Little white truths

I still haven't applied for what I'm going to pre-emptively label my job. Don't worry, I'm not giving up on it, I've just been doing some research and preparation beforehand - forearmed is forewarned, to trot out a comforting cliche. I've learned for example, that the particular branch that's being set up will open with a staff of 10, with larger numbers coming on board the following year. It's a comfortingly small number, despite the fact that this can only result in increased competition for the available posts - competition which I'll hazard will be quite fierce. But I'm relatively sanguine about it : nothing ventured, nothing gained. Nothing to lose.

The process of applying for the job involves filling out an application form online. I haven't completed it, but I've stared at it and thought about it a lot. Several open ended questions and one important true/false checkbox that I'll come back to in a moment. I spent some time writing answers to the first few questions, in my usual reticent, unflattering and brutally honest manner, and surprisingly, having read over what I've written so far, even I'd have to admit that I sound like an capable candidate, perhaps even an impressive one - on paper at least.

But there remains one outstanding question, that all important checkbox which troubles me so. It simply asks if I have experience of a number of technologies. And the majority I do, at what I consider to be an extremely high level - and certainly those what I consider the significant skills. But there are two outstanding skills that I must confess I'm far from expert at. Hence my quandary: do I check the box, perhaps falsely giving the impression that I'm more capable than I actually am, or leave it unchecked, but risk forfeiting my chances at an early stage.

I discussed the situation with a friend at work, and, having read the question, he pointed it out that I wasn't being asked to rate my skills, rather it merely enquired as to whether I had experience of these technologies. From that viewpoint, I may yet be able to answer yes with a clear conscience, since it is true... from a certain point of view. I feel as though I've veered into morally grey territory, but I feel I owe it to myself to give myself every available opportunity.

Decisions, decisions...