Reach for the stars! Well, maybe not THAT star...
November 15, 2011 5:17 AM   Subscribe

Can I apply for this managerial job, or am I reaching too far?

tl;dr: I've been an analyst for 5 years and want to be in management, found a management job in my desired city that calls for 6 years of experience, 2 years management experience. Do I apply for it anyway?

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I am looking for healthcare IT jobs in a mid-sized midwestern city. I’m currently employed as an HIT consultant and I like it, so I’m not under pressure to apply for jobs ASAP. But for personal reasons I am determined to get a job in this city eventually. Plus, my current contract is ending soon and so far my agency hasn’t been able to find positions in the city I want to be in, so now is a good time to look before I renew this contract or start a new one.

There are only 2 or 3 hospitals in this city that might have relevant jobs, and one is head-and-shoulders above the rest so I'd like to work there if possible. I found a couple of analyst jobs at those institutions that I’m probably qualified for. But I found an IT manager job that really caught my eye, and it's at the institution I'm interested in. I have been an analyst for five years, and would really like to get into management sooner rather than later. But I’m feeling a little unprepared and wondering if applying to the managerial job is a bad idea.

The job description calls for six years of HIT experience - I’m just passing the 5-year mark. It calls for two years of management experience - well, no. I have been a project manager for small projects and lead internal teams to achieve goals, but I’ve never had direct reports or managed anyone for more than 4 months. So if you ask me if I’ve had “management experience,” my reply would be that I have not but I have experience that developed the relevant skills. Hopefully that, plus a willingness to work hard, learn, and grow, is enough? It suggests that having a PMP is a plus - funny, I just finished my educational requirements and I’m going to take the exam next month. I wouldn’t treat it that as a qualification until I actually have the PMP, but at least that tells me my experience is in the ballpark of what they’re looking for. Finally, it says that the role is “tactical” in nature. Looking at the managers around me now, I feel that I am ready to take on a lower-level “tactical” management role, but not quite ready for a more strategic position, so that makes me think I could be ready.

I guess I’m getting cold feet. I’ve always heard that it’s a good idea to apply for positions where you don't satisfy 100% of the qualifications since qualifications fit the "ideal" candidate, and I think that plan is a good idea. And my experience is strongly applicable - I’ve been working on the IT system that this organization uses for years, and people with my background are in demand right now. But I’m getting scared to apply to jump from “never been a real manager” to “full-time manager.” I don’t really know what could go wrong - I guess I don’t want to apply for this position and have it negatively impact my ability to apply for other positions at this company in the future since this is the head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest hospital, but that seems like an unlikely problem. Anyway, something is bugging me and making me hesitate so I need an outside perspective.

So, Metafilter, should I go for the job? Any downsides to applying? Is this one of those “go for it, it can’t hurt you!” times? Or should I focus on the jobs that I'm already 100% qualified to do? I’m tired of waiting around for my chance to become a manager and I’d like to go for this, but I need some perspective on whether it’s achievable or a good idea.
posted by Tehhund to Work & Money (10 answers total)
 
What is the very worst that can happen from you applying for the job? Your application could be rejected for lack of experience, or you could interview and not get the job, or you could interview and get the job.

Applying for one job that may be above your skill level isn't going to hurt your chances at other positions at the same employer, in my opinion. In fact, if there's a management-track position that fits your experience (should you not get this position), I'd imagine the same hiring people might keep you in mind.
posted by xingcat at 5:33 AM on November 15, 2011 [1 favorite]


Yes, this is one of those "go for it, it can't hurt you" times.
posted by Lobster Garden at 5:39 AM on November 15, 2011


I think you should apply for it.

They're asking for two years management experience, but that isn't actually very much, so it seems to me like it's the kind of job where zero years management experience might be fine if you are bringing some related experience and applicable skills to the table. In any case, let them decide that, don't reject yourself on their behalf!

If you get an interview, hopefully it'll be with the person that you would end up reporting to if you get the job. What would probably be best is someone who will give you some direction, and plenty of coaching, so that you're not left trying to figure out how to be a manager on your own. At the same time, I think you would want to give the impression that you will take that direction and coaching, and run with it, and not go back to that person for help making every little decision. You don't want to give them the feeling that they will have to do the job for you at first.

As for why you are getting cold feet... what is it that you like about the idea of being in management? Do you feel like it's just the next logical move for you, or are you looking forward to things like deciding on competing priorities, handling conflicts between staff, responding to complaints about things that didn't go well, doing annual reviews, etc.? Not that that is all there is to management, but those are some of the things you get to do that a project manager typically doesn't. Maybe you are worried about some of those things?

For that kind of stuff, having an experienced boss who will coach you through it makes it, not easy exactly, but easier than it would be if you have to figure it all out yourself.
posted by FishBike at 5:41 AM on November 15, 2011


Shoot for the highest point always. I think you qualify for that post. I suggest that you see what you've done as having experience in management.

Having a PMP is a plus, but it doesn't make you less of a project manager without it. It doesn't make you less capable of handling your team or organizing the project and pushing it through in a timely and efficient manner.

If you tell them you are taking the test soon, I am sure they will be more than happy.

Don't forget they list a ton of wants and see what they get, it's almost the trying to make the job look more attractive, more challenging so someone like you will want it. Think of it as a personal ad for jobs...sometimes they ask for a lot more than they need to...

Have faith in yourself, I have faith in you.

Go for it
posted by Yellow at 6:41 AM on November 15, 2011 [1 favorite]


Yes, of course you should apply. It won't hurt your future chances at all - people apply for "reach" positions all the time.
posted by insectosaurus at 6:58 AM on November 15, 2011


I remember reading somewhere on a study that consisted something about someone putting in a newspaper ad for a job with $30,000 of annual salary, then the person put the same job with the same exact qualifications and description in the same newspaper with an annual salary of $80,000. The job that posted for 30k got at least twice the number of applicants. My numbers are off I am sure, but that was the premise. Point being that people disqualify themselves all the time thinking they are not good enough, they can't date that pretty girl, or they don't deserve good things happening to them.

Don't write yourself off and apply! Nothing to lose buddy but the possible future thought of "I wonder if I would of gotten that management job.".
posted by amazingstill at 7:10 AM on November 15, 2011 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks all, this is really helpful. If anyone wants to play devil's advocate, then tell me why I shouldn't listen to those concerns :), that might help me unpack why I'm hesitant. (Though I'm starting to think it's run-of-the-mill cold feet that most people get before shooting for a big change.)
posted by Tehhund at 7:22 AM on November 15, 2011


You'll never be hired for a job you never apply for.

Beyond that, it's important to be realistic and honest with yourself and understand that you're fighting an uphill battle here. Because you lack the stated experience requirements, the odds are against you.

Don't let that discourage you, however. You can learn a lot from understanding why you didn't get a job. If you're lucky, you'll interview with someone who can give you good feedback for the future.
posted by mkultra at 8:17 AM on November 15, 2011


It sounds like you have management experience to me, it just so happens to have not included personnel reviews. If they say, in the interview, that it doesn't appear that you have managerial experience, you explain that while you've never official held the position and you've never done hiring/firing/reviews, you have been successfully responsible for task allocation and resource management.

To play devil's advocate, though, managing people sucks. You'll be coming in cold to an established team with established culture and not only will you be the outsider, but your higher-ups will be looking to you as the face of the team/project. You may have folks underneath you resent your hiring rather than a promotion of an internal candidate. The company may have processes that are cumbersome or inefficient that you're expected to jump right in and employ and your suggestions for improvement will be ignored.

You, of course, should not listen to any of those things because you can never prepare for them perfectly. Any opportunity to improve your skills and experience is an opportunity worth taking, warts and all.
posted by Jacob G at 6:29 PM on November 15, 2011 [2 favorites]


btw, as an IT manager with a few years experience under my belt in a few different environments, you're welcome to memail me if you want to talk more about it.
posted by Jacob G at 6:32 PM on November 15, 2011


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