I’ve been on the job hunt for a while now, and I’m finding myself questioning how much weight to give the "required experience" listed in job postings. I often see roles that specify a mandatory 1 year of experience with certain software or skills that seem somewhat arbitrary. It makes me wonder if this is just a way for companies to filter out candidates without having to train new hires. I've been considering applying to these positions anyway, despite not meeting every single requirement. Some insights from others suggest that job descriptions often represent a wishlist rather than a strict checklist, and many people don’t tick every box. However, I’ve also heard from hiring managers that certain roles, especially in government, have hard requirements that can’t be overlooked. I’m leaning towards applying more broadly and seeing what happens, as it’s ultimately their decision to review my application.