You do not also have to be nervous or anxious if you don’t fit the criteria for a job. Many people become dissuaded from applying for a job because they don’t meet all of the requirements. One question that I get asked regularly. How do I know if I can apply for a job, if I do not fit all required conditions?
There are two ways to decide if a job offer fits you.
1.It’s just Idealistic Requirements
First, realize that most job descriptions belong into the fantasy aisle of the book store. HR will list all imaginable skills for the “perfect” candidate. But nothing in our world is perfect. If the HR department did a good job, the skills and requirements are in declining order of importance.
If you meet more than a half of the requirements, Feel free to apply.
But be aware, The actual job requirements might be quite different from what you have read in the job description.
A while back I got a mail from one of my coaching clients: She sent me the link to a company that offered jobs in English. There were about 20 positions, from accounting to software development to sales. Every single job description was exactly the same…
2.Are you able to perform the job?
The second way. Ask yourself honestly.
If I get hired, can I actually perform this job and deliver the results expected?
One engineer told me the story of his first job in Germany. In the interview process he said “yes” every single time when the employer asked him if he knew a software or had worked with a tool.
He got the job, but on his first day at work it became immediately obvious that he couldn’t use any of the software mentioned. His colleagues made him cook coffee and copy documents.
Embarrassed, he quit after one week, and since then has been completely upfront about his skills and knowledge. (He has a very successful career in Germany now.)
So, the question you should answer yourself is: How will I actually perform my duties, even if I work in a German language environment, but speak only English?
Saying “I will figure it out” is nice attitude, but won’t convince a German manager. You will need to actually be able to explain this in detail. Step by step. If you can do that: Apply for the job! (No matter if it’s in English or German.)
As a matter of fact: Smart people will always find a way to overcome the language challenge. You use Google Translate, ask your colleagues or hire an intern who will translate for you during the first months.
And shouldn’t that be the real objective for an employer? To hire smart people who find solutions?
Related Post
GETTING A JOB IN GERMANY – TOP 8 USEFUL JOB SEARCHING PLATFORMS
Reference
https://www.thelocal.de/20191228/how-to-get-a-job-in-germany-if-you-dont-fit-all-the-criteria
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