5 years ago, I ran across a xeroxed handout about salary negotiation. It said that if a salary range for a given job was $30,000-$35,000, women would tend to ask for $32,000.

Men, on the other hand, would ask for $37,000.

Ten Things Companies – and Women – Can Do To Get Ahead provides 2 top-10 lists. The #3 item on the second top-10 list, “10 Ways Michigan Women Can Rev Up Their Careers,” is Dare to Apply. It turns out, when it comes to applying for jobs, women will apply for a job only if they meet nearly all of the listed requirements of the job posting.

Men? They’ll apply if they meet just over half the requirements.

As someone who has reviewed stacks of resumes for position openings, let me say that I am not encouraging unqualified job hunters to send yet more resumes destined for the shredder. When creating a job posting (particularly online, where you’re not paying by the word), you list everything you would like to see in an ideal candidate. But the ideal candidate rarely, if ever exists. Meeting 80% of the qualifications isn’t bad, and in some cases, 60% might be worth a shot.

You don’t have time to apply to every job for which you meet 60% of the posted job requirements. But don’t let a couple details stop you from putting your resume and cover letter in front of a hiring manager. You might just be the best candidate they have.

Too Much Experience?

Year ago, I interviewed a woman who had virtually all of the qualifications posted for the job opening. In fact, she already held a similar position elsewhere. This raised all sorts of questions:

• Will she be disappointed at the lack of opportunity for career development?
• Does she have the desire to expand her roles and skills?
• Does she have a personality conflict with her present employers?

Her answers as to why she was applying for virtually the same role were ambiguous at best: she said she wanted to “keep her options open.” Does that sound like someone you want on your team?

Overqualified candidates often demand higher salaries and have higher turnover. Or, they may not be the dynamic team member you are looking for. If you are applying for a job where the requirements are in easy reach, make sure you know why you want the job and how hiring you will benefit both you and the company.