Working out which roles you fit

Before you ask anyone to put their name next to yours, check the role is a realistic fit. A referrer can only help if your experience matches enough of what the job needs. This method takes about ten minutes.

The three columns

• Column one: the requirements, copied from the job description.
• Column two: your honest evidence for each one, such as a project, a task or a result.
• Column three: a rating of yes, partly or not yet.

Reading the result

• Mostly yes: ask for a referral, and lead with your strongest two examples.
• A mix of yes and partly: still worth asking, but be open about the gaps and what you are doing about them.
• Mostly not yet: look for a closer role first, or build the missing experience, and come back to this one later.

Be fair to yourself

Job descriptions are often wish lists, so you rarely need every item. Focus on the ones that are clearly essential. If you are unsure, ask the referrer which requirements matter most.