Don't be too honest when job hunting—just get your foot in the door first.

Finding a job lately has been tough. Yesterday, a friend vented to me about how many positions require relevant experience—years of it, even—and expect one person to handle multiple roles. Scrolling through job apps, all I see are requirements like “3-5 years of experience,” “proficient in multiple skills,” and “able to independently manage projects.”

Honestly, being too honest might actually hurt your job prospects.

I used to overthink things too—always worrying about this and that, burning myself out internally. Since I lacked cross-industry experience, I kept applying for entry-level jobs paying 4,000-5,000 yuan. I didn’t know how to market myself or speak up. Packaging isn’t deception—it’s strategically showcasing your strengths. Highlight your learning agility, work ethic, and transferable skills. Bottom line: Hiring me is a sure bet.

I'd say get your foot in the door first. Every bit of knowledge counts—you learn by doing.

Seeing is knowing, knowing is mastering, mastering is becoming an expert. To put it bluntly, you're out here working—what professional ethics are you waiting for? First, take care of your basic needs. Even if you walk in and find the job's not what it seemed, watered down and full of hot air, it's the company's loss, not yours. The world is just a big makeshift stage. Your goal right now should be to squeeze onto that stage and find your footing.

Often, the actual difficulty of a job isn't as high as imagined. Most skills can be learned on the job. Employers value learning ability and adaptability more than your existing skill set. If you never dare to get on the bus, you'll stay stuck in place. Many job skills can be mastered quickly on the job, especially since skill barriers are low for many roles nowadays—you can find relevant experience and references online.

In today's harsh job market, we must make ourselves stand out when job hunting—otherwise, others won't even give you a chance. It's like that classic line from a TV drama: A train pulls up before you, and the conductor asks, “Young man, are you getting on?” You reply, “Where's this train headed? When does the next stop arrive? Are there any seats left?”

The train left long ago, and you can only wait for the next one. But when the next one arrives, you'll face the same dilemma! After waiting for ages, others have already reached Siberia while you're still stuck at the station. Who cares! Just get on! The train moves forward regardless. Where it goes isn't important—what matters is the scenery along the way.

Sometimes, don't overprepare. Don't wait until you think you meet all the requirements before applying for a job. During the job search, ask questions when you encounter something you don't know, look things up when you're unsure, and tackle challenges head-on.

Be bold and aim high. When job hunting, start by applying to positions you think might be out of your league. Even if you don't get them, you haven't lost anything. Often, those seemingly “out-of-reach” positions aren't seeking perfect candidates, but rather promising, driven individuals with minor flaws who can solve problems.

Many applicants agonize over their resumes: “I'm missing a certification—I'm definitely not qualified,” or “This role requires 3 years of experience, but I only have 1—forget it.” The real workplace rarely has perfect matches. Such cases are rare unless employers spend ages screening candidates. But those with deep experience need higher-level positions to match their skills. Job hunting and career moves are always upward trajectories.

“Sneaking in” doesn't mean encouraging deception. It means breaking through unnecessary self-imposed limits and boldly seizing opportunities. The real challenge begins on your first day on the job. Then, you'll need to prove you deserve the position through your abilities and bridge any previous gaps with hard work. Opportunity is like a door—sometimes you have to squeeze through first to find your place.

What we call honesty often just does the HR's screening for them.

A friend who's been in HR for years shared some recruitment realities: if we admit our skills are slightly lacking or we're not fully familiar with certain modules, it's essentially telling them to cross our names off the list. Reality is harsh—companies aren't charities, and interviews aren't exams! Every interview is a chance to showcase your strengths—a resource exchange. The truth is, too many “honest souls” hand opportunities to those who know how to sell themselves better.

Remember: Don't be too honest when job hunting. Get your foot in the door first. The rest? Let your skills do the talking.