I used to only apply for jobs where I met nearly every requirement, especially on the technical side. Over time, I realized that might be limiting my opportunities more than helping me. Now I’m trying to be more flexible and take chances. How closely do you think candidates need to match job descriptions to be competitive?

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I've heard recruiters say that if someone is in the ballpark when it comes to qualifications they should apply for a job. The point is that a lot of job postings contain something of a wish list of qualifications, and no one expects a candidate to comprise every single attribute. It's unwise to "spam apply" to jobs that are inappropriate, but your strategy of broadening your approach seems sound.

I've talked to recruiter friends who say to go for any job you hit 60%+ of requirements. You're at a disadvantage if other candidates hit more, but they've all said I'd be doing myself a disservice holding out for roles I match 100% of requirements.

These days I’ve gotten in the habit of seeking out a recruiter to help with coming up as an optimal fit

I’ve sat on a call to work through the wording to apply for a position

It’s super helpful and can get you in to places that are more tangential to your current role

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