Now the majority of vacancies I have worked on throughout my career tend to be pretty straight forward and usually only require one sought after skill or in most cases new JavaScript framework (insert the flavor of the month here) but from time to time a hiring manager will ask for the impossible say the .Net Loch Ness monster or Front-end Sasquatch with 10 years React js experience.
In many cases, after being asked the impossible a recruiter will head straight to the database then to LinkedIn and finally ask every consultant in the office to reread the job description to see if they have missed the vital piece of information. All in all spending 2 - 3 weeks trying to find a solution architect with the power of flight!
And after having wasted so much precious time most likely on the bank of Loch Ness in a kagool with a pair of binoculars waiting for the sighting of this rare beast you finally have to go back to the client with your tail between your legs having over-promised and under-delivered.
For me, when receiving any vacancy or requirement it is paramount to understand what the clients needs not what they want. And it is your job to uncover this!
The best way to do this is not to aimlessly browse a job description and boolean search all of the buzzwords but actually have a discussion about the requirements, technical skills, soft skills and even offer alternatives. This can be done with the hiring manager, HR, in-house recruiter, tech lead, CTO or CEO (preferably all or as many as possible) And rather than a machine gun style of recruitment where everyone in a 2 mile radius will have an inmail about the latest and greatest Java technology even though they are a pen tester, you will become a recruitment sniper and hit the most relevant people.
If you have ever seen the 1982 classic, The Last Unicorn, you're probably well aware that unicorns are pretty rare in the world but indeed do exist. So unearthing these bad boys is the tricky part and in most cases takes planning, preparation, skill and a lot of effort but when you unearth the Luke Skywalker of Chippenham it is imperative that they can display the full power of the force at interview stage and you can sit back as you have successfully under-promised and over-delivered.