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Hey Reader 👋🏾

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POV you’re scrolling LinkedIn, and you come across a job that lights you up but then… you start reading the requirements.

And somewhere between “5+ years of experience in X industry” and “expert in tools you’ve barely touched,” your mouse hovers over the “X” button to get up out of there.

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Sound familiar? Here’s the truth I always tell my career coaching clients: Job descriptions are a wishlist, not a checklist.

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They’re often written with an ideal candidate in mind, someone who’s done the job before, in the same industry, with the exact tech stack and team structure. But that’s rarely who gets hired.

Hiring managers are often looking for someone who brings problem-solving skills, a strong learning mindset, and adjacent experience they can build on.

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The strongest candidates often don’t meet 100% of the criteria, they meet the requirements enough to show they’re ready to grow into the role.

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Here’s what to do when you don’t meet all the job requirements:

✅ Reframe “I haven’t done this” to “I’ve done something like this”

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​ Example: You haven’t used Figma, but you’ve led cross-functional projects using other tools, and you’ve picked up new tech quickly before. Mention that.

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✅ Tell your story through transferable skills

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​ Example: You worked in customer support but want to pivot to UX research. Highlight how you’ve run interviews, uncovered pain points, and advocated for user needs… those are all foundational UXR skills.

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✅ Focus on your impact, not your job title

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​ Example: Maybe you weren’t necessarily a “Product Manager,” but you led roadmap discussions, collaborated with engineers, and aligned stakeholders across different teams or regions. That shows you can do the work.

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✅ Show you're coachable and ready to learn

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​ Teams often hire for potential when they see curiosity, drive, and self-awareness. If you're upfront about what you're learning and how quickly you ramp up, it builds trust.

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Ask yourself these 3 questions before you count yourself out:

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1. Where have I done something similar before?
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2. What results or value did I drive, regardless of title or tool?
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3. How can I show I’m ready to grow into this opportunity?
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The people who land roles that stretch them aren’t the most “qualified, they’re the ones who know how to connect the dots and tell their story with clarity.

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You can do this too! And if you want help figuring out how to tell your story more powerfully, I’ve got you. Keep an eye out for more resources this month (or reply and ask your Qs—I read every response).

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Also, don't miss out on my Research Crit event today if you're craving real feedback and community!

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✨ TODAY Wednesday, July 23 | 5:30-7PM PST

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🎟️ Last chance to RSVP: bit.ly/researchcrit4​

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It’s almost go time for our next Research Crit, and this month we’re welcoming Jessica Drizin, Sr. UX Research Manager at Dexcom (and previously Chime, Upwork, and more)!

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We will focus on portfolio case studies this week, so don't miss it.

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If you’re a:

• UX researcher 👩🏾‍💻
• Job seeker 🔍
• Career pivoter 🔄

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This space was designed especially for you!
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If you’ve been craving feedback, connection, and honest support on your UX portfolio please join us.

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Bring your work-in-progress, ask your real questions, and get thoughtful feedback in a small, supportive group that gets it.

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RSVP to Research Crit event

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And I want to hear from you:

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Have you ever landed a job without meeting every listed requirement?

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Hit reply and share. I’m looking to spotlight a few of your stories in an upcoming post (with permission, of course!).

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Rooting for you always,

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Eniola Abioye

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​UXR Career Coach and Founder, UX Outloud

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