This is not only true, but fundamentally important. A good manager knows how to make the job fit the person, not the other way around.

While this is true if you're moving to a position within your existing workplace, it doesn't work when you're after a job somewhere else - they have no idea what you're like. All they have to go on is your CV and possibly a reference. Thus they cannot use this approach - they have to marry your skills against those required for the position. If you don't have them, it's very unlikely you'll make it to the interview stage. Also, given that the number of people unemployed is rising, the competition for positions is going to get even greater.

Where I work it's becoming increasingly difficult to find people with the right qualifications, let alone experience. More often than not we end up employing someone from overseas. I'd guess that nearly a third of the 700+ people here are not native to this county - in my lab alone we have people from Iran, China, Japan and India.

Dogbert, you answer your previous question, I am 19. And I didn't go to university. I didn't see the point of having to waste 3 or 4 years of my life, "learning" how to do something that I already could. So I did MCSE's and CCNA's to come where I am now. Senior IT Analyst Supervisor.

So it's proof that at such a young age, I have acheived what some people don't dream of acheiving until they are around 27-35.

So yea, I have potential, I was able to prove my place in this department, and belive me it was difficult. Got there though. Right?

So enough of your "not even going to get to the interview stage" Our company is able and willing to see all applicants to see where people differ. I'm not sure what company that you work for but it sure as hell has no trust in people.

I am very well organised, my entire calender, planner, notes system and more is on my phone, which goes with me everywhere. I am persuasive, I get what I want if I try hard enough. I have very good written and oral skills. I have a natural flare for design and marketing, I know what sells and I know what won't. I have the personality to run a team, as I already have, and I do it bloody well if I do say so myself.

When I was 13, I wholesaled 300 3" paper butterflies, flower heads and dragonflies, 300 1¾" aligator clips, over 1000 gems and "bishbashbosh" labels. I made hair burettes, clips and slides, which cost just £1.23. I sold each of these for £6. Making a net profit £4.77 for each item. I designed and coded an ecommerce a website that would have these to sell. I made over £1400 by marketing low cost high value hair clips.

So your comments my friend I find useless as you tend to be a sheep. Go to uni, get a degree, find a graduate job, not going to get anywhere in the world.

If you have no creative criticism. I suggest you keep it stchum.

I would say go for it! The worst that could happen is that you get the job

Let me put the record straight then.

I'm over 40, went to university and got a degree. I'm now employed by one of the world's largest consumer goods companies as a senior research scientist. I've been to the top of my work level three years quicker than normal. I currently have over 40 patent filings to my name, 15 of which have been granted. I've developed products that have sold in excess of 1,000 tonnes to several large companies. I think that qualifies me to make some comments, even if you don't take them in the spirit they're meant to be taken. I try to be constructive and realistic, but if what I say isn't too your liking then I'll bow out and leave you to it.

I think I might.

Presenting to them my previous sucess with bishbashbosh might actually get me somewhere. I can explain the marketing side of it, the supplies, the manufacturing, the profit. Some fundementals as that is what they were looking for in the job description.

As for "manager" I'm pretty sure it's just about managing the process of new products and product bases. I'm very familiar with the products we produce and the amounts we sell for, as I worked in the factory while I was getting money to pay for my mcse and ccna courses.

I get on with the Ops Diretor pretty well, the Comms director dosen't seem to be much of a people person. But I get around that. I'm persuasive.

The only thing I'm worried about, is getting laughed at, for not experience in this field.

Maybe, but that doesn't make it untrue. I deal with product managers every day. Obviously it depends on the product line, but in general, they have a lot of experience, responsibility and are paid a fairly substantial wage and get a company car. They've either worked their way up from the shop floor, or they've been on a graduate training scheme.

I admire your spirit Bish, but you might as well apply for a job as a Bank Manager.

Just freakin apply already, bag an interview and let us know how you get on. I'm 27, have no degree, or further education. I just have GCSEs and determination. I've only not gotten the job for one interview I took and on reflection I didn't want the job anyway. I admire your attitude and whilst I wouldn't guarantee you the job, if I was the director, I'd definitely see you for an interview.

However, be a little wary of this whole "Apprentice" style of business. Alan Sugar has done for business what Simon Cowell has done for singing. I'm not 100% sure that we need all these [LIFTED], arrogant assholes one-upping each other. Not saying you're like that, but at 19 it could easily appear that way in a work context. I say this, because I had the same problem at your age and it wasn't until I got to 25 or so, that I started to chill out a little.

Aside from that,
"You must do what you feel is right, of course." - Old Ben Kenobi

But hurry up and bag the interview, I wanna hear all about it!

There is never any harm in applying for, and hopefully interviewing for, a job.
You never know your luck, and it's a great way to hone your interview skills. Regardless of the outcome, always ask for some feedback on what was wrong with your interview, and be prepared to take it on the chin.

Well, I got an interview. Got a letter in the post on Saturday.

I was shortlisted to a number of 10 poeple for the interviews. 60 people applied. I feel damn good about that. Concidering all these people must have extensive training and what not. Theres one thing good about me though, I can be 'moulded'.

What do all companies want? Someone who will do what THEY want, and not what they've done in companies previously.

I have determination too, and only GCSE's, but that's not to say that I follow this whole "Apprentice" style job interview, because I don't. I just say what I feel is nessicary. If your refering to my little sucess when I was doing my GCSE's, you'll find that all business, every thing you see around you, works like that. Alan Sugar, didn't make the proccess of business, he just made the proccess of getting arragant dikwads to do his dirty work for him.

So yeah. I'm looking forward to it.

Can't say I'll deffo get the job, but that's for the interview to determine right?

I've not been following this thread, and can't be bothered reading it all, (no offence meant ) but good luck with the interview.

Thanks for your input there old chap!

*adjusts spectacle*

Well, hey what do I know?! Good luck.

Bish, go for it. To get an interview is only the start!

Good luck!

Thanks Kay! There was so much negativity here, like.. "noez you wont getz interviewz, youz gotz no chance!"

Just wanted to stress the fact, I did actually get an interview!



Yeah! What do you know! *punches you in the gut*

Thanks for the luck,