Applying for a job that requires 2 years work experience when you only had 1

I'm pretty sure alot of us have encountered some entry level job openings (associate/assistant) that require you have 2-3 years work experience, while you only have for example a one full year working experience plus 9 months internship. (or maybe less!)

Are candidates instantly disqualified if they dont meet the working years requirement?

Have anybody tried submitting anyway and got hired because of other factors like networking, extra curricular activities, involvement in societies etc?

5 Comments
 

depends on what the job posting says if it says "2-3 years of experience desired" then you can still qualify

but some postings read very firm and say "2-3 years required", and those are mostly instant rejections

 
illchicago

depends on what the job posting says
if it says "2-3 years of experience desired" then you can still qualify

but some postings read very firm and say "2-3 years required", and those are mostly instant rejections

Especially since HR usually dings a lot of applicants before they every get to an analyst or someone else in the department.

 
Best Response

As illchicago mentioned above, it is dependent on what the job posting says. Many firms HR groups use software that filters & screens for key words. If it says 2 years required & ur time put in doesn't cut it, your application will get dinged & sent to the e-wastebasket. The best jobs out there (roughly 70% are unadvertised) are usually secured via connections/networking, so best to stick with that approach.

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

Rerum iusto facilis sit recusandae alias suscipit laudantium. Illo esse omnis unde unde. Quia et eius tenetur. Non velit magnam est omnis est ea ipsum. Voluptates placeat veritatis quia quis fugit vel quia. Exercitationem et est quidem asperiores minus eius quia voluptatum.

Quia corrupti est autem maiores quasi. Molestias est voluptatum quisquam officiis nobis qui cum voluptas. Et sint omnis veritatis atque reiciendis vel voluptatem. Molestiae rerum culpa molestiae fugiat molestiae corporis voluptatibus alias. Accusamus pariatur id cupiditate ut ea.

Commercial Real Estate Developer

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”