@thecareerdecoded: What do you do when a hiring manager challenges your qualifications? A candidate recently shared that during a panel interview, a hiring manager told her she didn’t meet all of the requirements for the role. She didn’t know what to say and simply responded: “Okay.” If you’re sitting in the interview, you’re sitting there for a reason. In today’s job market, hiring managers are not interviewing candidates for the hell of it. They think you’re qualified. But the bigger question is: Do you think you’re qualified? Because if you believe you’re qualified for the role, you need to state it with conviction. When a hiring manager challenges your experience… Don’t buckle. This is your opportunity to explain why you’re qualified. Here’s how I would approach it. Step 1: Acknowledge the elephant in the room “You’re right. On paper, I may not check every box listed in the job description.” Step 2: State your belief “However, I absolutely believe I’m qualified for this role, and here’s why.” Step 3: Connect your experience to their needs “For the past five years, I’ve been responsible for solving many of the same challenges you’re hiring this position to solve.” “While my title, industry, or background may be different, the skills required to deliver results are very similar.” “Based on what you’ve shared about the role, I believe those experiences would allow me to add value quickly and help solve the challenges your team is facing.” Another way to answer: “You’re right that my background may not look identical to someone who has done this exact role before.” “However, I’d love to share why I believe my experience aligns with what you’re trying to accomplish.” Then walk them through specific examples of problems you’ve solved, results you’ve delivered, and how those experiences translate to the role. Remember: The hiring manager already knows what you haven’t done. They can see that on your resume. What they’re trying to determine is: What do they get by hiring you? Sometimes hiring managers create hurdles during interviews. Not because they’ve eliminated you. Because they want to see how you think. Can you connect your experience to their needs? Can you explain the value you bring? Can you show them why your experience translates to the role? That’s often the real test. When a hiring manager says: “You don’t meet all of the requirements.” Don’t hear: “You’re not qualified.” Hear: “Tell me why I should hire you anyway.” #job #interview #career #careeradvice #hiring

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Friday 12 June 2026 02:28:44 GMT