I'm pretty sure I can tell when the advert for a technical post has been written by someone with technical knowledge and when it's written by a generalist/HR/manager person. Listing a ridiculous number of skills and/or buzzwords suggests the author doesn't really know what the job involves. Or that the job is so fuzzy that they can't pin down what is needed - never a good sign!

I think there's probably a lot of reading between the lines that can help. For example compare:
1. "Essential skill: Experienced R user (3+ years)"
2. "Essential skill: Experience of using R/SAS"

In the first case I'd rule myself out as I don't use R and even if willing to learn would be unable to get to the required level on the job in a fast enough time frame. But in the second case, even though I don't use R OR SAS, I'd consider myself eligible as I use Stata which is roughly equivalent, and the lack of detail about level of competence means I could probably persuade them to let me use Stata, or train me up in R/SAS. I would emphasise that equivalence and willingness to learn in the personal statement.

Does that interpretation sound reasonable to people with recruitment experience?

[BTW I thought in the UK it was no longer possible to specify years of experience as it is a form of age discrimination against the young. Rather, I thought the idea was that you were supposed to specify competencies instead].

I would say both examples you need to have used said product. People add years as it gives them reassurance the person will have gained more knowledge.. what can happen is person A has used the product for 5 years - but only sparingly person B has used it for 2 years constantly and has far better knowledge but 5 > 2 in an employers mind.

The time when a transferable skill/knowledge is ok (for me at least) is when it's a preferred/bonus skill. I always think when an advert has a ton of skills required it's best to steer clear.. it might as well say "dogs body" or grand titles i.e head of x or x manager and you manage 1 person and must be hands on. In effect you are the dogs body who also has to put up with complaints!

Plus I have found the more senior I get the less quantifiable my role is!! I joke that I am 50% counsellor 50% sales person. I calm people down and then try and convince them to do other things :)

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Wow, I didn't quite expect this response.