Don’t Meet 100% of the Criteria? Apply Anyway.

ONA Recruitment
Jun 17
3 min read

You’ve spotted a job that genuinely excites you — but then you start reading through the requirements.

Suddenly, that excitement fades. You realise you don’t tick every box, and start second-guessing whether you should bother applying at all.

Sound familiar? You’re not the only one. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to meet every single requirement to put your hand up for a role. In fact, it might be the smartest move you make.

At ONA, we speak to people every day who are ready for more, but talk themselves out of applying because they’re not a “perfect match.” Here’s why that thinking could be holding you back and why applying anyway is often the right call.

1. No one ticks every box

Job ads are usually written with the ideal candidate in mind; a sort of “wish list.” But in reality, very few people meet every single requirement. Hiring managers know this. More often than not, they’re open to meeting great candidates who bring most of what they need and the potential to grow into the rest.

You don’t need to be the “dream candidate” to be the right one.

2. Roles shift — especially for the right person

What you see in the job ad isn’t always the full picture. Priorities change, roles get reshaped, and sometimes the brief adjusts when the right person comes along. You don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes - or what skills or qualities they haven’t even advertised yet. You might bring something they didn’t know they needed until they saw it.

3. Plenty of learning happens on the job

Hiring managers don’t expect every new hire to walk in knowing everything. There’s usually some learning involved — new systems, new tools, new ways of working. If you’ve got the mindset to learn, that often matters more than whether you’ve done every part of the job before.

Being upfront about what you’re keen to develop, or showing that you’ve already started learning, goes a long way.

4. You bring more than what’s on your résumé

It’s easy to fixate on what you’re missing, but don’t forget what you do bring — your transferable skills, your attitude, your ability to work with people, solve problems, lead projects, or think creatively.

Plus, your background might offer a fresh perspective that the team’s been missing. That matters more than ever right now.

5. You’ve got nothing to lose — and a lot to gain

What’s the worst that could happen? You don’t get the role — but maybe you make a new connection, get some feedback, or stay top of mind for something else. And the best-case scenario? You land the role, or at the very least, open a door that leads to something even better. Sometimes the simple act of applying is what starts the ball rolling.