You Are Qualified for That Fancy Startup or Corporate Job - Here's How to Prove It

I assume you're either at a job you don't like or you're unemployed. You’ve been scrolling through job postings, eyeing those fancy startups or corporate gigs but thinking, “I’m not qualified for that.” Well, shut up—you are. That mindset will hold you back in every part of your life. I promise you, most people are using the age-old way of "fake it til you make it," and booooooy is it working.

The trick is making a few changes to showcase your true potential. Here’s how to do it.

Why You’re More Qualified Than You Think

First, let’s clear up a common misconception: You don’t need to meet check every single box on a job description to be a the right candidate. My thoughts: if they will only speak with candidates that meet every expectation that they have, they’re probably not great to for. Honestly, unique experience and skills bring a fresh perspective that companies value. They should be seeking diverse candidates because hiring people with different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, genders, and skillsets is crucial to a successful business. A diverse workforce benefits a company 100% of the time. Don’t believe me?

Check out these studies from McKinsey, Harvard Business Review, and Bain & Company. Diversity isn't just important; it's smart business.

So, apply! What's the worst that'll happen?

Make These Changes to Stand Out

1. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
If you don't have a resume or LinkedIn, get them now. LinkedIn is free and puts a face to your name. Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your first impressions, so make sure they're sharp.

Ways to improve or impress:

• Highlight Achievements: Use strong action verbs and quantify successes. Examples: "Increased deliverables by 20%," "Saved team 10 hours/week," "Boosted productivity by 75%."

• Showcase Transferable Skills: Emphasize skills like team management, customer service, and schedule coordination.

• Professional Summary: Write a concise, impactful summary that highlights strengths and career goals.

• Use Keywords: Include industry-specific keywords to show you know the industry and stand out.

• Endorsements and Recommendations: Get skill endorsements and recommendations on LinkedIn - ask your friends or family.

• Keep Updated: Regularly update with new skills and achievements.

• Clean Design: Use a professional, easy-to-read format.

• AI Assistance: Use AI tools like ChatGPT for refinement.

An important thing to know is that most things on your resume are impossible to prove, besides confirming if you actually worked at a company. So, beef them up as much as you can. I'm not encouraging lying on your resume, I wouuuuuldnnnn’t dooooo thaaaaaaattttt…… 😉. But really, that's probably never a good move. That being said, you can definitely word your duties and accomplishments to make them sound more important or better than they actually are.

2. Learn the Lingo
Corporate and startup environments have their own jargon, especially when it's industry specific. Familiarize yourself with the terms and buzzwords commonly used in the industry you're targeting. This can be as simple as reading industry blogs, joining LinkedIn groups, or listening to relevant podcasts.

3. Network Your Ass Off
LinkedIn is your best friend here. Connect with people who work at companies you’re interested in. Don’t just hit “connect” and forget—engage with their content, comment on their posts, and send thoughtful messages. You never know who might help you get your foot in the door. But, always remember, don't be creepy or annoying. That's probably the fastest way to get blacklisted.

4. Tailor Your Applications
Not totally necessary, but it may be a good idea to not send the same resume and cover letter to every job. Use something like Teal (which you can check out more at my other post about job search tools), which has a free tier and is a tool that will tailor your resume to each application you submit. Mention the company’s name and specific projects or values that resonate with you. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.

5. Show Your Passion and Fit
Startups, in particular, value cultural fit as much as technical skills. Show your enthusiasm for the industry and the company’s mission. Be yourself—authenticity goes a long way.

Here's How You Spin Your Specific Experience To Impress

If you’ve been working in warehouses, as delivery drivers, call center agents, or in retail, you’ve gained a lot of valuable experience. Here’s how to spin that experience to showcase leadership, mentoring, and accomplishments:

- Leadership: Did you lead a shift or manage a team? Or did you simply help some people in some way at some point, like rescue a coworker or finish your route fast? Well, you managed your team to exceed goals by 25% or established a new system that reduced client deliverability times by 65%. Highlight how you coordinated schedules, resolved conflicts, or trained new employees.

- Mentoring: Have you trained new hires or helped colleagues improve their performance? Frame it as mentoring. Example: "Mentored new employees, providing training and support that improved team efficiency by 15%."

- Accomplishments: Did you receive any awards, exceed targets, or implement new procedures? Quantify your achievements. Example: "Implemented a new inventory tracking system that reduced errors by 30%."

A Final Pep Talk

Remember, those job descriptions are more like wish lists than checklists. Your unique blend of skills, experiences, and personality could be exactly what that startup or corporate job needs. Don’t sell yourself short.

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TL;DR: You’re more qualified for that startup or corporate job than you think. Update your resume, learn industry jargon, network, gain relevant skills, tailor your applications, prepare for behavioral interviews, and show your passion and fit. For more tips, subscribe to my newsletter.