Interview advice

So, I recently got a job for a fairly large retail company, doing contract work, where I'd be working directly with a very good friend who recommended me. Because of that recommendation, I just sent in a resume for what everyone told me was a straightforward contract job very much in line with my career to date, and then was asked to come in to interview. The interview went great, with a lot of banter and was composed solely of either general questions about my methodology, awareness of their service, etc., or specific questions about experiences mentioned on my resume. I got hired a couple days later, and one of my paperwork bits was filling out the online job application for the record. Which is the first time I saw the posted job listing. Which has so many "required" skills and experiences that I don't come anywhere near and no one who read my resume could think that I did. I would never have applied for this job on my own, and I would have laughed at anyone who suggested it. But they didn't ask me about any of that stuff, and I have the job. I interviewed for another one, also entirely demanding skills I don't have, and at one point the interviewer said to me, "Look, if you already knew how to do all this stuff, you wouldn't be right for this role." They're not bringing you in for a second interview because they somehow didn't notice your skillset or lack of experience. They did notice your skillset and experience, and they are interested in acquiring it. You say it's an entry-level position; maybe they want to take your skills and train you to use them within their model of practices. Who knows. But don't presume that their interest in you must be some kind of mistake. They like what they've heard so far, and they want to hear more. You're very unlikely to be pulling the wool over their eyes, unless you've actively lied all the way through. So go, be personable and professional, see if you like talking to them too, and answer their questions to the best of your ability, because your ability got you in the door in the first place. If it's not a good fit or you're too underqualified, fine, whatever. But maybe it is, maybe you're not. Don't start by telling them you don't want to be considered a person with strength and potential. Good luck.

The general rule is that you let them decide that you're not qualified. Don't decide that for them.

Never try to talk someone out of a good opinion they might have of you. What's "pretty clear to everyone" from your point of view might not be shared by anyone else in a room.

Unless you have a few other job offers that are equally appealing and you really are interviewing them more than they are interviewing you, I think you should continue to play up your strengths and not worry about whether you are qualified for one second. That's their job. Just look at the fact that you thought the phone interviewers were unimpressed and "just going through the motions" when in reality they were impressed and moved you to the next level. You are irrationally jumping to negative conclusions.

It is completely nuts to say that. Why would you tell them what they're looking for? Don't lie when you answer, of course, but let it stay up to them what they think about that. And you can ask questions like "what would make a good candidate for this position" or other questions along those lines. Just present yourself, and see what happens.

A job interview really boils down to TWO things: #1: CAN YOU DO THE JOB? No, really. Can you? That's what they want to know. #2: DO PEOPLE LIKE YOU? Let's be honest, how you'll fit in usually matters a lot. Be better than just competent. Be strong but definitely likable.

Thanks to everyone who gave me good advice. I stayed strong and showed my best face, and I think they liked it. We'll see in a few weeks weather I was the best they saw.

Your question is basically wrong. If they're a smart company, they're not hiring on credentials, and only somewhat on experience. Instead, they're hiring on behavior and communication. When you said "I'd ask for help," they said, "Oh good, here's someone smart enough to know when s/he's in over his head, and knows how to work collaboratively." Your answer also about institutional values is good. They're trying to hire a good, smart, creative person, who works well with others. And HONEST. That's what we all want in hiring. Stop undermining yourself, and PLEASE don't go to the interview and undermine yourself. The question I think you want to ask them is bizarre and possibly off-putting. Why don't you go to the interview and ask them about their organizational values, and what's important to them, and continue being forthcoming and honest and vivid in your languages and description. They want someone who can communicate, who can crisply make themselves understood. Sounds like you've got the goods, so go forth and sparkle.

Suppose that somehow they have misunderstood how qualified you are. And suppose further that you get the job, based on that misunderstanding. This describes my entire career so far. I would suggest that if you're quick to learn, a good co-worker, and you can do some of what they hired you to do very well, you can learn to fill the new position. They are probably interested in you with that expectation - that your strengths are what they can't find in another candidate, and that your weaknesses will disappear once you're up to speed. Focus on what you're good at, and feel your way through the rest.