Here's how to pitch yourself for a job even if you're not 100% qualified

(CNN) You've found your dream job and you can't wait to apply, but there's a problem: You don't have all the listed skills and experience.

That shouldn't stop you from submitting your resume. You're probably not expected to have every single skill on the list anyway.

"Think of it as more of a wish list," said Barry Drexler, an interview coach and former human resources manager. When he was hiring, he said he would be happy with 70% to 80% of the skills on the list.

In fact, if you do meet all the requirements, you might be selling yourself short.

"If you can tick every box that has been requested, that implies that the job is almost exactly what you have done in the past and therefore you are making a lateral move rather than moving up," said Dorie Clark, author of "Entrepreneurial You."

When your shortfalls come up in an interview the key is to keep it positive.

If you are missing some skills:

Just because you don't have all the required skills doesn't mean you wouldn't be a great asset to the company. If you are asked about a skill you don't have, be honest while also demonstrating what you can do.

Review the job description again before heading into your interview and research any skills, tools or experience that you fall short on. That way when it comes up, you can at least talk about it knowledgeably.

Drexler recommended saying something like: I haven't used C++, but I know how it is applied and when it should be used and I have mastered programming languages just as complex.

"End with a positive and what you can do," he said.

Take the initiative to start to fill a skills gap ahead of the interview to show the hiring manager you are eager and committed to the job, recommended Clark. That can mean taking a basic online course on the topic or reading an applicable book.

"Doing something small is demonstrating good faith that shows you are interested in learning the skill and self-motivated to take action," she said.

If you haven't been in the job market long enough:

Keep in mind that companies are often flexible with their requirements. "Job postings are a company's best guess as to what they need," said Marc Cenedella, founder and CEO of Ladders.

So if the post is seeking 10 years experience and you fall short, evaluate whether you have the skills to accomplish what they need.

"Take a step back and understand what they are really asking for," said Clark. "Usually they want someone who has experience and enough executive presence that they can command the respect of people reporting to them."

So if you're short on years of experience, be prepared with examples that are applicable to the position that show your qualifications, skills and ability to excel at the job.

Focus on your previous accomplishments and results. "Companies don't pay people for 10 years of experience, they pay them for what they can produce," said Cenedella.

If you're missing a diploma:

For some jobs, there's no budging on the necessary educational requirements. But for others, a college degree is used as a filtering mechanism.

"It's not about the degree, but what the degree implies," said Clark. "They know in a broad sense [a candidate] can communicate and write acceptably."

If you don't have the required degree, show how your previous work experience and practical training provided the necessary skills that others might have learned in a classroom.

Be poised with your response. "You don't want to be defensive or insecure, the confidence you project is very important," noted Drexler.

Clark suggested being upfront if you are missing a degree. For instance, if the company is looking to hire someone with an MBA, make a list of all the skills that are associated with that degree and give examples of how your skills align.

If you don't have management experience:

Going from an individual contributor to a manager is the biggest move you can make, noted Cenedella.

Not having management experience can be the toughest gap to overcome, so be prepared with specific examples of management and leadership experience. "Much of management in the modern era is about influence, persuasion and motivating others to get on the same page and move into the same direction," said Clark.

Showing the ability to lead and work well with others also helps. For example, say something like, "I have worked on teams where I have taken the initiative for a leadership role," suggested Drexler, or "I haven't had direct reports, but I am capable of influencing and motivating people."

Drawing on volunteer and extracurricular activities can also help bolster your experience.

So give examples in your life where you have done that, whether it was chairing a committee for a non-profit or being the captain of your softball team, said Clark.