Rivellon_13's journey

I've been actively job searching for the past six weeks and I've noticed a perplexing pattern in my applications. Despite applying for positions where I meet nearly all the requirements, I've faced mostly instant rejections or silence. These roles are in the same industry, using the same software, and involve the exact type of work I've done before. It's frustrating because I feel like my background aligns perfectly with what they're looking for. On the other hand, I've received interviews for jobs where I only meet about 70% of the qualifications. For instance, one position required experience with a specific system that I’ve never used, and another preferred a certification that I don’t have. I almost didn’t apply for these roles, thinking I wouldn’t stand a chance, but both companies reached out to me for interviews. This has led me to wonder if I’ve been wasting my time trying to be the 'perfect' candidate. Is it possible that hiring managers are more intrigued by candidates who don’t meet every single requirement? Or am I just experiencing a coincidence in a limited sample size? I’m curious to hear if others have had similar experiences.