving the same amount monthly with the same interest, you’ll only have $450,000 at 65. If you start at 45, the amount reduces to $178,000. At 55, it would only be $56,000.
But don’t be discouraged if you’re getting a later start. “Starting now is always the best choice,” says Ince. You will accumulate far more wealth by starting to save now than if you begin in 10 years—so it’s certainly better late than never, and better now than later!