Applying to Jobs You're Slightly Underqualified For
Job postings are wish lists, not strict requirements. Here is how to know when to apply anyway.
Research on hiring behaviour consistently shows candidates get hired despite not meeting every listed qualification — postings often describe an ideal candidate, not a minimum bar.
When it's worth applying
If you meet most of the core requirements and are missing only a few of the "nice to have" items, apply. The same goes for missing a specific tool or certification you could reasonably learn on the job.
When to reconsider
If the gap is in a hard requirement tied to legal or safety qualifications (a licence, a clearance, a specific degree required by regulation), applying usually wastes both your time and the employer's.
How to position yourself
In your cover letter, address the gap directly and briefly, then pivot to what you do bring. Confidence paired with honesty reads far better than pretending the gap doesn't exist.