13 AGCAREERS.COM FOOD & AGRICULTURE CAREER GUIDE W hy apply for a job if you know the potential employer may doubt your qualifications? It’s one of the most common dilemmas for students and entry-level job seekers: how do you secure a job without experience, and how do you gain experience without a job? It’s the age-old question that has haunted every generation. However, I encourage you to consider applying regardless—do not underestimate your value, and prepare to address any objections that may arise. Think of shortcomings as areas of opportunity! “If you have familiarity with a job’s required skill set, don’t let your lack of experience deter you from applying. A company may pivot based on their candidate pool or may identify you for a different role,” shares Emily Fullmer, Global Talent Program Manager, J.R. Simplot Company. In fact, J.R. Simplot, the Company’s founder, struck out on his own at age 14 set on becoming a farmer. While he had just an eighth-grade education, he had business instincts, curiosity, energy, and a drive to succeed. Where J.R.’s lack of experience (and young age) could have held him back, he succeeded by believing in himself, preparing for opportunities, and working hard to achieve his dreams. PREPARATION Addressing shortcomings requires research and preparation as you set out on your career path. First, you must be willing to self-reflect and admit you may have some weaknesses. Secondly, you need to investigate a particular job’s requirements and work out your plan to overcome missing qualifications. A section of this preparation is brainstorming your volunteer or club involvement, coursework, projects, and how these activities can relate to the job. All of these experiences involve teamwork, where everyone has a role to play. “Are you the person typically leading, presenting, gathering data, or creating a social committee? Becoming self-aware of your strengths in a team environment allows you to articulate your job fit in an interview,” added Fullmer. You may also have relevant coursework that can translate into experience. Your cover letter is an ideal spot to highlight your organizational involvement and classes to bulk up your qualifications. THE INTERVIEW You successfully passed stage one and have an interview booked. You know you are missing some of the required or preferred qualifications listed in the job description. How do you confidently go into the interview? It’s prep time again! Fullmer had a prime example of a candidate nailing the interview despite lacking some preferred qualifications. “When the panel of interviewers asked the candidate about their specific qualifications, the candidate was upfront and honest that they didn’t currently have that qualification, but they had taken the time to research what they needed to do to gain those skills and prepared to do so,” said Emily. The panel in turn was able to share some training resources with the candidate. “The candidates’ lack of skills became more of a conversation rather than a make or break,” added Emily. In this case, lack of qualifications allowed the candidate to showcase their resourcefulness, drive, and determination. As you launch into your career, I encourage your curiosity, innovation, and commitment to lifelong learning! Transfer your thinking from a focus on shortcomings to a view of opportunity! Reviewing a job description lets you quickly identify the qualifications you are missing. When encountering acronyms or certifications listed in a job posting that you’re unfamiliar with, it’s essential to research and understand their meanings to comprehend the job requirements better. Abbreviations such as CCA, PMP, SHRM-CP, CDL, ServSafe…the list varies depending on the industry sector and career type. Even if you haven’t earned those qualifications behind your signature, it’s ideal to understand what they are before the interview. Let’s say you are applying for a job that lists CCA as a preferred qualification. Exploring the AgCareers.com Crop Advisor Career Profile and a simple online search will inform you that CCA is a Certified Crop Advisor and briefly explain what it entails. Then, if the interviewer asks if you have your CCA, you can honestly respond you don’t but quickly follow up with your understanding of the Certified Crop Adviser designation, why it is valuable, and your plans for attaining it. Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels ANTICIPATING YOUR SHORTCOMINGS AND OVERCOMING OBJECTIONS by Bonnie Johnson, Marketing & Communications Manager, AgCareers.com AG
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