Do you know the worst myth in the recruitment world? It’s the belief that you have to meet all the criteria of a job offer to apply. This is not true and we will prove it to you in this article.
Differentiate between non-negotiables and negotiables.
In the recruitment field, when a recruiter writes a job offer with a long list of required skills, rest assured! You don’t have to have all of these requirements to apply. In fact, there is a 70% rule.
If you meet at least 70% of the requirements, you can apply with peace of mind. Recruiters are aware that the ideal candidate does not exist. When they write the job description, they put everything they would like to see in the perfect profile. But they know you won’t have all the skills they need.
If you’re missing a few, that’s okay. The company can always train you. Some skills are more secondary than others and here is the list:
Work experience
Skills
Language skills
Work permits
Physical abilities
Personal traits and characteristics
To help you recognize the so-called secondary skills, look for the expressions “desirable”, “appreciated”, “a plus”, “ideally”. They are often attached to them.
Remember that if you have at least 70% of these skills, you can apply.
Education & Degrees
You may have noticed that in the previous paragraph we did not include education and degrees in the secondary skills category. This is because they are almost always mandatory, unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, we do not recommend that you do not apply if you do not have the required degrees.
However, for some positions, work experience can compensate for the lack of a degree. Being self-taught can pay off in marketing, IT or sales, for example. Similarly, if you have been an entrepreneur and have considerable experience, this can work in your favor.
When applying for such a position, emphasize the strengths of your atypical profile. Creativity and adaptability are considerable assets.
So, before sending your application. Review the job posting, look for technical keywords scattered throughout the ad, then use them in your resume. This is an excellent way to prove to the recruiter that you are the profile they are looking for and that you have the necessary knowledge.
How do you apply for a position for which you don’t have all the requirements?
Your resume is your best friend. Use it to your advantage.
Tip: The first thing the recruiter looks at in your resume is your title. If you’re looking for a job as a maintenance manager, put that title on your resume. Whether it’s in your current position or in your profile, the important thing is to mention it.
Then, you must make sure that the recruiter, when reading your CV, thinks that you have the personality of the candidate they are looking for. How can you achieve this? Focus on your personal skills rather than your know-how. Your know-how is the technical skills you have acquired during your career or studies. Your soft skills are personal traits that shape the way you work, whether alone or with others.
Your soft skills may include, for example:
Your problem-solving skills;
Your self-confidence;
Your communication skills
Your time management
Your time management, etc.
34% of recruiters believe that personality is the number one selection criterion in a candidate. So use that to your advantage.
Tip number 2: Never lie.
Not on your CV, not during an interview. Assume that you don’t have all the skills they are looking for. However, show them that you are willing to learn. Recruiters may see you as trustworthy and decide you are the right person for them.
Always be honest.
There is no such thing as the perfect candidate. Take a chance, even if you don’t have all the skills you need, you may get the job you want.