Should You Apply If You Don’t Meet All the Requirements?

You’ve found a job ad that looks perfect. The company’s exciting, the role matches what you want, and the salary’s decent. But then you hit the requirements list — and you don’t tick every box.

Sound familiar?

This is one of the most common dilemmas jobseekers face: should you apply for a role if you don’t meet all the criteria? Or are you wasting your time?

After almost 20 years in recruitment, here’s the truth: job descriptions are wish lists, not shopping lists. Very few successful candidates tick every single requirement. The trick is knowing when you should go for it — and how to position yourself so the “missing boxes” don’t matter.

Let’s break it down.

Why Job Descriptions Are Misleading

Most job ads are written by committees. A manager wants certain skills, HR adds their compliance language, and sometimes even the outgoing employee chips in. The result? A Frankenstein’s monster of requirements that no real human ticks 100%.

I’ve seen job ads asking for “10+ years’ experience” for roles that don’t need it. Or five different software tools when the company only really uses one. Or laundry lists of skills where half will never be used day to day.

The point is: don’t take the requirements list as gospel. Companies know they’ll rarely find the “perfect” candidate. They’re looking for the best overall fit.

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When You Should Apply

There are plenty of times it’s absolutely worth applying, even if you don’t meet everything.

1. You meet the core requirements.
If you can clearly do 70–80% of the job as described, apply. The rest you can learn.

2. The missing skills are trainable.
If the gap is a software, a system, or a process you can pick up quickly, don’t let that stop you. Employers value adaptability.

3. You have transferable skills.
Maybe you haven’t managed that system, but you’ve managed something similar. Maybe you haven’t led that kind of project, but you’ve delivered complex projects in another field. Transferable skills are gold when you frame them properly.

4. The company values potential.
Some organisations care more about mindset and growth potential than ticking every technical box. If that’s the culture, go for it.

When It’s Probably a Waste of Time

On the flip side, there are situations where applying is unlikely to get you anywhere:

1. You’re missing essential, non-negotiable skills.
If the role requires a professional qualification (e.g. solicitor, accountant) and you don’t have it, no amount of transferable skills will bridge that.

2. The gaps are huge.
If it’s a senior leadership role and you’ve never managed anyone, it’s a stretch too far. Companies aren’t going to hire someone missing the foundations.

3. The ad makes the essentials crystal clear.
Sometimes it’s obvious — “must be fluent in German” or “must have a driving licence.” If you don’t, it’s not happening.

How to Position Yourself When You Don’t Tick Every Box

If you decide it’s worth applying, the way you frame your CV and interview answers is crucial. You can’t ignore the gaps — you have to manage them.

1. Focus on Achievements, Not Tasks

Most people waste space listing responsibilities. Flip it: highlight achievements that prove you can deliver results. That instantly makes the missing skills less important.

Instead of:
“Responsible for CRM management.”

Say:
“Implemented new CRM processes that improved lead conversion by 30%.”

2. Translate Transferable Skills

Don’t assume recruiters will make the connection — spell it out.

Instead of:
“Managed store operations.”

Say:
“Led cross-site operations, including budget management, staff training, and process improvement — directly transferable to multi-project management.”

3. Address Gaps Proactively

If a requirement comes up in an interview that you don’t have, don’t dodge it. Acknowledge it and reframe.

Example:
“I haven’t used [system X] yet, but in my last role I picked up [similar system] within a month and trained the wider team. I’m confident I’d get up to speed quickly here.”

4. Show Adaptability

Employers value people who can learn fast. Share examples where you’ve been thrown into something unfamiliar and succeeded.

Scripts for Talking About Missing Requirements

Here are some practical ways to frame gaps without underselling yourself:

If asked about a skill you don’t have:

“I haven’t worked directly with [X], but I’ve used [similar tool/system]. In that role I had to adapt quickly, and I’d take the same approach here.”

If challenged on lack of experience at that exact level:

“While I haven’t held the exact title before, I’ve already been delivering many of the responsibilities listed — such as [example] and [example]. This role feels like the natural next step.”

If you’re worried about being seen as a stretch:

“I see this as an opportunity to bring my strengths in [area] while quickly upskilling in [missing area]. I’ve always been someone who learns fast and thrives when challenged.”

Why Confidence Matters More Than Perfection

Remember: nobody wants to hire a robot who ticks every box but lacks energy or growth potential. Employers want people who are confident, adaptable, and capable of learning on the job.

If you position yourself as someone who delivers results, learns quickly, and has transferable skills, you’ll often beat the so-called “perfect” candidates who just tick boxes but don’t stand out.

The key is positioning

So, should you apply if you don’t meet all the requirements? The answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no.

If you can do 70–80% of the role, if the gaps are trainable, and if your transferable skills are strong, absolutely go for it. But if you’re missing the core essentials, don’t waste your time.

The key is positioning. Recruiters won’t automatically connect the dots for you. You need to make the case that your achievements and adaptability outweigh the missing boxes.

Because getting interviews isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing you’re the best overall bet.

Want help with your job search?

Start with these tools that thousands of jobseekers use every week:

• Download my free CV Template – the proven structure I use as a recruiter.
• Get instant feedback with the AI CV Reviewer – trained on 20 years of experience.
• Use the AI Interview Coach to get tailored questions and strong example answers.
• Explore the full Job Search System if you want a step-by-step plan to land more interviews.

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