I applied for a QA position in which, among others, it was requested that I have, quoting, "Proficiency in Java + Selenium Webdriver".
In my XP I played with Selenium in Python, Java and JavaScript but I actually worked with LeanFT, which is a competitor for Selenium (and even has a wrapper over Selenium that enhances its functionalities).
That concerning Selenium itself, but as far as QA experience goes, my technical skills and even some management experience... let's just say I can take on any QA position and do a very good job.
HR responded to my application:
Thanks a lot for considering COMPANY as your next employer, we really appreciate you getting in touch!
Unfortunately, your profile does not fully match the requirements of this position.
I replied that I'm curious why, and they said
For the QA position that you applied one of the requirement is to be proficient in Selenium Webdriver and I didn't find that in your profile.
Would it be helpful for me to reply and explain the following?
Thank you for your reply. It is feedback like this that helps us improve.
For that purpose, I'd like to point out that, as can be seen in my experience at company X, I've worked extensively with LeanFT which, besides being a professional automation tool and which requires an advanced technical understanding in order to be efficiently used, it also provides a wrapper over selenium which, to use it, means you must know and work with Selenium.
I also explored Selenium in my spare time, out of passion, in JS, Python and Java SDKs and I was comfortable achieving whatever goal I had in my exploration, with any of its Webdrivers.
Lastly, in the profile requested by the position, it is requested to have "1-3 years experience in QA and automated testing" which, at least from my point of view, it's nowhere near what "proficiency" in a field represents
All in all, I strongly consider I would be a perfect fit and bring a lot of value to the company.
On one hand I think it would help to "teach" HR about LeanFT, but on the other hand I worry that it might be considered rude.
Honestly, the fact that they replied with what was wrong was an invitation for me to confirm/infirm that.