I am learning the hard way that 12+ years of experience at one company doesn't necessarily translate as "above entry level" outside of that company.

68 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 20,2022 at 2:46PM UTC

   Keep in mind that job posting is in some ways a wish list from the employer. If you have 60-75% of what the posting lists, there's a good chance you're qualified for the position. Good luck!

2. AnonymousApril 20,2022 at 4:13PM UTC

   Agreed! Apply for it anyway. Don't count yourself out before trying --- apply for that job! Good luck to you.

3. KatApril 20,2022 at 4:28PM UTC

   Women tend to only apply for jobs they match 100% of the qualifications and skills listed. You're more qualified than you think, and not just for entry level jobs! Don't restrict yourself so much. If you like the job, apply. Customize your resume according to the job ad. Use the cover letter to show how you're right for the job. Look outside your industry if you think a pivot might help you find fresh opportunities.

4. AnonymousApril 20,2022 at 4:28PM UTC

   I would apply to any and all positions that speak to your skills. I would also have a professional take a look at your resume and maybe reframe some of your experience to better match the current job descriptions. You might be better qualified than you think.

   Also, don't forget to network and let folks know you're looking.

5. AnonymousApril 20,2022 at 4:33PM UTC

   I would still apply to those positions that you are 60-75% qualified for. Nobody is a 100% match for a position. I would also consider having someone you trust go through skills they believe you have. We can often be our harshest critics and miss skills that we often have or we forget about something we have done. This helped me better highlight skills I already had but couldn't conceptualize them in a resume well.

   I would also look at next-step jobs and see what skills you are missing. Make a list and see how you can improve upon these skills. Online certificate courses, growing them in your current position while you continue to search, etc.

6. Kristie WhiteApril 20,2022 at 4:37PM UTC

   There are studies out there that identified that men will apply for a job if they are only 60-75% qualified while women won't apply unless they are 90% qualified. It is one of the reasons men continue to outpace women in upward movement. So APPLY! There is a lot you can learn on the job, and you don't want a job where there is no learning curve. If there is no learning curve, then it is a lateral move not an upward move. So go get that job!

7. AnonymousApril 20,2022 at 5:28PM UTC

   Yes, good feedback here and don't be held back. Remember, many times job descriptions are just an HR dream list. Unless they ask for specific qualification like MBA or specialized skill, but most times your experience counts more! I found out they paid a guy more for my former job and I had more education and experience. Ugh.

8. Julia KongApril 21,2022 at 1:41AM UTC

   Some job descriptions are looking for a unicorn! If you are 60-75% qualified, then you may want to consider applying especially if it is a role or company you are very interested in! Sometimes that can even open doors even if it is not for that particular role you apply to. I wish you all the very best in your job search. This is time for you to showcase the skills and experience you gained at your current company and how that can add value to where you want to go next!

9. Tomilyn RichardsApril 21,2022 at 11:36AM UTC

   Do NOT be affraid to stand your ground and ask for a wage that is healthy for you. being 65-70% of a job can be a great fit for both you and the company. You reengage in learning and growing your toolkit.. and they get a motivated engaged employee ready to make it happen!! Women by statistic are much less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all or mostly all the qualifications. Break the mold... APPLY!! Go for it!!

10. AnonymousApril 21,2022 at 12:09PM UTC

    Think about this: From what I've read, women are much less likely than men to apply for a job where they meet about 60% of the requirements. If the job really interests you, why not apply? Yes, you set yourself up for rejection, so be prepared for that. On the other hand, the company could be willing to compromise on tasks for the right candidate - or farm out some of the work or provide training.

11. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 12:21PM UTC

    Job descriptions are typically the ideal or dream candidate, but rarely do we hire employees that fit all of the criteria, just the main core job requirements.

    Don’t sell yourself short. There is always a learning curve, but if these are critical points to the job, then start working on those areas now. It never hurts to apply. A killer resume, cover letter and attitude are key! Good luck!

12. Michele KingApril 22,2022 at 12:21PM UTC

    Apply! And read between the lines on the job descriptions because sometimes what you "don't know" you actually do. Most employers don't expect you to know or do every single thing on the job description. They just want someone with the knowledge to be able to learn to do them. If you meet 60%-70% of the job description, you're in the zone. Go for it!

13. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 12:23PM UTC

    To add to all of these great responses, 65-70% is more than enough to apply--at worst, your rejected (which, admittedly, can be exhausting and discouraging after a while) but at best you begin a job that allows you room to develop and grow.

    I am sharing from experience, when you start a job that has 100% match, it gets stale very quickly because you're not learning, growing ir being challenged, and you'll be looking to move again within the year.

14. Bradford McCormickApril 22,2022 at 12:36PM UTC

    You are rightly disappointed. But are you sure the grass will be greener some place else? Is your current job OK? Are you being picked on, micro-managed or other bad things? We cannot always have everything we want in this life. Feelings don't pay the mortgage or a lovely vacation trip or even a bottle of good wine. It's none of my business, but if it was me I'd add up all the items on my ledger and see what the bottom line looks like, not be swayed by emotions.

15. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 12:42PM UTC

    We should aim for having everything we want and not get caught up in comfortable.

    Peace of mind and mental health is worth more than a bottle of wine.

16. Bernadette M MartinezApril 22,2022 at 12:45PM UTC

    Except that it is far more common for a woman to be passed up for a promotion even with over a decade of experience than a man. This symbolizes to me a complete cap in the growth that she can attain in this company. If they're going to pass up someone who has that much history and that much company knowledge, they're never going to advance her career any further. It's not about being "emotional", which is an incredibly sexist thing to say at all. It's about the fact that this is a wake up call to her if she ever wants to be anything more than the position that she is. This would be enough to make me leave a company. Simply because OP did not mention specifically a laundry list of "bad enough" things to sway someone else, doesn't mean that she will ever get past this insulting rejection.

17. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 12:44PM UTC

    I was with one company for 15 years, I know the feeling.
    I decided to leave to go to a higher position and ever since then I have been a “job switcher”, every 12-18 months I switch companies to catch up on skills I missed (I am in IT so this is the norm today). One thing I noticed that during my interview process many companies looked down upon me being in 1 company for 15 years, even though I highlighted the many different projects and positions I’ve held, it just looked bad in their view. Again, starting a new job you will have to be uncomfortable and I do think a lot of companies are ok with someone that only has 75% of the knowledge, you just need to learn how to sell yourself. The first 3 months are hell anyway for anyone, you must learn the job, the people, and you pick up new skills along the way. I would really weigh the pros and cons of staying/leaving with your values/goals. In todays economy, learning new skills constantly and being uncomfortable is the new normal. Good luck!

18. GirlBossanova934974April 22,2022 at 12:45PM UTC

    Perhaps you can sign up for a few online courses to get the other 20-30% you are missing? Lots of free Youtube stuff out there these days which was not available just a few short years ago. Qualifications? The more senior they are these days, the less qualified they are for the promotions they have been given.........Lots of retirements have left many companies looking for replacements.

19. Bernadette M MartinezApril 22,2022 at 12:48PM UTC

    I doubt very much that you'd have to take a pay cut. As other people of mentioned, those laundry lists in ads are the ideal or dream candidate. If someone has 60% of that, companies are generally thrilled. The fact that you've been in your industry for over a decade and have a wealth of knowledge to bring with you make you more valuable. If it's a job that you know you can do, even if you aren't 100% qualified, go after it. You know you're worth and you know what you're capable of. There is absolutely no reason that you shouldn't apply to these positions and expect a comparable or increased salary to what you currently earn. If a company says that you're not even worth that, they can go hire someone fresh out of college.

20. bethApril 22,2022 at 12:51PM UTC

    Echoing great advice here -- apply for anything that looks interesting and that you have some skills/experience -- it's not your job to reject yourself!!! Beyond that, reach out to connections at the company, learn about the culture and the position and show interest in learning more. Interview them to see if it's a good fit for you. Interviewing, even if you're not 100% sure that you're leaving, is good for helping you make your case at your current company and better understand your worth. Knowing that you have options or what you need to build up is very helpful in your own career development. Good luck!

21. Robin WApril 22,2022 at 12:52PM UTC

    I would say to tailor your resume for the qualifications you do have on the positions you want and then go get the qualifications you don't have. You can do this by taking classes, volunteering picking up a certification. Set your goals and then do what it takes to make them happen. It is a perfect time to go after what you want in the work place. You shouldn't have to take a pay cut to do that, you have a job, so be selective in where you want your next move to be.

22. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 12:58PM UTC

    If you're 60-75% qualified you should still apply. You don't have to have 100% of the line items to be considered.

23. Eve SweetingApril 22,2022 at 1:04PM UTC

    Not a comment on your situation directly, but sometimes doing the same job for 12 years doesn't show growth and learning. Let's say it takes 12 months to learn the job, another 12 to get good at it, then the other 10 years are just on repeat.

    I've seen many people fall into that trap of thinking longevity in a role is good. But that only works if there is growth in knowledge, skills, and abilities.

24. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 1:29PM UTC

    agree 100%

25. LFApril 22,2022 at 3:33PM UTC

    But we don’t know if she was doing the same job for 12 years or had a lot of different roles in the same company.

26. Pratyusha PutrevuApril 22,2022 at 1:05PM UTC

    Apply anyway!! 60-75% is good enough these days and you'll usually get through to the interviews. Start interviewing for the positions that you want and in the worst case scenario, you'll know exactly the kind of questions that are asked and the skills they are strictly looking for. Taylor your resume to match the skills on the job description and keep applying. Good luck!

27. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 1:18PM UTC

    If you wanted that promotion the first thing I would do is go back to your manager/ HR and ask “What skills and behaviors do I need to develop in order to be the number 1 candidate for the next promotion opportunity” which if you stay helps you get the job next time and signals engagement and positive intent to your employer. If they can’t give you that feedback then make plans to leave sooner rather than later. In any case I would apply for other jobs that are better than what you currently have . As others have said the requirements are their ideal candidate not what they expect to get. In my experience, many men apply for positions where they have less than 50% of the requirements and still believe they’re a great candidate so go for it and good luck :-)

28. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 1:25PM UTC

    Please go boldly into the marketplace and apply anyway to what interests you. (Have you heard the stat about men consistently applying for jobs where they have 60-75% qualifications, while women tend to forgo opportunities if they don’t deem themselves virtually 100% qualified? )

    You may be surprised at how well your experience is received by prospective employers — and if you want something other than a lateral move, you can expect a learning curve and the fact there will be new skills to develop.

    About salary: the job search is a two-way street. If another company will not pay what you need/want, you’re not bound to pursue the opportunity or accept an offer.

    Hope you’ll put yourself out there. Best of luck!

29. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 1:28PM UTC

    I've read your post a couple of times to get a feel and good understanding of your issue. Firstly, I get a good vibe from you. You are not whining. You are objective about your work ethic (which is very good) but your lack of some qualifications. This makes you a real gem in the category called "Excellent employee". So now...this isn't enough. You've gained alot of experience in how this company works and you are that Girl Friday who can do alot of stuff, but you've not increased your skill set to be more competitive within and outside the company. So...might I suggest that you take a class, get a certification, advance your education (slowly, online and i know it's hard- I've done it!)--but realistically, it sounds like you're lacking hard skills that your employer and others want/need. It's sad that working hard and having a good attitude aren't enough, but they are not. This is my advice, dear friend. But adding that you've got a great attitude and spirit, so keep your chin up...Good things are waiting for you.

30. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 2:03PM UTC

    I love this!
    It also sounds like you have a somewhat decent relationship with your employer/manager? Is it an option to talk with them about the skills they wanted for the promotion and ways you might be able to strengthen them within the organization before leaving? Maybe they can help pay for a certification or any additional classes you might want. So many people are leaving organizations, I'm seeing a new trend with some employers doing a bit to retain good people. You honestly sound like good people. Completely agree with the above poster-it's hard and challenging, but if you're willing to put in the effort, I think it will pay off for you tremendously!

    Let me also add, you would be surprised what a good interview can do! I recently applied for a role I was excited about. My resume was tailored for the role and I was offered an interview. After the interview (like a few hours) I was asked to have an in person interview with the hiring manager because the feedback from the interview was that I was overqualified for the original role, but could be a good fit for a different role. When looking at the description, I was honest and said I would have never applied for this - I don't have all the required experience. Do you know what they told me - we can teach you. You demonstrated a willingness to learn in your interview, and that is harder to find than any software experience. Don't sell yourself short!

31. Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)April 22,2022 at 1:35PM UTC

    The job posting is more like a wish list - it's very rare when someone meets 100% of the qualifications! Always apply, even if you believe you're only 60-75% qualified for the role. Believe me, men apply even if they don't tick all the boxes. Why should we be any different?

32. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

    For me, "hurts my soul" is the key - you can't stay anymore and this is your time to make a break. Go for any job where you have over 50% skillset & experience. They will shortlist you against other candidates that applied. Gonna be honest sometimes interview panels are in denial about what sort of candidate they want vs. what they get. They want a perfect candidate but that person would be going for a level higher and more money, plus none of them were perfect candidates wen they applied for their role. Keep at it, don't compromise on salary, get as much interview practice in and see where it takes you.

33. Thalia MoshosApril 22,2022 at 2:02PM UTC

    Companies just don't want to train anymore.

34. Julee WitteApril 22,2022 at 2:06PM UTC

    In my experience… training is an art that has been lost in this digital era. Everyone wants to google it

35. Heather ScofieldApril 22,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

    The job postings out there are intimidating. I hate that companies do that. Just muster up your courage, revise your resume to use many of the same words and phrases you are seeing in those job ads, and put yourself out there. You're probably more qualified than you realize!

36. Thalia MoshosApril 22,2022 at 2:02PM UTC

    Right? I've been applying for 2 years now and nothing.

37. Ciera PrattApril 22,2022 at 2:10PM UTC

    75% is usually enough as long as you are eager and open to keep learning and make that known! Meanwhile, ask for additional projects or work in your current role- you should express that while you didn’t get the other role, you want to grow and need more.

38. Jasmine PowersApril 22,2022 at 2:31PM UTC

    Most job descriptions are aspirational. 60-75% is good and as has likely been stated before, apply anyway. Energy and culture fit probably could make up for any areas where you feel you're lacking. You got this. Apply, apply, apply!

39. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 2:32PM UTC

    I was also in a similar situation. I didn’t get the job. They hired another outside candidate for it. I felt like such a imposter and cried all night for even applying for it. The thing is that the outside people were telling others ‘they have a great internal candidate for the position, don’t even bother applying.’ I still brought my all. But it wasn’t good enough. I have been there for 5 years since then. Only because I haven’t been able to find something else that will pay me what I’m at at the least.

    What I have learned in the five years.

    Draw boundaries right from the start when the person starts. Right off the bat when they started they started assigning me as the lead for certain projects that they should have been leading. I pushed back and said I shouldn’t be the lead and of course they got snappy with me but took on the project.

    Try not to be there to answer all their questions for them. Be a team a player but you don’t owe the person anything. The years of experience and the relationships you built within the company are yours. They need to figure it out. You can direct them to the right people I guess.

    So what I learned from that deep disappointment that I didn’t get the job for whatever reason but I refuse to be their crutch and still help the new person get to my level.

    The one thing I faced that was challenging was trying to figure out “why” but the fact of the matter is, the why doesn’t really matter. They felt we weren’t good enough to be promoted. So I took a step back. I don’t push so hard anymore. I still work my butt off and complete all my tasks in time but I don’t expect anything from my company. They won’t promote me. So I put in my 8-9 hours and call it a day. I don’t worry about my job after hours. I do what I can each day to the best of my ability and that’s it

    I keep looking and applying and interviewing but nothing has come up so far.

    I know you’re hurt but you want to make sure you leave for the right position with the right salary and the location. Don’t screw yourself over.

    Im sending you some positive vibes and hoping that something good comes out of this.

    For me I am able to walk away at the end of day knowing that I did my best and what else is going on is their problem.

    in the meantime please be kind to yourself. Your words have a lot of impact on you.

40. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 6:18PM UTC

    I appreciate you sharing your experience and it is also very true but I also feel a deep sadness for all of it. These companies do not realize how much they did incentivize and discourage excellent stalwart employees

41. Marina ChristiansApril 22,2022 at 2:37PM UTC

    It. only gets worse the longer you stay.

42. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 2:47PM UTC

    Men would almost always apply if they had 51% of the desired qualifications whereas most women only feel they should apply if they have 100% (or at least 95%!) of the desired qualifications. This is one place where you need to think like a man! Plus, you want to continue to grow and learn more things, and the new company wants an employee that’s excited by the opportunity they just got. So rip off the Band-aid and apply. You’re probably way better & way smarter & way more skilled than most of the other applicants. The book “How to Toot Your Own Horn without Blowing It” is great!

43. Tami CainApril 22,2022 at 3:03PM UTC

    Most job descriptions will ask for the optimum skill set they desire, but will definitely consider less, for the right candidate. Don't sell yourself short, you likely have more experience than most of the other candidates that will also apply. Sell yourself and your experience!

44. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 3:23PM UTC

    Exactly; soft skills are incredibly important.

45. ReachingGoalsApril 22,2022 at 3:03PM UTC

    Apply. It doesn't hurt and only takes your time. I'm always happy to look at resumes of people who don't check all the boxes if they have experience somewhere. You never know without an interview who could be an awesome new employee. Life is learning, you can learn new things in a new job.

46. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 3:09PM UTC

    It isn’t just you… but women do this to ourselves… we tend to not apply for a job we aren’t 100% qualified for, self-deselecting. Men don’t feel that obligation at all, they take the risk and believe that they can get up to speed on the rest.

    Apply anyway, what on earth does it hurt?

    Have a good answer for the things you haven’t mastered “I haven’t done precisely x, but I’ve done Y which is quite similar because of Z skills” kind of thing or “I don’t have direct experience with X yet, but I’m am excited for the opportunity to explore that”. Don’t BS about what you can or have done, but don’t discredit yourself either.

    https://hbr.org/2014/08/why-women-dont-apply-for-jobs-unless-theyre-100-qualified

47. MarlainaApril 22,2022 at 3:11PM UTC

    Apply ! Women typically don’t apply unless they have 100% of every requirement, but for men it’s something like 50% or less I think I read once. As women, we regular under value ourselves ( myself included). You likely have a lot of valuable skills. It is all about how you position yourself. I just worked with Erin Thomas ( career coach- highly recommend) on how to better position myself as well. But always apply to these jobs - it doesn’t hurt and you never know either unless you try! Good luck!!

48. Holly HansenApril 22,2022 at 3:21PM UTC

    This sounds tough and frustrating, as it sounds like they did not support encourage you to grow your skills for your career. This sounds like the perfect opportunity to take charge of your own destiny and work to build the skills you want for where you want to go in your career. You can do this a couple of ways. Talk to your manager and talk about your career goals, ask if the company will pay for classes to help you build your skills. If not take charge of deciding what you want to learn and then take classes to gain those skills. ( From Udemy $ to University $$$ ) there are a wide variety of ways to build skillsets you need and want. I know you are frustrated, but you can do this!

49. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 3:22PM UTC

    I've been using LinkedIn Learning to sharpen my technical skills and give myself a competitive edge professionally.

    Additionally, don't sell your soft skills short. Many companies make the mistake of hiring the person who has the technical skills that the position demands, but find that the candidate is lacking in soft skills--which ultimately makes the candidate not a great fit for the company.

50. AnonymousApril 22,2022 at 3:28PM UTC

    I completely understand- after being laid off from a company after 15 years, I am finding a lack of interest in paying me what I believe I’m worth. Don’t sell yourself short. Lots of great advice in the comments- missing one of the recommendations for the role? Apply anyway… I too have been taking some classes via LinkedIn and other portals. Getting some certificates to share will help support your expertise- good luck!!

51. Karen GongawareApril 22,2022 at 5:56PM UTC

    Good grief! 60 to 75% (in your opinion) qualified? Go for it! It's not welding where you have to be 100% qualified! Men don't dither and compare. They see they are 50% and they are on it! Look for transferable skills and play up what you have. You have nothing to lose by applying. If you don't try, it is a zero.

52. CassandraApril 22,2022 at 6:40PM UTC

    Take the shot! Go for it. All you can do is try! And, make note of those skills listed in the job descriptions as a guide to what you can start learning and/or improving.

53. Joanne RosenApril 22,2022 at 6:43PM UTC

    Hi,

    If you have a resume that simply lists 12 years of duties you performed, I'd say they will pass you over. The right resume positions you as an experiences ASSET to the next company.

    We've worked with over 3,000 people and helped them get the jobs they deserve. If you would like a FREE analysis of your current resume, please upload it at: https://www.analyticadvantagecc.com

    Cheers

    Joanne

54. Jennifer WehrendApril 25,2022 at 4:49PM UTC

    Thank you for your helpful post. I've submitted my resume for review.

55. KelliApril 22,2022 at 6:58PM UTC

    Def apply even if you only have 50% of the qualifications. The worst they can say is "no" or offer you less and you say "no." You won't know until you try.

    But I totally feel this. I have a ton of experience in a a lot of different areas, but companies want specialists now. It's frustrating. However, I refuse to give up. I'm still trying, and I'm even starting my own creative products company. I don't know where the success will come from yet, but I'm not giving up. I hope you don't either, even when it hurts. The emotional bruises will heal.

56. AC80ydApril 23,2022 at 5:59PM UTC

    Interesting you should say that companies want specialists now. Back in the day, people would tell me that my specialty will keep me in a silo. I did what I did anyway and worked for decades at perfecting my craft. Too blessed to stress.

57. colleenApril 22,2022 at 7:29PM UTC

    I left my job after 16 years thought it would be easy to find a new one with all my experience but boy was I wrong. going on 8 months of looking. Only have had a few call backs, than nothing.

58. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 22,2022 at 7:37PM UTC

    If you're getting zero interviews, I'd start with the resume.

    What have you done so far in your job search? Where is your resume posted? How often are you updating those profiles? Are you applying to appropriate positions? Is your LinkedIn profile up to snuff?

59. Joanna PoeApril 22,2022 at 9:11PM UTC

    Job descriptions are not 100% requirements, they are wish lists, and studies have shown that women are less likely to apply if they don't meet all the bullet points, while men totally will if they only meet half of them.

    Your experiences translate, perhaps not everywhere, but they are still valuable; you have to figure out how to contextualize your experience and apply it elsewhere.

    And don't ever pitch yourself as entry-level: when you get an offer, ask for benefits and PTO that they'd normally only reserve for people who'd been with the company for 3-5 years. You may be new to them, but you are not an entry-level human being.

60. DanaApril 22,2022 at 9:56PM UTC

    Joanna is absolutely right. The job description is for the perfect candidate of which there are none. Think of the creative ways that your experience and abilities can be a transfer of knowledge to the new potential position in a way that can address their needs with what you have to offer.

    On a different note, if a company is not willing to invest in their employees and groom them for advancement instead of going outside the organization, especially after 12 years then you deserve a better company.

61. Ashley BasilioApril 22,2022 at 11:44PM UTC

    it was 14 years before I got my first promotion. I remember feeling the same hurts. I’m sorry for you. I actually used the same words you did (well similar) I said the job eventually became soul crushing. And for me that meant it was time to move on.

62. Audrey KirschApril 22,2022 at 11:50PM UTC

    Think of all the experience you have and. create a skill set to list on your resume. Companies are more interested in that than a list of previous jobs. You'd be surprise at the skills you take for granted and have accumulated over 14 years. For instance, if you've done reception, sorted the mail or handled anyone's calendar, that's Communication Management. Interacting with clients in any way is Customer Service Specialist. It's all how you look at it. You may have other skills that they didn't even know they were looking for until they saw them in your resume. You just need to show that you're willing to learn and grow.

63. AC80ydApril 23,2022 at 5:55PM UTC

    You are so clever I love mentors like you.

64. AnonymousApril 23,2022 at 1:43AM UTC

    Job postings are just wishlists. Every good manager knows (or will learn) that there are skills someone needs to have on day 1, skills that someone may not have but needs the ability to pick them up quickly, and skills that they will need to learn to be successful in the role 1-2 years in. You put them all in the job description because the person will indeed need to have these skills for long-term success. But for some things, you just need to have the interest, ability, and chemistry with the manager/team to learn as you go.

    If you're meeting 60-75% of the requirements and the things you're not meeting seem like things you could learn and you have an interest in learning, apply. If you get a callback, ask questions about those things, in particular, to show you're interested and insightful and "get it".

    Good luck!

65. AnonymousApril 23,2022 at 3:45AM UTC

    Your decade-long domain expertise counts. So, emphasize that when you are looking at new opportunities where you seem to match only 70% of the requested skill sets.

66. Crystal HowellApril 23,2022 at 8:10AM UTC

    You should think about your overall happiness for you and your family. Ask your boss, what skillset are you lacking, linkedin learning has great courses. Second, 14 years experience, is an accomplishment at one company. Seek advice from career coach, set a goal for 1 year or less to exit, sharpen interview skills, take courses, just knowing you are doing the work to leave, should improve mindset. Change your mind, change your life. You are worthy.

    Promote yourself, I recommend MadelynMackie.com

    Good Luck

67. Kelly KlockziemApril 23,2022 at 5:56PM UTC

    I know this may not necessarily help you. I am in the same position.

    Wishing you the best in your journey. Sending your hiring vibes for the role made for you.

68. AnonymousApril 23,2022 at 7:14PM UTC

    I understand how you feel. It can be frustrating when you've been with a company that long and can't advance. I was with my company for 18 years and had applied for 40+ positions. My annual reviews were positive but yet I couldn't move.

    Eventually I decided to leave because it was evident a promotion wouldn't happen there. It was the best decision I ever made. While the next job wasn't a fit (4 years), I toughed it out and landed an Executive Assistant role that I really like.

    From the first job to now, my salary jumped 20K. Don't assume that you have to settle or take a salary cut. Just because they didn't feel you were a fit, doesn't make it so. If you want to stay, ask where you need to improve and do the work. Find a mentor or two in-house. If your skills match at least 50-75% of the job posting, apply. Think of it this way - if you came into the position knowing everything, there's no point in applying if your objective is to grow. All they can say is no, but there's one out there with your name on it. Keep going!