Hey Akash, thanks so much for reading and also for your thoughts. I love that you connected the “helping” bit with EA principles—I don’t think I thought of that! So this is a really valuable point. After all, we are trying to make an impact with our jobs and by applying for a job, we are trying to solve a problem for the organisation and the cause area in general. Also many thanks for sharing this with your network, I hope it will help more people!
I agree with you about transparency, we definitely shouldn’t say anything that’s not true about our candidacy and shouldn’t hire any facts that make us a bad fit. And you are also right in saying that this can backfire, especially for non-EA ogs and for people with impostor syndrome (most of us haha). I can think of underepresented groups not getting roles as, generally, men are more likely to be overconfident about their ability.
I would say that the key here is to treat each application individually, try to see exactly what the hiring manager is looking for, and start by presenting yourself in the best possible light. Put your best foot forward!
If you’re absolutely sure that you don’t have a particular skill, I think it’s possible to be transparent and also talk about any skill/aptitude gap in a positive way. I think a lot of EA orgs will hire for potential and attitude, so phrasing things like “I haven’t done this yet, however, I’d really like to learn in/I have learnt things really quickly in the past/done something very similar”. That is if you genuinely like to do it.
Another way to talk positively about skill gaps is flipping it and finding why not having this skill will give you an advantage (fresh eyes, ability to form the way you operate in this org etc.).
So what I’m trying to say is, having been on the hiring manager’s side,”I can’t do this” shows that the person doesn’t want to learn or isn’t right for the job. I would much rather hear “I’ve never done it but I’m just so excited to learn”.
Additionally, many orgs now offer trial tasks, so before you say “I am not good at strategy”, if it’s a core skill and it is tested, I would first see if you can do the trial task. Sometimes we appear to be good at something we’ve never done! So I wouldn’t speak so soon until you try it :)
Hey Akash, thanks so much for reading and also for your thoughts. I love that you connected the “helping” bit with EA principles—I don’t think I thought of that! So this is a really valuable point. After all, we are trying to make an impact with our jobs and by applying for a job, we are trying to solve a problem for the organisation and the cause area in general. Also many thanks for sharing this with your network, I hope it will help more people!
I agree with you about transparency, we definitely shouldn’t say anything that’s not true about our candidacy and shouldn’t hire any facts that make us a bad fit. And you are also right in saying that this can backfire, especially for non-EA ogs and for people with impostor syndrome (most of us haha). I can think of underepresented groups not getting roles as, generally, men are more likely to be overconfident about their ability.
I would say that the key here is to treat each application individually, try to see exactly what the hiring manager is looking for, and start by presenting yourself in the best possible light. Put your best foot forward!
If you’re absolutely sure that you don’t have a particular skill, I think it’s possible to be transparent and also talk about any skill/aptitude gap in a positive way. I think a lot of EA orgs will hire for potential and attitude, so phrasing things like “I haven’t done this yet, however, I’d really like to learn in/I have learnt things really quickly in the past/done something very similar”. That is if you genuinely like to do it.
Another way to talk positively about skill gaps is flipping it and finding why not having this skill will give you an advantage (fresh eyes, ability to form the way you operate in this org etc.).
So what I’m trying to say is, having been on the hiring manager’s side,”I can’t do this” shows that the person doesn’t want to learn or isn’t right for the job. I would much rather hear “I’ve never done it but I’m just so excited to learn”.
Additionally, many orgs now offer trial tasks, so before you say “I am not good at strategy”, if it’s a core skill and it is tested, I would first see if you can do the trial task. Sometimes we appear to be good at something we’ve never done! So I wouldn’t speak so soon until you try it :)