No question that jobs are posted with unrealistic, if not impossible, requirements, but job seekers aren’t going to be the ones that help the employer see the errors in their specifications. They have no credibility because they have a clear conflict of interest. Someone else will need to point out the problem.

However, for job seekers who don’t meet all of the other requirements, however unrealistic, their applications will be ignored unless:
* They’ve networked their way to the hiring manager so the application is just a formality.
* The cover letter convincingly connects the dots for HR and the hiring manager enabling the applicant to make it through that particular screen.

We could discuss the value and relevance of experience all day, but the bottom line is that employees with more experience should out-perform employees with less experience. They should be more highly paid, but worth it. As usual, of course, your mileage may vary.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

The only point that I take issue with is where the posting asks for 5 years experience and the applicant only has two.

1. I am in IT and over and over I see requests for 5 years experience on a technology version that has only been out for 2 or 3 years.

2. I have seen many people that have 1 year of experience 5 times versus 5 years of increasing experience. They simply cannot learn and grow and they will be in the same place 10 years from now.

I work with many job seekers and I would never recommend that they rule themselves out if they have at least two years experience when the request is for 5 years. If they meet the remaining criteria they should apply.

Case in point; I met with a hiring manager last year and we talked about the fact that they weren’t receiving any of what they considered to be “qualified” applicants. The applications they received didn’t fail because of years; they failed because they were missing the relevant skills.

As you said there are many unqualified applicants that apply; the problem is usually not with the number of years experience. The problem is with no experience.

I asked if they were over estimating the requirement and the response was that they hadn’t considered that. Their purpose was to reduce the number of applicants and they were very effective; they didn’t get any applicants. Applicants with the required skills did pay attention and therefore didn’t submit an application. Great idea, wrong result!

What is it that makes 2, 3, 5, 10, or however many years relevant? What is the special ability that ties directly to the number of years?

People posting jobs must use common sense when establishing the requirements. Too often they are filling a position that was recently vacated and they look at the most recent occupant of the position and use that person as a template for the necessary skills. Just because the previous individual had an advanced degree or some other qualification does not necessarily mean that qualification is a requirement to do the job. Align the requirements with the work to be performed not with the individual that vacated the position.

Job seekers must use common sense, obviously you must be honest in your response, but present your case in a positive and affirmative manner. If you don’t have 5 years, don’t pretend that you do; but don’t rule yourself out based solely on that one reason. If the company is going to be that specific, let them rule you out.