When applying for jobs...

[Roman]

... that require "expertise," "proficiency," "understanding," or other knowledge-indicating words, how should one approach the requirements?

For example (from a posting on the RIM website):

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
...
Expertise in one or more of the following languages C++, Java, Python, PHP or Perl
...

What exactly do they expect? And what level of "expertise" is sufficient to apply? People say there is a fine line between being too "humble" and reaching too high. Is there? I don't want to apply only to make a fool out of myself in an interview, but at the same time every position has similar requirements.

Thanks in advance,
-RZ

[wtd]

Be brutally honest. You don't want to work for any company that would hire you because you BSed your way through the application and interview process.

So, how does this mesh if you don't know Python or Perl, for instance, but you still want to work for RIM? Emphasize your ability to learn, and do some basic research and experimentation with the tools in question to show intiative.

[Roman]

That's encouraging Largely because I really don't like to BS.

RIM isn't my first-choice employer, but I have done some programming in Python... though I doubt what I did could be considered as "expertise."