How to approach a prospective employer?

[Cosmophylla]

I've been a stay at home mum for seven years now and to say I've got itchy feet is putting it mildly. A friend is giving me some casual work helping her do her job (she is environmental project officer at our local council) so I am finally employed again an,d can update my resume.

There's a job in this week's newspaper for a company I'd LOVE to work for. The job says, "two positions available, full time, for a Gardener and Landscaper. Must be experienced and professional." Now I'm not sure if that means they want one gardener and one landscaper, or two people to be gardener/landscapers. Can anyone advise me?

My main question is about whether it is even worth going for this job. I would love to be a professional gardener and get paid to do something I am good at. But I don't have a formal qualification (diploma, etc.) in horticulture, nor have I been hired for any horticultural services. I've done loads of volunteering in environmental services, and have my own productive garden, can do garden plans easily due to visual thinking processes, etc. I mean, gardening is my favourite thing in the world!

But how do I convince someone to hire me based on that???

I'm convinced that if I do the usual formal style application and let my resume speak for me I will consequently be overlooked for the job. I could possibly tweak my resume to show my visual thinking skills, etc.?

Alternatively, I could do the honest, informal approach and appeal as a gardening-obsessed Aspie, and ask for an interview and a chance to show what I can do.

What do people think???. Please advise me... Decision making is not a strong point of mine and it is likely I'll not even try if I delay too long!

 

[Slithytoves]

If I had to guess, I'd say they are looking for two gardeners-and-landscapers. Grammar often isn't ideal in newspaper ads. The best way to be sure is to call them and ask. You don't have to identify yourself.

Is the name of the company listed in the ad? You may want to check out their website, to see exactly what services they offer and maybe get an idea of how they operate. If it looks like they mostly do design and installation, they will probably be more demanding about credentials and experience than if they seem to do an equal amount of general upkeep.

Business like that are usually private and small, so they have to maximize every employee. But if you could write a creative, convincing cover letter, including an indication that you have some solid hobby knowledge, they may decide you're worth interviewing despite your lack of formal experience. A uniquely-crafted resume that emphasizes your skills (like you asked about) could also help make you a standout. Small businesses can often be better than corporations about giving novices a chance; since you wouldn't be coming in with too many preconceived ideas, they could mold you into their ideal employee. A statement along that line might be a good argument to make in a cover letter.

I wouldn't mention that you're an Aspie, even though I personally think of it as a bonus to many jobs. You can't know what preconceptions a business owner might have about ASDs; stereotypes and concerns about possible accommodations could be discouraging. You can demonstrate your Aspie passion for the field without labeling it as such.

It's always worth a shot to go for something you want. I'd say do it! Good luck.

 

[Cosmophylla]

Thank you so much for your well crafted response.

The first thing I did was look at their website to see the work they do and what kind of people are on the team. The work they do is right up my alley. All the employees are men, and most specialise in something - stonework, turf, plant physiology, pest management, native plants, etc. I also saw a claim that all staff have a minimum cert III in horticulture (nationally accredited type of qualification in Oz). Since I don't have one I think it's probably going to be a waste of their time to apply. But I am still considering it. I could try framing my application to say I will get the qualification if they require it, and that I am especially knowledgable about productive gardening, something I noticed nobody was a specialist in...

An amazing thing happened while talking to my friend/boss about this... She told me there is a full time landscape project officer job coming up on her team in a couple of weeks! I feel I would have a good chance of getting this job because I already work for her, plus I have a history of volunteering with the council and locally doing what they are looking for (someone to manage developments, native vegetation, and monitor native and exotic plantings). I'm also in the newspaper this week because we had a National Tree Day planting event that I was working at, so that's a great thing to show them!

my friend/boss also offered to help me write an application for the gardener/landscaper job, which was great. I don't know if she's Aspie but she knows I am and we both have sons who we think are Aspie.

Fingers crossed.