Should you apply if you don't meet all the requirements?

Job descriptions are wishlists

But here’s the real talk:
Job descriptions are not legal documents.
They’re wishlists.

They’re written like wedding biodatas — where the family says:

“Looking for a 6 ft, handsome man who earns 7 figures and loves his in-laws.”

But who do they end up accepting?
Ravi from Mississauga.

He’s kind, works in IT, 5'7", has a stable income, and treats their daughter well.

See what I mean?

What hiring managers really want

They don’t care if you match every bullet point.

What they’re really looking for is someone who can:

✅ Solve an actual business problem
✅ Learn fast and take initiative
✅ Fit into the team without ego

The JD won’t say this.
But if you read between the lines — you’ll feel it.

How one mentee got the job anyway

Let’s take an example:
One of my mentees applied for a Business Analyst role.

The JD asked for:
● 3+ years of experience
● Advanced SQL, Tableau
● MBA preferred

He had:
● 1 year of experience
● Intermediate SQL
● No MBA

But what he did have?
✨ A recommendation that added revenue to the company’s product line
✨ A clear, confident story about how he did it
✨ And a cold email that showed he understood their business challenge

He got the interview. And then the job.

Your permission slip

So here’s your permission slip:
✅ Apply even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements.
✅ Stop waiting to “feel ready.”
✅ Start focusing on how you can solve their problem.

And next time you read a job description that looks like it was written for a unicorn…

Just remember: even in arranged marriages — they don’t always marry the hero. They marry the one who shows up with heart.

So go show up.

When to stop applying and upskill first

If you want to make an avocado sandwich but don’t have avocados at home — what would you do?

A) Wish that you could still make it without avocados.
B) Go to the grocery store and buy them.
C) Wait until you have them before making the sandwich.

You’d probably choose B or C, right?
Not A — because that would be delusional.

Now here’s the thing —The same logic applies when you’re trying to land a field job.

If you don’t have the skills the role demands, how can you expect to get hired just by applying?

So if you’re not getting interviews — stop applying for a bit and do this instead.

• Read 7–10 job descriptions for your target role.
• Note the skills that keep repeating.
• Assess where you stand in those skills.

And if you’re lacking — start upskilling.

Example: If you are applying for a Business Analyst role but don’t know how to build dashboards, then there’s no point of applying until you learn how to make dashboards.

Because no matter how many jobs you apply to —
you can’t outrun the lack of skillset.

Shine a little brighter,
Bani