Not having all of the qualifications…

60 Comments

1. KatJuly 2,2023 at 3:26PM UTC

   Women ("females" sounds like AI wrote the question) often feel they must meet all the qualifications listed in order to apply. Studies back this up, showing men apply if they meet around 65% of the qualifications. It's so common I see many job ads that say "apply even if you don't have all the qualifications" to encourage women interested to apply. I think it stems from women wanting to be people pleasers and feeling that they won't be considered if they are missing items listed. Many women are also risk averse, so they might think it's not worth it. If you're interested in a job, apply! Match your skills on your resume to the job description and include why you'd be a good fit for the job and company.

2. MistyJuly 2,2023 at 3:42PM UTC

   Thanks! No, AI didn't write it, I did. I get bogged down when reading through the qualifications and hearing about how no one is hiring or anyone (on here) is able to find a job that I just don't follow through.

3. AnonymousJuly 2,2023 at 5:09PM UTC

   I get wanting to try - don't ask, no-- right??

   Regardless - as long as you can tailor the resume to fit the ad (with minor stretching), go for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother because usually it's a gut feeling --

4. MistyJuly 2,2023 at 7:55PM UTC

   Thank you! I’m actually in that position right now!

5. AnonymousJuly 2,2023 at 8:26PM UTC

   Good! Go for it!

   My current job was, not a long shot but a "I'm so sick of looking, can't hurt to apply" thought.

   You never know and you have to market yourself well as I learned on this opportunity.

   The work is nothing as they described (to some extent) but I'm eagerly doing what they want (when they know what they want! Lolllll!!!)

   You got this!!!

6. MistyJuly 3,2023 at 8:49PM UTC

   Thank you!

7. Norman60$sbcJuly 3,2023 at 9:10PM UTC

   No problem! Often, employers have no clue what they want or need. Wish lists are great for them but unrealistic I've seen ads for a bookkeeper paying nothing but requiring a CPA) I've applied for those because I can do the work they describe in paragraphs(!!) And no CPA will understandably work for nothing.

   It's truly hard to know anymore about anything - tracking systems, "qualifications", etc. I've seen people get hired that shouldn't be and I've seen good people passed up for some ridiculous reasons.

   Like one person said..... don't try then it is a "no"!!

8. Alexis GladstoneJuly 2,2023 at 9:12PM UTC

   As Kat said, a much higher percentage of men apply when they don't check all the boxes, than women do. My belief is that the more of us who go for it, and have success stories to share, the more it will encourage other women to try!

   A lot of my clients have started the conversations around hiring for soft skills and training the for the more technical aspects of the job. Of course this depends on the role and industry. I think this may start to give women a bit leg up in many instances while.

   My advice is that if you don't try, the answer is always no. Highlight the parts of the qualifications you do have, think about transferable skills that will help with the qualifications you don't quite meet and highlight those too.

9. AnonymousJuly 2,2023 at 9:27PM UTC

   In my experience, so few people can "check off all the boxes" that it never hurts to try. Make sure you have the big ones covered, but if it asks for ten years of experience and you have five, that would be worth going for. Make sure you have plenty of accomplishments in your resume to back it up. That also works for some of the minor skills or experience that you have other transferrable skills that could compensate for.

10. AnonymousJuly 3,2023 at 12:34AM UTC

    I regularly review people who don't have all qualifications, but I'm also super clear on what is non-negotiable such as education level. But if we're looking for someone with 5 years experience and you have 3 - I would definitely look into you further.

11. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 3,2023 at 4:37AM UTC

    It can depend on which qualifications you're talking about. Are they Required Qualifications or Preferred Qualifications?

    For companies in the US that follow OFCCP guidelines - and that's a lot of companies - you must meet 100% of the Required Qualifications for them to legally be able to consider you as a candidate.

    How far off are you? If they require 5 years experience in X and you have 4, I would absolutely try.

    If they require a specific degree or certification you don't have, I don't think I would.

    I would recommend you consider your appetite for rejection. I would caution that applying for positions that you're not qualified for can increase the number of rejections you receive, increase feeling frustrated - so if you're going to be "shooting your shot", you can't let it affect your mental health.

    Please let me know if you have any questions.

12. Heather (she/her)July 3,2023 at 12:13PM UTC

    The general statement is that (in general) men apply for jobs they're only 60% qualified for, while women tend to apply only once they're 100% qualified. I'd say this - if you truly think you can do the job well, apply, even if you don't have every listed qualification. Job descriptions are often standardized, and not always reviewed carefully by the actual hiring manager, so it's totally possible (in my experience) for a job listing to include as "required" things that really aren't.

    Essentially, it never hurts to try.

13. Mary PoolJuly 3,2023 at 12:34PM UTC

    How will you ever grow if you only apply for positions you are 100% qualified for?

14. Diane McDevittJuly 3,2023 at 2:05PM UTC

    I have done this. I have new rules now --- If I don't go after what I want, I will never have it. If I don't ask, the answer is always NO. If I don't step forward, I'm always in the same place. And some fool of a football player/coach (don't know) once said, you miss ALL of the shots you don't take.

15. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJuly 3,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

    Job ads are wish lists for the employers.

    Yes you should apply if you miss a few. My usual advice is if you meet the minimum mandatory requirements and need to learn a few others, go ahead. If you read the job description and know you could do it with minimal training, go ahead and apply.

    I’ve even been a hiring manager and selected someone who didn’t meet the education requirements because she was otherwise perfect for the role. It also helped that we knew her. And I’ve seen a very competent colleague with only a B.S. hired into a role that was M.S. required due to a failed search with candidates who met the education requirements.

    So even if a minimum requirement like education is missing, consider if you can do the role. If they can’t find someone who fulfills their wishlist, they’ll broaden their scope.

    If it’s a matter of a required license (eg social work or counseling) then don’t apply if you don’t have a legal license.

    The long and short of it: don’t screen yourself out.

16. MistyJuly 3,2023 at 8:47PM UTC

    Thank you so much! It makes sense...

17. AnonymousJuly 3,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

    It's wise for anyone to apply for a position even if they don't have all of the qualifications. Many times, bullet points are wish lists or "ideal", but there's likely flexibility or a rank priority that could make a candidate appealing, even if they don't meet every point.

18. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 2:46AM UTC

    Most jobs have a minimum qualifications (so these are the boxes you would most likely need to be able to check), but also have preferred or desired qualifications/skills, and those are a bit more lax. What I would also suggest is to look for their diversity and inclusion reports as many companies are not only trying to hire more women, but provide opportunities for more women to be hired into or grow into leadership positions.

19. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 5:41AM UTC

    Possessing at least most of the stated qualifications is important, but it's more important to be confident that you know how to do the job. If your particular background isn't what they ideally envisioned, but you know how you'd approach the role and be successful in it, then go for it.

20. Explorer739144July 4,2023 at 12:11PM UTC

    Men do it all the time.

21. GirlBossanova934974July 4,2023 at 12:15PM UTC

    The first thing to understand is that a lot of these companies throw together a list of job qualifications like a hungry time constrained person shops in a grocery store. Oh let's see! That looks good. Let's get some of that.......and that looks pretty good over there. Throw some in the basket. OH. Better not forget that. Toss some in! Understand now? THE TRICK is when you get to the actual interview with the hiring manager or so called team. Now you have to figure out what they are really looking for and what is really wanted. Lots of time, there is a hidden bias from someone else who left the role who did NOT have a certain skillset and as a result, things did not go so well. You would think people would learn from those experiences and stop all the job application Kabuki Theater and simply be up front with applicants. We want 4 things and XYZ had better be one of them. Alas, that is too simple!

22. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 12:33PM UTC

    To add to that, employers have no idea of the job! My role has changed monthly since I started and I'm truly feeling like I was set up for failure despite doing as asked, going above and beyond etc......

    One day they like what I do and the next..... don't like it.

    I went on vacation after training and was gone 4 business days. Came back and processes changed AGAIN

23. GirlBossanova934974July 4,2023 at 9:11PM UTC

    Sounds like TOO MANY cooks in the kitchen......We had a similar thing happen to our organization in the last 2 months. 2 managers/directors battling it out for the last 6 weeks as to what 3rd quarter and 4th quarter KPIs would look like. STILL NO AGREEMENT! Work on this? No, work on that! Resources are constantly being re-allocated and projects are getting cancelled and then reinstated.

24. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 4,2023 at 11:02PM UTC

    I do not know what kind of companies you've worked at but at the companies I've worked at, job descriptions are most certainly not "thrown together". They are created in collaboration with the hiring manager, HR and sometimes Legal.

    When we're getting ready to post every new job, the recruiter goes over the job description with the hiring manager to see if there is anything we need to add or delete from that particular requisition based on the weaknesses or strengths of the team the new employee will be joining.

25. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 12:25PM UTC

    i remember seeing a tweet about a developper saw a job posting asking 4 plus years of exp in his program, too bad he only had 2 years since he developped it..... it is all about being smart about it.if the job posting asks for 10 years experience as a manager and i have never been manager , well i won't apply.

26. Lynn WilliamsJuly 4,2023 at 12:44PM UTC

    Just saw a post on LinkIn and it said - 90% of all jobs can be taught - give people a chance! Even if you don't have all the qualifications listed - apply. Skills are transferrable and you will bring something new to the position. Good luck.

27. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 2:48PM UTC

    I agree that women should apply even if they don’t meet all of the qualifications. Men do it all the time. But in so many interviews I’ve had in the past, many hiring managers said they wanted the person they hire to ‘hit the ground running’ on day 1. I would love to know everyone’s thoughts on that because I’m not certain that is possible- is that really the expectation? Or is that just something some managers say in interviews because they think that so what they should say?

28. Hilary GrayJuly 4,2023 at 3:09PM UTC

    Hiring managers tend to look for people with about 80% qualification match. 'Hit the ground running' means different things to different people. For example, in my current position, I am the only person who does my job and I had no training, so I had to effectively create my role and figure everything out as I went along. Other places will absolutely provide training, so I do think that it is something a lot of people will say because they want someone motivated, enthusiastic, etc. I definitely think women should apply even if they don't hit every single qualification - so much can be learned with a quick Google search these days!

29. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 3:42PM UTC

    Absolutely! I used to ONLY apply for jobs when I had 100% of the qualifications listed. And then I heard about this. I applied for my current job with 60% of the qualifications. I got an interview, and I googled enough about the other qualifications to be able to speak about it albeit high level in the interview.

    I got the job, paying 85% MORE than my previous role. The manager put me in an intense training program so I could learn the stuff I didn’t know, and it’s been great so far! I’ve now been here 18 months and I’m very happy.

30. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 6:43PM UTC

    Yes!!! Love this!!! Always leave room for growth in applying for any job.

31. Danielle SimonJuly 4,2023 at 3:43PM UTC

    Right now, even applying to jobs for which you 100% qualify seems like a waste of time and results in frustrating rejections. Even men are experiencing this. It might be good advice in a normal job market, but not right now.

32. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 5:29PM UTC

    ALWAYS! And ABSOLUTELY correct! Men do this all the time and don't even flinch. Be the confident woman that you are, let the prospective employer know where your strengths are and what appealed to you about the role, what your reasons for looking are (if relevant) and as much as possible about your availability to speak directly to them. Push the envelope, you can't get it if you don't ask for it! Make that bold step.

33. MistyJuly 4,2023 at 6:43PM UTC

    Thank you for this! I need some confidence!

34. Mary CrawleyJuly 4,2023 at 8:24PM UTC

    YES! Job descriptions are not always accurate.

35. ChristineJuly 5,2023 at 12:10PM UTC

    I would apply, especially if you feel you can do the job. I applied for a job that required an MBA (which was way more thank the job needed in my humble opinion) and I only had an Associate's. They took my work and life experience into consideration and I was chosen for the job! Good luck to you.

36. Ericka PerryJuly 5,2023 at 1:16PM UTC

    I am a Diversity Lead for Talent Acquisition and I absolutely agree that you should apply. It is important to note that some hiring managers are willing to train you up if you have most or even the top rated qualifications. Sometimes we find that a lot of the standard descriptions are things that are cookie cutter and used over and over, however, the hiring manager may be willing to accept other skills in place of what is actually listed. Please, please, please, if you feel like you are qualified, always apply!

37. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 1:18PM UTC

    I did this for a management position at a company that I was already working for to seek a promotion. I was about 85-90% qualified based upon the skills and duties in the job description. In fact, I had been successfully performing the duties of the manager role in a 9 month stretch assignment when the previous manager retired. My performance was rated as "excellent" by my supervisor. I applied and was invited to interview in two panel interviews. At first, by all accounts the interview panels and HR hiring committee had agreed that I was the leading candidate. It was looking so promising. But at the last minute on a Friday evening, the hiring committee suddenly disqualified me due to their "semantic interpretation" of what it means to be a "manager". HR admitted that the hiring committee was hung up on a definition and duties that were not expressly defined in the job description. They interpreted a manager as solely one who manages people, whereas the exact job description defined the role as one who manages processes and systems. Nowhere in the job description was there a requirement for managing people nor was there any mention of it in the two interviews. It did not matter that I had all other prerequisite skills nor did HR consider that they could have hired me on condition that I complete their "Emerging Leaders" program to train up on the skills they thought I lacked. I was simply told that "I was interviewed by mistake." But twice? How does that happen. It was heartbreaking, humiliating, and it broke my faith in the hiring process at the company. So I would say research the company you are applying for red flags and be prepared to address any "gotcha" type of situations so you don't waste your time going through institutionalized insanity.

38. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 2:07PM UTC

    This has worked out successfully for me a few times. I would always apply.

39. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 2:13PM UTC

    Men do this all the time, and studies have shown it's part of the reason why they make more money and rise more quickly in their professions.

    Go for it!

40. SarahJuly 5,2023 at 2:35PM UTC

    As someone who is currently hiring, I would say apply but keep in mind that some employers are looking for specific skills. Be honest what your expertise is but try to bring it around to skills you already have that can translate to the skill that you don't have.

41. DeBorah WalkerJuly 5,2023 at 6:01PM UTC

    Transferable skills!!!

42. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 2:52PM UTC

    Why females?

43. Farah BajwaJuly 5,2023 at 3:58PM UTC

    I think its because men are more known to apply for jobs they aren't qualified for and women are more hesitant to do so?? :)

44. Farah BajwaJuly 5,2023 at 3:58PM UTC

    Yes! The job description is the company's wishlist. They may see a qualification you have that may outweigh on of the other; or they may see opportunity to train you.

45. DeBorah WalkerJuly 5,2023 at 6:00PM UTC

    Love this!...I will remember this when I am applying.

46. Juanita BrownJuly 5,2023 at 4:57PM UTC

    I tell my clients to apply regardless of their gender.

47. Cindy GrossJuly 5,2023 at 5:46PM UTC

    Think of it more like will you be willing and able to exercise 80-90% of those skills within 12 months of being hired. Do you WANT to grow into the skills you haven't yet learned or practiced "enough" (whatever that means to you and the company) and are they reasonably within reach with a bit of support and a good onboarding program?

    Studies show women are less likely to apply unless they meet all the requirements, and that is often interpreted to mean we are less confident or that we should apply just like men tend to do - when we meet 50-70% of the requirements. That's sometimes the case, and sometimes our instincts are detecting that an overlong list of requirements is a bucket of red flags. Explore it, be open to listening differently to your instincts then choose how to incorporate those instincts into your choices, and accept the fact that when you cast a wider net you may face more rejections aka learning experiences.

    #BefriendingDragons

48. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 6:24PM UTC

    Apply regardless of gender. Also apply to jobs that you don't meet all the listed qualifications (if you are wanting to grow and learn).

    Would be pretty boring if it was a job you're 100% qualified for, no?

49. Lynn KleinJuly 5,2023 at 6:44PM UTC

    Nobody ever has every requirement of the jobs I post. But if they half or more I can make the assumption that they can be trained for the other half.

50. Christy R.July 5,2023 at 9:09PM UTC

    Always apply! No one has ALL the requirements listed. If you are interested in the position always apply.

51. tiffany birchJuly 5,2023 at 9:31PM UTC

    I join the pool of who has all the requirements listed in a position. Hard skills can be learned. Soft skills such as active listening, teachable, communication, dedication, accountable, passion and responsible come from "within." Go with your internal guidance, when it feels like a good fit to stretch some, then do it.

52. Anna Marie HornJuly 6,2023 at 2:40AM UTC

    I just started a brand new job in the dental/orthodontics industry which I have no experience in, however, the doctor that I interviewed with said I am exactly what he is looking for because of my experiences and my soft skills. It is exactly what I am looking for with driving distance and hours, and he is compensating me for my skills. I say go for it!

53. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 12:54PM UTC

    What! Male OR female, I would suggest applying! Typically, companies just list their ideal candidate and you'd be surprised at who they actually end up hiring. Best of luck!

54. Kimberly WorrickJuly 6,2023 at 3:45PM UTC

    Firstly you might reconsider your word choices. Females comes across as derogatory to women. Secondly even if you don't have all the qualifications apply to the position you want anyway. It never hurts and it gives you an idea of what upskilling you might need to do.

55. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 8:48PM UTC

    Respectfully disagree.

    I am a female and proud to identify as such. Not a derogatory term. It is God-given.

    To the poster, YES apply for any position (regardless of female or male gender). If you haven't 100% of the qualifications posted, still apply. Gives room to learn, grow, and not be bored. Shows initiative as well. Best wishes in your job search!

56. MistyJuly 7,2023 at 6:55PM UTC

    Thank you!!

57. MistyJuly 6,2023 at 10:19PM UTC

    Sorry didn’t mean to.

58. MarissaJuly 6,2023 at 5:41PM UTC

    Agree - I heard a stat previously that men will apply to a role even if they only meet 3 or 4 out of 10 qualifications, and women typically won’t apply unless they meet 7 or 8. Always a good idea to try for a role you want, you can highlight other qualifications you bring to the roles and why you’d be a good candidate, even if you don’t meet ALL their qualifications (most people don’t).

59. Diane McDevittJuly 6,2023 at 6:28PM UTC

    Job descriptiuons are wish lists, apply.

60. AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 10:21PM UTC

    Just be able to explain in your cover letter, how your transferrable skills make you a good candidate for the job. Here's a formula for highlighting your transferable skills when you haven't held the exact position for which you're applying.

    •As a [prior role], I [explain a responsibility], which taught me [transferable skills]. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one as a [new role].

    EX. –As an administrative assistant, I drafted and proofread executive correspondence, which taught me how to write persuasively for a variety of audiences and with different goals in mind. That’s a skill I would draw on from day one as a communications assistant.

    Just also be aware that if you bring mostly transferrable skills, not job specific skills to the job, you may be offered compensation on the lower end of the pay band.

    No go forth and apply, apply, apply!

    Good luck!