Sandra, who understood this early on, says that when applying for new positions, she never met all the requirements, as instead of fearing the lack of experience, she always chose to emphasize the value she could create.
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An important turning point for Sandra Tomkienė was the decision to apply for an IT analyst position without experience in this field. She managed to get the job because the managers assessed that the experience and skills gained in her previous work could be well applied in the new field. According to S. Tomkienė, success in this selection allowed her to understand that some competencies can be successfully transferred from one field to another, and missing knowledge can be learned.
This was not the only time – she often applied for new positions without meeting all the requirements, but she convinced managers with specific work examples, motivation to learn, and a desire to grow. “At every career step, I reminded myself of a simple rule: if you send your CV – you lose nothing, if you don’t send it – you lose the opportunity,” says S. Tomkienė, who now holds the position of senior product manager at the television platform “Telia Play.”
Why is it worth applying even if you don’t meet all the requirements?
Data from recent years of the World Economic Forum shows that women often accumulate even more experience than actually needed when seeking new positions. This is how they try to ensure that their competencies will be favorably evaluated.
This is also noticed by Jarūnė Preikšaitė, head of the organization “Women Go Tech,” which helps women pursue careers in technology. She says women direct too much of their energy into raising their competence. “They attend courses, hackathons, events. But the more they learn, the less confidence remains when applying, because it always seems that not everything has been learned yet. Improvement is necessary, but it does not replace the courage to take a step and send a CV. A clear goal definition helps here: for example, firmly stating that I want to change my position within six months. Then it is easier to focus efforts and do only what is really needed,” she advises.
Daiva Kasperavičienė, head of People, Culture, and Legal at “Telia,” points out that women are usually held back by unclear or very long lists of requirements in job ads. “Women tend to have a strong sense of responsibility, and seeing a long list of requirements, they may start doubting themselves. That’s why we also try to prepare the simplest, most open ads possible,” says D. Kasperavičienė.
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J. Preikšaitė agrees that organizations should put more effort into preparing job ads, as they are often the first and only contact with the employer. “Yes, a too long list discourages, so companies should clearly separate mandatory requirements from desirable ones. Also indicate whether remote work is possible, how many days, or if a fixed schedule is important. Flexibility at work is an essential condition for women who take on a larger share of responsibilities at home,” she reminds.
The most important question before changes: “Do I want it more or am I more afraid?”
For those considering changes but doubting their experience, S. Tomkienė advises sincerely answering one question. “Every time doubts arose, I asked myself: do I want it more, or am I more afraid? When the desire to grow becomes stronger than the fear of not meeting expectations, courage appears,” says S. Tomkienė.
She also advises not to wait for someone to offer a new opportunity but to actively seek the desired direction yourself – for example, find a mentor or get involved in additional activities. This method worked well for S. Tomkienė herself. “It’s worth learning through practice: volunteering at events, representing the company at conferences, or taking on new projects. It was by testing myself this way that I understood where my true strengths lie, which activities give me the most energy, and where I want to move forward,” she notes.
She recommends constantly recording your strengths, achievements, and specific examples that demonstrate your competencies. This habit helps better see your growth, not forget what you have already achieved, and strengthens self-confidence. Then, when a new career opportunity arises, it is much easier to show with concrete examples what you can do and how you have solved real situations. According to S. Tomkienė, organizational or business management challenges – from stalled processes to conflicts or expansion – are similar in many areas. Therefore, it is worth focusing not on what is still missing but on what value you can already create.
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