Why you should be applying for jobs that feel out of reach
Have you ever read through the requirements of a job advert that sounded amazing… and then moved straight on to the next role because you didn’t have all or most of the core requirements that were listed?
I’ve done it A LOT! And usually ended up frustrated, firstly because no other role quite matched the original one, and secondly because my gut was telling me that I COULD do that job.
I’ve also experienced – a few times now – others with far less experience/success/seniority etc than me, going on to apply and either being shortlisted or actually getting the role either initially, or the next time it became available!
The thing is that job hunting isn’t a defined, one-size-fits-all process. There’ll be times when the recruitment process is just a formality because the hiring manager has already decided who’s getting the role, and there’ll be other times – many times – when a good job is unfilled for months on end because not enough candidates are applying for it.
Sometimes, those seemingly perfect candidates may not be as flawless as they appear on paper. And sometimes it’s not about being the most qualified; it’s about being the right fit for the role.
What you must remember is that you offer a unique blend of skills, experiences, and personality that is entirely unique – literally 1 in 8 billion. This means that you will always have something valuable to bring to a role and a company.Yes, job descriptions can be intimidating, but they’re more like wish lists than non-negotiable contracts.
So if you meet half of the requirements and if you have the enthusiasm, commitment, and capability to learn, grow, and stretch to the other half, then you should 100% apply for that job.