When you’re unemployed, you try anything to find employment. You’ll apply to jobs you’ve no interest in, you’ll apply to jobs where you’re a perfect fit, and you’ll apply to jobs that you’ve no possibility of winning.

What happens, though, when you get inquired to interview for the job you considered there was no chance you could win? You still need the job, and though you’re underqualified on paper it is clear that the interviewer felt that you had something to bring, otherwise you wouldn’t have been called in for the interview. Below are few interview tips for job interviews you’re underqualified for.

Job Interview Tips

• Prepare Like Crazy

The reason you’re underqualfiied is because you don’t have the experience that you consider is important to fill the role. You can’t gain those experiences before the interview, so your best bet is to wow them with your capability to answer interview queries. Practice answering every query with the best answer possible and try to wow them with your interview skills.

• Study Up On Skills

If you’re underqualified for the position, chances are there are many skills that you do not yet have. For instance, perhaps they are searching for someone with a great deal of leadership experience, and you’ve never held more than an entry level job. There isn’t a lot you can do. What you can do is make certain that you are as up to date as possible with the knowledge that you do have. Refresh yourself in programs you’ve used, remind yourself of relevant terminology, etc. The stronger you can be on the knowledge you do know, the more what you’re missing will be neglected.

• Pretend Like You Deserve the Job

Never provide the impression that you’re somehow not worthy of the position, or the employer might realize that you don’t have the qualifications and you’ll instantly ruin your employment chances. You should always pretend like the job was made for you. This involves asking for a salary commensurate with the work involved. Do not undersell your services simply because you really need the job.

• Do not Look for Excuses

When people aren’t qualified for a position, they mostly try to overstate irrelevant experience as a way to make it sound as though they have more experience than they do. Do not fall into that trap. If you do not have knowledge in an area then you do not have knowledge. That is okay. If you attempt to relate experiences that are barely related, if at all, you’ll only look like you’re reaching.

• Bring a Portfolio

Nothing says professional like a portfolio of documents relevant to the role. If you can show that you’ve the knowledge and capabilities to succeed in the position, your shortcomings are far more likely to be overlooked and you’ll be capable to develop greater credibility.

Take Things in Stride

If you know you’re not qualified for the position, do everything in your power to achieve the job but understand that things might not be meant to be. Also, once you get the job, do your best to learn. If the similar things that made you underqualified make it difficult for you to do your role, try your best to learn these skills and know that it affect your employment.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Pretend like you’re qualified for all jobs you interview for.
• Practice like crazy for the interview to impress interviewers.