Do This, Not That: Career

Find a job that fits your skills closely enough – don’t wait for perfection.

Searching for a new job or trying to get started in a new career is daunting. People generally want a role that fits their skills and fulfills their career aspirations. As you examine job postings, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can land your dream role without meeting the position’s basic requirements – of course, you won’t get a job as a lawyer if you lack a law degree – but also don’t set the bar too high.

For instance, perhaps you see an interesting job notice, but your skills don’t align perfectly with all the items the employer lists. Don’t give up just yet. If you meet at least 70% of the skills required, then you are most likely a good fit for the job. To demonstrate your potential to the employer, rewrite your resume and cover letter to emphasize why you are a good candidate for this particular role. For instance, maybe you’ve never been a formal project manager, but you can point to projects you’ve managed. Change keywords in your resume to match the online posting, such as rephrasing “client...