Leaving a job can sometimes improve your career more than staying , growth often comes from changing environments, not just working harder in the same one.
Why Job Seekers Should Apply Even If They Meet Only 60% of the Requirements
As a career coach, I often encourage job seekers to apply for roles even if they meet only about 60% of the requirements. Many people hesitate because they believe they must be a perfect match before they even try.
Allow me to explain this the way I understand it best, through running marathons.
When we train for a marathon, we rarely run the full 42.2 km during training. Most runners stop at 30 km or 32 km. For my last marathon, the longest distance I ran during training was 32 km.
That training distance prepares your body and mind to reach a certain level. When race day comes, you rely on that preparation, your discipline, and your mental strength to complete the remaining kilometres.
During my last race, I was pacing a few ladies. One had trained up to 30 km, another around 28 km or 25 km. Yet they still completed the marathon.
Of course, during the race there are moments when the energy drops. Sometimes you slow down, sometimes you walk a little. But then you recover and continue.
The same thing happens in interviews.
You may not answer every question perfectly. One or two questions might catch you off guard. Then, there are questions you answer exceptionally well. Those strong answers can compensate for the weaker ones.
Just like in a marathon, you recover during the race.
So if you meet 60% of the requirements, apply.
Preparation will carry you part of the way.
Confidence and resilience will carry you the rest.
The opportunity you almost didn't apply for becomes the one that changes your career.
There are runners who have completed 42.2 km after only training up to 10 km. They finish the race, sometimes with discomfort, but the experience gives them a clear idea of what the distance truly demands.
The same applies to interviews. Even if you are not fully prepared or don’t meet every requirement, attending the interview matters. It exposes you to the questions, the environment, and the expectations. That experience builds confidence and prepares you better for the next opportunity.
It is also exciting to apply for roles where you know you will learn and grow. Those opportunities stretch your thinking, develop new skills, and push you beyond your comfort zone. Staying only at the same level may feel safe, but roles that challenge you often become the ones that accelerate your career the most.
#MyCareerMyBusiness #JobSearchTips #RewritingCareerStories #PeopleFirst #CoachedByLisa #CareersInNamibia #IMPACT
@Simon_Ingari Excelling at your job often increases your workload, but doesn’t automatically create new opportunities. True advancement usually requires visibility, networking, initiative, and strategic thinking, not just competence.
They didn’t lie when they said you wake up one day and just don't care anymore. No warning, no dramatic shift, just a quiet, almost peaceful detachment.