TL;DR – I've heard stories of people lying to get jobs that weren't qualified for but I assume this means they may have just flubbed their credentials but they do have the necessary knowledge to do the job. Have you ever got a high paying job that you knew nothing about how to do and just learned it on the fly? How did that work out for you? Did they eventually realize you were lying? Did they keep/fire you? My dad's friend is looking for some IT guys. While I'm sure I can easily learn what I need to do the job, I currently know nothing.
So right now, I have a job making $70,000 a year delivering water. Best paying job I've had yet, but obviously it is highly physical and exhausting work. I made a post about it a few weeks ago. I just started 5 months ago but I'm 40 and not sure how long into the future I can keep up with this level of physicality.
A few days ago my dad text me a link to a startup cyber security company that's currently looking to grow (in its 5th year). The CEO is my dad's friend from high school. They made up the backfield for their HS football team. The CEO actually reached out to my dad to help spread the word. The job position he text me about was IT Support Specialist ($80,000 per year). It seems like it has a great culture and it's employees speak highly of it. It's rated 4.7 on Glassdoor. The listed requirements are…
• Diagnoses and resolves end-user network or local printer problems, PC hardware problems and software, e-mail, Internet, and local-area network access problems.
• Manages the delivery of end-user PC desktop hardware, software, and peripherals as needed and assigned using the Rippling platform
• Work independently to research and resolve complex technical issues.
• Occasionally visit remote offices to provide onsite assistance and inventory tasks as needed. At least one year of experience working in a technology support role. Must have advanced knowledge of the Windows and Apple operating systems as well as Google Chrome and G-Suite.
Prefer experience in the administration of various SAAS platforms, including but not limited to Salesforce.
Now all of that might as well be Chinese to me. In 2009 I did get a two year degree online in Business with a concentration in IT but I never used it for anything and I couldn't tell you the first thing I learned in obtaining that degree. It's like it never even happened honestly.
When I was younger I got in some trouble and did three years in prison so there's a long gap in my resume. I didn't get back into the workforce until 2018 but have been employed ever since. All of my jobs have been driving/delivery jobs though so nothing at all relevant to this opportunity.
Knowing my dad, instead of being honest with his friend and explaining my situation but telling him that I can learn anything, all I need is an opportunity, I think he's just telling him I have a degree and making it sound like more than what it is.
My worry is that leaves me with two options. When the HR rep calls me for a phone interview, either try to fake my way through it which will be impossible since I have no knowledge of the field, or tell her the truth myself to which she will think oh this was a waste of time.
Now truth be told, I'm confident I can learn anything. I'm very smart, I was a great student, I'm a self starter and a quick learner. All I've ever needed was to be given an opportunity. I just don't want to risk quitting/losing my current job by getting a job I'm not qualified for, them sooner than later realizing I'm not qualified for it, and then losing it. Advice?