Do you have to meet the exact number of years of experience? (applying, application)

[scoutlikescookies]

I recently applied for a job that would really be my dream job. One of the requirements is "5+ years of experience or any combination of experience which demonstrates the ability to do the job".

Although I am confident I can do everything listed in the job description (and have done even more than the job description and had more responsibilities in my last role), I am worried that I won't be considered because I only have about 1-2 years of experience in a similar role, and not 5+. Do you think I won't be considered because of this? It's been 2 weeks since I applied, and I have yet to hear anything back...

I am also thinking about sending an InMail to the job poster on LinkedIn to follow up on my application. Do you think this would be a good idea, or would it work against me?

[yellowsnow]

No! They ask for what they want or sometimes more than they want. They will accept less from a candidate they like.

[fishbrains]

You don’t need the exact amount, but there is a big difference between the requested 5+ and your 1-2. They seem to be willing to consider other relevant experience, but you don’t mention having any.

As a hiring manager, I probably would not consider you, but that would depend on what the applicant pool looked like

[High Altitude]

Depends on the company and management, but today most companies aren't willing to settle and would rather not hire and leave sales on the table vs bringing in someone who has great potential.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by fishbrains

You don’t need the exact amount, but there is a big difference between the requested 5+ and your 1-2. They seem to be willing to consider other relevant experience, but you don’t mention having any.

As a hiring manager, I probably would not consider you, but that would depend on what the applicant pool looked like

Same here, that’s just too far below the required years. If it were 4, or even 3.5 I might give you an interview, if there were not to many applicants that had the 5. My current opening requires only 2 years, but more than half of the 21 applicants so far have none. Among the others it varies from barely 2 years to as much as 15. Still, with less than 10 to interview, I might consider one person with just over one year, who looked really good on the resume, unless I get a lot more qualified people applying before it closes on Friday.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by fishbrains

You don’t need the exact amount, but there is a big difference between the requested 5+ and your 1-2. They seem to be willing to consider other relevant experience, but you don’t mention having any.

As a hiring manager, I probably would not consider you, but that would depend on what the applicant pool looked like

Agree. That's pushing it too far unless you have some exceptionally outstanding applicable experience no one else can match. They list the experience expected for a reason. You would have had to explain why, during your short time in that field, you stand out above other candidates.

[mrpeatie]

Stupid question- do you only have 1-2 years in a similar role or 1-2 years total?


If you have 1-2 in the similar position but another 3 or 4 in positions with some overlap that might be acceptable. Sometimes you will see someone have a job that combines what are typically separate positions or vice versa where their current job handles a portion of the one being posted. If you can make that argument, play up those portions of previous jobs on your resume.