how to write a cover letter when you are underqualified

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How to write a cover letter when you are underqualified

The best format for writing a cover letter when you are underqualified is as follows:

Phone Number

(List a  few of your experiences that are relevant to key skills advertised for the job)

(List a few of your professional achievements and rewards that you have been conferred)

Thanking You

I’m prepared to get back into the game and restart my career as a software engineer in your beautiful city. I’m positive that I’m the perfect person to lead your middle-out engineering team. I would love to schedule a meeting and discuss this further.”

“Dear Ms. Garcia,

Blending a formal background in marketing with proven success in retail sales and customer service roles, I am looking to transition into public relations and believe I would make a great fit for the advertised position of Public Relations Specialist at your company.

Having both used and sold your products, I am already well versed in your brand and both present and past years’ offerings. I have followed with excitement as you launched in European and Asian markets and incorporated an international feel into your product line. I would bring both passion and expertise to championing your company with the press and public.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you need a cover letter when applying for a job.

Yes. A cover letter showcases how well you communicate and provides more information about who you are as a person.

What should a cover letter contain?

The main purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself, mention the job you’re applying for and show that your skills and experience match the needed skills and experience for the job.

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How to Address Missing Qualifications in a Cover Letter

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One of the goals of writing a cover letter is to address your qualifications for the job opening. In addition, this cover document entices human resources professionals and hiring managers to read your attached resume. Personnel who do screening and selecting might have a short amount of time to determine if applicants are a potential good fit for the advertised opportunity.

Should you address lack of experience in cover letters? If you feel under-qualified for an opportunity, you can still use your writing and communication skills in the cover letter to make the case for moving your application forward for further consideration in the hiring process.

Highlight Your Existing Qualifications

Write about one of two of your strongest skills in the cover letter, according to what the hiring employer needs, advises ZipRecruiter . Poorly written job advertisements might list 10 to 20 qualifications needed to perform the duties of the position, saying that this is the ideal candidate.

Don't be intimidated if you don't exactly match or possess all of the qualifications. Some hiring managers might be okay with applicants who only have a couple of the attributes. For example, a customer service representative job ad might state the following qualifications: "Knowledgeable, focused on quality, problem solver, good listener and multitasker." The cover letter might highlight quality assurance and active listening skills.

Show Your Transferable Skills

Deemphasize missing qualifications in the cover letter by inserting other transferable skills that could be of use to the company, recommends Live Career.com . Some skills aren't specific to any industry, such as teamwork, leadership and communication skills. These might follow you throughout your career.

For example, some people are uncomfortable communicating and speaking in front of a group, even around long-time co-workers, so if you're good at it, say so. Alternatively, a job seeker could stress strong writing skills, such as for business letters, white papers and product manuals, which is a talent that some employers value as much as good verbal communication.

Explain Your Potential Value

Your skills, knowledge and abilities have potential value, even if you aren't using them at the moment. Your previous work experience, as well as on-the-job learning and training, could benefit new employers in ways never imagined.

For example, a small retailer might advertise in the local newspaper for a job opening for a merchandiser and retail sales associate because of an upcoming busy holiday season. An under-qualified web-guru job seeker who is interested in this opportunity notices that the store has yet to establish an online website and social-networking presence.

The job seeker can state in the cover letter how he can use his e-commerce and social media knowledge to help the business sustain and even grow sales through the internet, during busy and slow periods.

Fixing Your Shortcomings

Offer tangible solutions that will remedy your missing qualifications. For example, a job may require a bachelor's degree in a specific major before the company will even consider other qualifications.

If you are enrolled in college classes, maybe part-time, state in your cover letter that you are attempting to finish up your program, but it is taking longer than the traditional four-year completion schedule.

Don't just state in your cover letter that you feel you can get up to speed quickly and gain the necessary qualifications to do the job – after being hired – if you have nothing on your resume or in your cover letter to back up those claims.

• ZipRecruiter: Here’s What to Say in a Cover Letter When You’re Not Totally Qualified
• Live Career: Underqualified Job-Seeker? Ten Tips to Inspire Employers

Damarious Page is a financial transcriptionist specializing in corporate quarterly earnings and financial results. Page holds a medical transcription certificate and has participated in an extensive career analysis and outplacement group workshop through Right Management. The West Corporation trained and certified him to handle customer support for home appliance clients.

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