Don't have the perfect profile? Dare to apply!

Ticking every box on a job posting isn't always mandatory. Find out which criteria can be bypassed and how to apply effectively.

Is this job posting your dream job? Does it match your expectations exactly? Yes, but… you don't meet all the criteria in the ad? Never mind, you've decided to apply without having all the qualifications. And you're right to dare. If you are truly interested in the position and ready to commit, there should be no obstacle to your application. Furthermore, the ideal candidate doesn't always exist and certain hiring criteria can be bypassed. Especially in shortage occupations, more and more employers recruit based on skills and motivation first, before degrees. Here are a few tips for a relevant application.

The ideal profile: an unattainable dream?

People who get hired rarely meet all the criteria listed in a job posting. Indeed, an ad paints a picture of an ideal candidate—one who would perfectly satisfy the recruiter. Have you noticed how detailed job ads often are: skills, qualifications, experience, degrees… A true five-legged sheep! Yet, all these criteria won't hold the same weight for the employer. Some take priority over others. You need to distinguish "required" hiring criteria from "desired" ones.

Identifying the key skills for the role

To assess your chances, analyze the job posting and identify the must-have skills. For any offer, it's often easy to identify the non-negotiable criteria for the recruiter. This is usually a qualification listed as essential to be operational in the job. A specific license for a driver, a CACES certification for a forklift driver, a programming language for a web developer, etc. Without these, there is no point in applying.

Smartly bypassing criteria

Secondary skills

Does the ad list other skills as "appreciated", "desired", or "ideally required"? Go for it, even if you don't tick 100% of these boxes. These phrases indicate that these qualifications are often secondary.

It's not about ignoring them completely, but this is where you can make a difference. In your application and during the job interview, highlight equivalent experience you possess and the soft skills that will allow you to compensate for and/or quickly acquire the missing know-how. Finally, don't forget to look into training opportunities to demonstrate your interest in the role and your motivation.

Years of experience

10 years of experience required? Dare to apply if you have at least 6 or 7 years of work experience and meet the other criteria. Also, remember that work-study contracts count as experience.

Have you recently made a career change? Your unique background or your past years of experience in a related sector can also weigh in your favor.

Do you have many extra-professional experiences (volunteering, internships, community work)? Another plus for you if you can connect these skills or soft skills to the target job.

The degree

Harder to bypass, but not impossible. Especially if your degree is similar to the one required. Emphasize equivalencies: years, specializations, skills. In shortage occupations and roles involving technical skills, highlight your years of experience and request a recruitment test to prove your skill level, even if you didn't complete the exact training.

Offset your gaps by working on your application

To reassure the recruiter, don't forget to work on your CV, cover letter, and job interview.

Building your CV when you don't have the ideal profile

Focus on the hard and soft skills that match the coveted position. There is no need to clutter the reading with skills unrelated to the job. Reading your CV, the recruiter must understand that your personality fits the job profile.

Writing a convincing cover letter

It isn't always requested anymore, but for an unconventional profile, the cover letter remains your best ally: it explains your approach. This is the time to show honesty and motivation. Explain your rationale and be transparent: you are aware that you don't check all the boxes, but you have other assets. Rely on concrete examples to address the selection criteria and outline your career plan. Ask your professional network for personalized recommendations to submit to the recruiter.

Preparing for the job interview

Did you land an interview despite your unconventional profile? That means the recruiter is ready to give you a chance. So don't deny your uniqueness or apologize for your background. Instead, turn it into a strength to stand out from other candidates. Justify your approach without hiding that you might lack certain skills. Recruiters appreciate honesty and motivation.

Note that when drafting an ad, recruiters outline an ideal profile while being aware that they won't find exactly what they're looking for. The ideal profile helps identify candidates, but doesn't prevent recruiting exceptional talent.

And besides, there may be other candidates competing with you who aren't 100% matches either, but are ready to seize every opportunity. So why them and not you?

Our advice: compare the criteria with your profile, anticipate upcoming training, and explain yourself to catch the recruiter's eye and make them want to select you. Contact your Actual advisor to review your profile and career plan.

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