Ask Johnny: Should I Apply If I Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, answers your workplace questions each week. Do you have a work-related question you’d like him to answer? Submit it here.

I’m looking for a new job and am struggling with what positions to apply for. Should I apply for a job even if I don’t meet every single requirement? And how do I know which ones are most important? — Jailon

Great questions, and I’ll start with this: Don’t make the hiring manager’s decision for them. Too many strong candidates eliminate themselves based on assumptions an employer may never make. 

When you’re looking for a new job, it’s easy to read a job description and focus on what you don’t have rather than how you might fit. Maybe you lack a particular skill, have fewer years of experience than the posting requests, or your background doesn’t line up perfectly with every qualification. That doesn’t always mean you shouldn’t apply.

Think of a job description as a picture of the employer’s ideal candidate, not a checklist where you have to reach 100% to be considered. The first question you should ask yourself is simple: Can I perform the core functions of this job? If the answer is yes, and you can make a credible case that you can succeed in the role, it may be worth putting yourself forward. 

Of course, there’s a difference between a required qualification and a preferred one. A required license, security clearance, or legally mandated credential can be a true barrier. But experience with a particular platform, a specific number of years of experience, or another preferred skill may be more flexible qualifications, depending on the employer and the position.

This is also where you need to recognize the value of your transferable skills. Your experience may not be an exact match, but you may have solved similar problems, led similar projects, or worked with similar stakeholders. Problem-solving, judgment, and a willingness to learn can transfer from one role to another, and they’re qualities employers often value in candidates. 

Make those connections clear in your application. Don’t simply repeat the job description. Tailor your resume to highlight the experiences, capabilities, and results that demonstrate why you can do the work.

Most importantly, don’t self-reject. If a job asks for seven years of experience and you have five years of highly relevant experience, that shouldn’t automatically keep you from applying. You may have other experience or skills that make you a strong candidate. Give the employer the opportunity to decide whether your qualifications meet the needs of the role. 

At the same time, you need to be realistic. There’s a difference between being slightly underqualified and being fundamentally unqualified. If you’re missing a qualification that’s truly essential to the job, recognize that. Applying for a role you can’t reasonably perform is unlikely to benefit you or the employer.

Ultimately, ask yourself two questions: Can I do the job, and can I demonstrate that to a potential employer? If you can answer yes to both, don’t let a few qualifications you’re missing make the decision for you. Put yourself in the running and let the employer determine whether you’re the right fit.