How to Find Roles That Don’t Look Right (But Actually Are)

Job descriptions aren’t always telling the truth. Have you ever looked at a job posting and thought, “I could do this… but I don't have that exact job title”?

Most people scroll right past those. They think if the title doesn’t match their current one — or if the list of tools and years of experience doesn’t align perfectly — they’re out of the running.

But here’s the truth: job descriptions are often written in a rush, with limited thought. They’re a wish list. And your job is to show how your experience still fits, even if it doesn’t tick every single box.

Positioning is everything

When you’re job hunting, you have to learn how to position yourself. That means making the link between what you’ve done and what the company needs — even if the titles don’t match.

Think of it like translation. You’re not changing your story — you’re reframing it in a way that the hiring manager understands.

For example, maybe your current title doesn’t include “Lifecycle Marketing,” but you’ve been running segmented campaigns, analysing data, and optimising customer journeys. That is lifecycle marketing. The trick is to connect those dots clearly.

Here’s how to do it:

Interpret the role, don’t copy it

When you read a job description, don’t just look for exact matches. Look for the intent behind each line. If it says “experience with Klaviyo,” what they really mean is, “Can you run CRM campaigns and use data to make decisions?” If you’ve used another platform, you can learn this one.

Find the overlap and name it

Create a short list of parallels between what you do now and what the role requires. Then use their language to describe your experience. For instance, if you’ve been running personalised campaigns, you might say, “I’ve led lifecycle-style marketing strategies that increased engagement through targeted testing.”

Lead with your edge

Maybe you don’t have the “always-on” campaign experience — but you do have deep testing and strategy skills. That’s your edge. Don’t hide it. Highlight it. Show them how your way of working could help their business perform better. Positioning is about creating curiosity, not conformity.

A final thought

Most people lose out on great roles because they try too hard to fit the mould. The best opportunities often come from showing how you don’t fit perfectly but bring something smarter, fresher, and more strategic.

So next time you see a role that’s “not quite you,” look again. The best matches often happen off paper.

If you’d love help working out how to position yourself for the roles you actually want, that’s exactly what we do in the Creative Career Level Up.

We’ll find your edge, build your pitch, and help you land your next perfect role.