A few weeks ago, I went home to visit my parents. My mother is currently looking for a job, and hasn’t been having much luck (except today she had an interview! Yay!) She has multiple certifications and ample experience in her field. She is warm and kind. A conversation we had after she took a call from a company recruiter changed the way I think about interviews. I was SHOCKED when my father chimed in about his interview experience in his current job at a Dallas tech company. Women/queer identified people, listen up, because this article is particularly for us.
You’ve heard the statistic, men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them. According to the Harvard Business Review, this came from an HP internal evaluation. Forbes wrote “men are confident about their ability at 60%, but women don’t feel confident until they’ve checked off each item on the list.” My mother has been doing HR work since she was young, but when the recruiter asked her about an HR position, she said, “Oh, I’m not an HR person. My experience is in global mobility.” As soon as she hung up, I yelled -sorry, Mom – that she knows HR and she could definitely do an HR job.
The kicker was when my father piped up. He said for his current position, they were looking for a biochemist. My father is many wonderful things, but he is not a biochemist. And he’s been in his position for years! My mom and I were shocked. I’ve heard this statistic, but to hear my dad’s experience solidified my view. Ladies, people who identify as women, and queer folk: APPLY FOR THE JOB even if you only meet some qualifications listed. My dad is a tech person who was hired for a biochemistry job. If that doesn’t prove the point, I don’t know what will.
Forbes characterizes it as women should have more confidence, which was written by a male identified person. For me, not meeting all the qualifications on a job posting felt like lying, not a lack of confidence. It felt like lying for my mom too. But hey, if straight, cis, white men can do it, so can we! (*See my Rosie the Riveter tattoo :))
Have you not applied for a great job because you didn’t meet all listed requirements? I DEFINITELY have missed those opportunities.
In solidarity,
Mae
Mae Goes West 
Thanks for posting this!! Good job!
Since our discussion, I’ve been applying for jobs where I don’t meet Every requirement. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Love you! 💕
Mom
I also didn’t do this because whenever I shoot off applications for something not in my current field, I never hear back. It’s all part of the process, I’m learning. Love you!
I was privy to that conversation and remembered my current teacher asking me to apply at the school. She was so helpful priming me for the questions. Right or wrong, I worked there until retiring at 70 years of age. Best job I ever had and I loved working there
I remember you being worried they wouldn’t hire you. And they loved you! Another great example. Love you!