Fix It Friday Must I Be An Expert

Fix It Friday Must I Be An Expert Todays Fix It Friday answer is on whether you need to be an expert in every job requirement requested. On Friday, I respond to YOUR job search questions! If you have a question, ask me! Honestly, most questions are not all that unique. Chances are, someone else has the same question you do! Heres todays question: When a job search requires two separate and distinct skill sets (such as training abilities and technical abilities) and you match one set extremely well and are slightly under-qualified in the other how should you handle the one that you are under-qualified for? I am an Implementation and Training Specialist and while my training skills are exemplary and award-winning, I may lack some experience on the technical side. I am not talking about knowing nothing, but instead being intermediate or advanced level when the job description calls for expert level. All Jobs Require Multiple Skill Sets In todays work environment, I would be hard-pressed to identify a job that doesnt require vastly different skills. We are always being asked to do more with less. In your case, not having expert level technology skills COULD be a factor, but maybe not as much as you think. Honestly, what is the big difference between what an advanced user knows versus an expert user knows how to do? Understand What Expert Means You will need to better understand what you are really lacking. You can do this by talking to industry leaders in training and development or attending your local ASTD chapter meetings. You could reach out to someone who is an expert and ask for an informational meeting to better understand what capabilities you lack. This is really important because you need to understand WHY not having expert level skills may or may not be an issue. Dismiss It One option is to dismiss this missing knowledge as no big deal.Focus on what you CAN do and why this benefits the companys offerings. You may have other skills need and these would be your value-add (and make up for the missing expert level skills). Be sure to provide examples of times you have been able to overcome lack of knowledge and your ability to master new skills easily and quickly! This surely happens regularly. Actions Speak Louder Than Words Once they see you in action, they may be willing to overlook missing skills. Your exemplary platform/deliver skills may woo them. If you have video of yourself training, share it! You may even offer to present on an expert level subject matter topic so they can see you in action. Fix It The other option, once you have determined your missing knowledge, is to go fix it by developing those skills. Trainers Are Not Always SMEs Not all trainers NEED to be SMEs (subject matter experts). Focus on training opportunities with organizations that do not require these higher level of technical skills. Confidence Is King As you know, your presence and confidence in the front of the room, so to speak, is what engages and impresses. Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses! Believe in what you do have to offer and dont obsess over what you dont have. There will always be candidates without key skills. They got their job because of the value they provide to the organization. Got a Question? Submit your job search question here: Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Enter your questionPhoneSubmit