What are minimum and preferred qualifications?
The minimum qualifications listed on a job posting outline the work experience, education/training and/or licensure you must have to be considered for that job. Preferred Qualifications may also be listed. Applicants meeting the preferred qualifications are usually given priority consideration in screening and hiring for that particular job posting. For certain jobs, an agency may require you to complete additional screening procedures before hiring. These could include work samples, skills tests, written tests, and/or physical ability or medical requirements. The agency may also require a criminal background check or drug test. This information will be indicated on the job posting.
Minimum qualifications are the amount and type of work experience, education, training and/or licensure you are required to have to be considered for a job. For example, if a job’s minimum qualifications call for a high school diploma or a GED and you only have an 8th grade education, you do not meet the minimum requirement for the job and will not be considered for employment in that specific classification. Preferred qualifications are qualifications in addition to the minimum qualifications which help describe the ideal applicant. Minimally qualified applicants who also have the preferred qualifications may be given first consideration in screening and hiring for a particular vacancy.
The “Minimum Qualifications” listed for a vacancy are the amount and type of work experience, education/training and/or licensure you need to have to be considered for that job. Qualifications might also be stated in terms of minimum competencies. You may also see “Preferred Qualifications”. Applicants with these competencies, education or experience will usually be given first consideration in screening and hiring for that particular vacancy. For certain jobs, an agency may require you to complete additional screening procedures before hiring. These could include work samples, and/or physical ability or medical requirements. The agency may also require a criminal background check, polygraph examination or drug test.
