You’ve read hundreds of job postings online and you’ve found something that looks like a great fit. You’re excited about the company and the role…and then you get to the requirements or qualifications section and realize you are missing some of them. Don’t be disappointed and don’t click out of the job description just yet. You can still land the job!
Boost your confidence:
Think of the requirements or qualifications section as the hiring manager’s idea of the “perfect” candidate. Read the list again and ask yourself if each bullet seems like a “must-have” or a “nice-to-have.” If you meet a majority of the “must-haves” and you are missing some of the “nice-to-haves,” apply.
You don’t need to be the “perfect” candidate, and frankly, it is unlikely that anyone is going to meet all of the “nice-to-haves.” Be confident about your skills, past experiences, and ability to work hard and learn on the job. Don’t settle for jobs that don’t excite you, aren’t in your intended field, or are too easy. The only way you can be 100% certain you won’t get the job is if you don’t apply to it.
Show relevant experiences and skills:
Think about your past jobs, internships, and side projects, and how you gained the necessary skills and experiences, and make sure you clearly explain that in your resume and cover letter.
Customize your application:
Edit your resume and cover letter for each job. When you apply to jobs online, your application often goes through software called an applicant tracking system that sifts through the applications by searching for keywords related to the job description. Include some of the key skills and responsibilities from the job description in your cover letter.
Use your network:
The best way to make sure your application gets seen by a hiring manager is to have someone at the company send it to them directly. If you know someone who works at the company, let them know you applied online, attach your cover letter and resume, and any extra information you had to fill out like a short assignment, and ask if they will pass it along to the hiring manager if they are comfortable. If it is someone you worked with in the past, ask if they would put in a good word for you. Otherwise, just ask if they will send your resume and cover letter to HR or the hiring manager.
Not sure if you know someone at the company or know someone who does? Go to the company page on LinkedIn and search through current employees. You can click to see who went to your college or university and send a cold email. Many companies offer bonuses to employees who refer a candidate who gets selected, so it can end up being a win for them as well!
Be proactive about improving your skills:
If you keep seeing certain qualifications and experiences on job postings, figure out how you can learn them. Take classes. Start a relevant side-project. Pick up freelance work. Read books and industry publications. Gain the skills in your current role by taking on additional responsibilities.
