How to Apply When You’re Not a Perfect Match

You’re reading a job post that lights you up. Maybe it’s a great company. Maybe it’s finally the kind of role you’ve been working toward.

But then you hit that line:

“Must have 3+ years of payments product manager experience.”

And just like that, your heart sinks.

You were never a payments product manager.

You close the tab. You move on.

Don’t.

Too many candidates self-reject too early.

You don’t need to check every box.

You just need to make the case.

Job Descriptions Are Requests for Proposals

In business, a Request for Proposal—or RFP—is a document where a company outlines a challenge and asks potential vendors to pitch how they’d solve it. A job description works the same way. It’s not a demand for a perfect match. It’s an invitation:

“Here’s what we think we need to build a payments product clients will buy — can you show us how you’d solve this?”

Just like in the business world, the winning proposal isn’t always the one that checks every single box. It’s the one that understands the problem, offers a strong solution, and communicates it clearly.

The truth is, many job descriptions are written by committee. They’re often filled with recycled language, broad qualifications, or idealized profiles. They reflect a guess at what kind of candidate can solve a problem.

That’s why personalization matters. Smaller companies and startups often care more about your ability to solve the real problem than whether your resume matches the wording. Larger companies may follow the job description more closely, but even there, the right story can open doors.

Job descriptions are not ultimatums. They’re RFPs. Treat them that way.

What That Requirement Really Means (And How to Translate It)

When a job post asks for “3+ years of payments product experience,” it's code for: “We need someone who understands how money moves, can handle compliance, and won’t cause costly mistakes.” They’re looking for familiarity with flows like authorization and settlement, risk factors like fraud and PCI, and complex ecosystems involving banks, gateways, and vendors.

But if your title was something like “Product Manager, Reporting” at a SaaS company—and you built invoicing tools, handled sensitive financial data, or worked with finance teams on reconciliation—you may already have what they’re after. The key is showing that you understand the challenges—even if your title or domain looked different. That’s what actually counts.

When to Hit Apply—And When to Walk Away

Apply if:

• You meet around 60–70% of the listed requirements

• You’ve solved similar problems, even in a different industry or role

• You can clearly explain your fit—in your resume, in your message, or in your interview

Skip it if:

• The role sits outside your target job cluster (e.g., you want DevOps but it’s an iOS engineer role)

• You can’t convince yourself—let alone a hiring manager—that you’re a credible candidate

• There’s a clear seniority mismatch (e.g., you’re early career and the role expects a seasoned leader)

Personalization Isn’t Just About Your Past

In today’s job market, employers often lean toward candidates who’ve done the exact same job at a similar kind of company. But that’s a preference—not a rule. Many will still take a chance on someone different—if you give them a reason.

Your goal is to make that case crystal clear. That means:

• Showing how your skills transfer

• Demonstrating that you understand and care about the company’s challenges

• Writing your resume like someone who already belongs on the team

• Proving you’ve done the actual work, even if your title didn’t match

Three Tactical Tips to Stand Out

• ✍️ Customize your resume using the company’s language and priorities

• 📬 Include a short, targeted message explaining why you’re a strong fit

• 🔍 Reverse-engineer the job post to uncover the problem—and position yourself as the solution

The Big Question

Before applying, ask yourself:

Can I convince myself—and then them—that I would be a strong hire for this job?

If the answer is yes, don’t wait for permission.

Apply. Make the case. Let them tell you no.

And if you need help making that case, check out our resume rewrite service.