In job searches, people frequently look at the listed requirements, see a gap, and move on, fearing rejection and not wanting to waste the employer’s time and their own. They’re making a big mistake, and potentially holding their careers back.
I’ve applied to and gotten jobs where I only met 10-20% of the “requirements.” And was very successful in those jobs, and did not lie on my resume. I do think women would have a harder time of this than men, but I think it pays off for anyone if they believe they could do the job to apply.
The best strategy for a job is: if you think you could do it, apply. The listed requirements are often completely fictional or impossible.
I’m curious: when you applied to those jobs, did you know someone in the company ( like your direct boss) or did you apply online without knowing anyone at all?
That article quotes Facebook on “fit”, a very squishy term for “we might over look the ‘rules’ if we have a lot of people who look like you working there already.”
In the most significant example I am thinking of, I didn’t know anyone. It was a complete fluke that I got the job, mainly because I was having an “on” day and really nailed the interview.
I was lucky I think that the company interviewed widely. I applied completely blind. Perhaps they just had poor filtering, but it worked for me.
In another case it did help that I knew the boss a little, but that’s how most people get most jobs I think. 🙂
It’s happened to me twice so far that I got jobs that I met very few of the stated requirements.
Here’s to hoping it happens again!