Requirements...who needs them?

Every job has a list of requirements necessary to do the tasks associated with that position well. Sometimes we call them prerequisites.

Someone, somewhere immediately stands up and declares, 'Nuh-uh! XXX job doesn't!"

Um, yes. Yes, it does.

I never said that every job has difficult requirements. Some jobs can be as complex as "10 years of experience with progressive stamping set-up, CAD programming, and a BS in mechanical engineering," whereas others can be along the lines of "a beating heart and breathes." Nevertheless, a requirement is a requirement.

When we post a job opening for a client, we note any requirements the client needs satisfied in order for a candidate to be considered for the position. Pretty obvious. If someone does not meet the requirements dictated by the client, the client will not consider that person a potential candidate. Simple, right?  

Yeah, apparently not.

There are plenty of times in a week where I come across resumes that are so far away from a match for the applied position that I routinely check whether the resume was mis-filed. For example:

• A PCA (personal care assistant) with zero manufacturing experience is not going to be a match for a Quality Technician II with at least 3 years of relevant manufacturing experience, demonstrated ability in measuring/verifying specifications, and an understanding of blueprints.

• A call center rep who's never stepped foot in a warehouse will not be a match for a material handler position with at least 2 years of forklift experience and a current or recent forklift licensing.

• A day-laborer would not be a match for a chef position in a high-output kitchen requiring large-batch, cooking-from-scratch experience and a culinary degree.

You get the picture. At least I hope you do. And yet, there are plenty of people who apply to positions willy-nilly because they "need a job" or "saw the pay rate" or "know they can learn."

Alright. I will not argue the fact that people can learn. If we couldn't, humanity would've died out long ago. Occasionally a skill set in another industry is appropriately transferrable to a new industry in ways that are creative and inspirational. People can learn, check.

But, if a client is specifically requesting candidates meet a minimum requirement to be considered, then the bar has been set. There is literally no point in arguing with me that "you think you can do it" and that "you're open to learning."

No.

Even if I, personally, felt you could learn, the hiring manager at the client would reject your resume as soon as I sent it over. Therefore, I'm not going to waste his/her time (or mine) by sending a resume that does not meet the minimum requirements. You can argue and attempt to convince me all you want, but the answer will still be no.

If you'd like an analogy (because we all know I enjoy a good analogy), think of it as a height requirement on an amusement park ride. You have to be 52 inches tall to ride the Doom Devil rollercoaster, say.

[Sidebar: No, I don't know if that's an actual coaster, but they all have fantastic names such as that, yes? Speaking of rollercoasters, if you've never been to Cedar Point in Ohio, I highly recommend it if you like rollercoasters. It's a blast.]

Anyway, back to the height requirement: 52 inches to ride. Why? Because it's a safety issue if you're not tall enough. The harness will not properly secure you to the ride, and there's a risk of you sustaining life-threatening injuries or death (and we've all heard of those freak accidents). So, if you don't meet the height requirement, you're not getting on the ride.

That's a bit of an extreme analogy, but still. A requirement is listed for a reason, be it to save you from a 200-foot drop when you fly out of your seat at the amusement park, because you will not understand what the hell you do with CAD software, or simply because the client doesn't have the time to teach you that the zoom knob on a microscope is not the same as the focus knob. Whatever the case is, if you are applying for a job and there is a section listing requirements, please read through them. If you do not meet the minimum requirements for the position and cannot conceivably explain why a particular skill you DO have is going to transfer appropriately to a listed requirement, do not waste your time, or ours, by submitting your application and/or resume for that job.