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Should you apply if you don't meet every requirement?
Last updated 9 October 2026
Short answer. Yes, if you meet most of the must-have requirements and can show how you would close the rest. Postings often describe an ideal; missing a nice-to-have is normal, but missing the core of the role usually is not worth the application.
A quick test
- List the must-haves.
- Mark each one you can prove with a résumé line.
- If you prove most of them, including the first two or three, apply.
Close the gap in the letter
Name the missing piece and your plan: "I haven't used Tableau in production, but I build the same dashboards in Looker and I'm completing a Tableau course."
When not to apply
- A legal or licence requirement you don't have.
- The role's core skill is missing.
- Seniority far above your experience.
Questions
Is it a waste of the recruiter's time?
Not when you meet most must-haves; postings are often written as wish lists.
Should I mention the gap?
Briefly, with a plan. Hiding it only moves the question to the interview.
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See plans, from $9 a monthKeep reading
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- How to answer the notice period question
- How to answer work authorisation and visa questions
By Vamsi Venkatesh · 2026-10-09