Need Advice about taking a job ...

[LisaLynne]

Has anyone ever taken a job that they felt they were barely qualified for? A job that might be a little over their heads? A job that they were fairly sure they could learn, but at the moment, did not feel that they the needed skills?

This is the deal, if you're still reading. :) I am, granted, insecure by nature. I have worked in the IT industry for about 10 years now and part of all of the jobs I have had has been database stuff -- building simple applications with Visual Basic, Access databases, things like that. Actually, before I was officially a computer person, I was really good at FoxPro, but that's obsolete knowledge now! Now, I might be about to be offered a job that's doing database applications and that's all! I really like the department it's in and I'm tempted to take it, but I just don't know if I'm good enough at the database stuff at the moment.

What if I'm not? Has anybody here found themselves in a situation like that? How stressful is it? Am I just experiencing fear of the unknown about leaving a job I know I'm good at and know everything about for one that I might not know as much about? Any thoughts are welcome!

[LisaLynne]

1. Kick ... Because it's Friday and I really want to know! :) nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. That one's all on you.

I've done that and reveled the opportunity to rise to the occassion. No stress at all, but that's me. You might be different. If you're insecure by nature, I'm guessing you may want to steer clear of it, but honestly, I can't say that's wise. You should always take the opportunities to move up when they're given to you. No one's going to hold your hand anywhere else either, you know?

[LisaLynne]

5. That's true.

Thanks for the advice. I've made the mistake of not taking a job before because I was, basically, scared. That's why I'm still stuck in this job, bored to death! :)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. Remember one VERY important thing

There is no way in hell they would give you this job if they didn't think you could do it. This is a business. They're not just giving it to you to be nice. No one does that, unless you have some kind of mob/upper level government ties. Always remember that when you start feeling insecure. THEY believe in you - you should too.

[LisaLynne]

8. Now, if I were getting a job with BushCo, I could be sure ...

I wasn't fit for the job, but, yeah, in the real, non-BushCo world, that is a good thing to keep in mind. :) Thanks again.

[Blue-Jay]

3. Take the job!

You should never pass up the chance to do something scary. Who knows? Maybe it'll end up being the perfect position for you after you "settle in".

[Lochloosa]

4. Take it!

9 years ago I took a job that I was not qualified for. I asked a lot of questions and payed attention. I am closing in on 6 figures now.

Good luck!

[Lars39]

6. Steadfast rule in IT: *always* learn new skills.

You never know when you'll need a particular skill set, and it is way too easy to get complacent and get left in the dust.
Take the job. :)

[BlueCollar]

9. I'm about to do the same

Same company but completely different work. I'm currently in Maintenance Quality Assurance and conduct internal audits of our airline maintenance program...in a few weeks I should be working in FPI (Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection) of airframe and powerplant components which is essentially a form of non-destructive testing.

The point is, the job you are going for is just another job. Unlike working an asembly line, the tasks are never going to be routine and require constant "re-thinking"...

My guess is they don't have anyone who knows what they actually "want" but they know what they "need" and they are looking for you to put your thinking cap on and design systems to provide that.

You'll be fine...:-)

[Misunderestimator]

10. One thing I've always noticed... men, in general, seem not to hesitate

taking positions that are above them, whereas women seem to feel that it is dishonest to do so. It is NOT. It is only dishonest to pretend to already be highly skilled and experienced, instead of simply willing and capable of growing and learning. Women need to have the courage and confidence to take jobs that stretch their skills, or we will continue to be relegated to lower paying jobs. I have always taken jobs that expand my skills, and I've always had a fair amount of trepidation on starting in them, worried that I might fail... and I have ALWAYS succeeded at them.

As long as you've been honest with the employer about your experience... If someone is willing to hire you and give you a shot... Definitely, go for it.

[Heidi]

11. Exactly.

If I had been reluctant to take jobs I considered "over my head," I would have been chronically unemployed since age 16. I've _always_ taken jobs that expanded my skills, and then contributed _any_ effort necessary to be successful. Go for it, and prepare to do anything necessary to improve your skill set when you get the job. No, start _now_ to improve your skill set.

[KitchenWitch]

12. There is ALWAYS a learning curve with a new job!

Fear not.