Job requirements as used for resume screening are always going to be imperfect. There have been some popular questions here on this topic, that I recommend reading, such as How can I overcome "years of experience" requirements when applying to positions?.
However rough of an approximation they provide, though, you are not going to get too far by placing the blame on the recruiter's side. Which means that you need to do something about it. I think that anything you can do will fall into one of three areas:
- Improve perceptions without lying (improve your resume).
- Improve your skills.
- Adjust your expectations.
Improve perceptions
There are an enormous amount of resources on this very site, as well as across the web, about how to tailor a resume to a specific skill set. Instead of writing as who you have been, rewrite it with a focus on the skills that have prepared you for who you want to be.
Remember; integrity is of high importance in the job search process. Make sure you can back up what you say. It may not be "as good" as you wish it was, but that is where parts #2 and #3 come in.
Improve your skills
There may be limited accomplishments you can achieve on your own due to the nature of the skill you are looking to add, but I'm sure there are several concrete things you can do. Here are a few ideas.
- Get Microsoft certified
- Run your own Windows Server, including mail, for personal use.
- Participate in MS/Windows/Exchange help forums until you are good enough to be giving the answers. This will teach you what you do not know, which may be key to #3.
Adjust your expectations
First the good news. I think you will find from reading around here and other places that "X years working with [technology]" does not mean that you need to use it day-in and day-out. This number should be completely justifiable by your experience (my own opinion, but I'm not an ops recruiter).
But here's the finer detail: The second bullet point does not use the word with, and it's not about a technology. It is a job title and it uses the word as. Sometimes, a company wants someone who's done that job before and there's no way around it. You may be out of luck unless you have an MS skill list a mile long. I suspect it's much more difficult to get around the "Y years work as [job title]. This is an objective filter that they want or they wouldn't have listed it.
Why? Have you heard of the Dunning-Kruger effect? It is an effect of individuals with less skill tend to perceive themselves at a much higher level than they really are. In any deep skill set, there are levels and levels of details that define what expertise in that skill really is. Individuals without years of experience acting as a problem-solver in that role cannot perceive these layers of difficulty.
See also:
The latter link also includes this fantastic chart illustrating this effect:
Don't take this too harshly; it sounds like you have great skills in related areas and enough skill to certainly get you started in a new area, maybe to do do so without a significant learning curve. But, with that said, here are a couple statements you said that may hinder your progress, by keeping you from seeing what you still can learn:
- Most Linux concepts about things such as DNS apply to Windows.
- Windows is very "point and click".
- It is all point and click and can be learned in an hour.
Most likely you have the skills to burn through these things and get up to speed quickly. However, don't discount the layers of complexity that you haven't even been exposed to yet.
Summary
Here's the most important point. If you want to change tracks, expect to take a couple steps back. Don't let your expertise in one field to fool you into thinking you are already an expert in another; instead, let it inform your learning in the new area and give you a head start.
You're more likely to succeed if you avoid arrogance. Realize what you have yet to learn, and while you tweak your perceived ability to recruiters, start acquiring the skill you need to really impress in the interview room.
