Few applicants meet everything an employer writes in a job advert. Some requirements are essential: the work can't be done without them. Others are wishes the employer hopes to find. Telling them apart decides whether applying is worth your time.

Tell a must-have from a nice-to-have

  • A must-have is usually a licence or certificate the law or the work requires, such as a driving licence for a driver or a practising licence for a pharmacist, a language the team works in every day, or being able to work in the city or hours required.
  • A nice-to-have is a set number of years of experience, a particular program, or experience in a particular sector. You can often make up for it with similar experience or by learning quickly.
  • If the advert says “preferred” or “a plus”, it's a nice-to-have, not a must.

When to apply

  • When you meet the must-haves and most of the nice-to-haves.
  • When you're missing one or two nice-to-haves and have something close to them.
  • When you have a little less experience than asked for, but your achievements are close to the job's tasks.

When not to apply

  • When you're missing a licence or certificate the work can't be done without.
  • When the job is in a city or at hours you can't commit to.
  • When you'd have to bend the truth to look suitable.

Answer screening questions honestly

Some employers ask yes/no questions when you apply, and may make one of them a requirement. Answer as things really are: a wrong answer comes out at the interview or when documents are checked, and costs you the employer's trust. On jobs.ly, if you answer no to a “Requirement” you can still apply, but the employer looks first at applicants who meet it.

Explain a gap in one sentence

If you're missing a nice-to-have, mention it briefly in your message with what makes up for it, for example: “I haven't used this program, but I've used a similar one for two years and I pick up new tools quickly.” One honest sentence is better than a long paragraph. Then focus your CV on what you do meet, and be ready to be asked about it at the interview.