By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
Of all the reasons why you can’t find a job, one of the most frustrating is being told you’re “overqualified.”
In fact, you’re constantly encouraged to learn new skills, gain more education, and deepen your experience. But when you try to demonstrate these qualifications during the job search process, they can sometimes become a weight around your neck.
why on earth Won’t Do employers want people who meet and exceed job requirements? This doesn’t make any sense!
The fact is: there is no such thing as overqualification. All things being equal, most organizations will like Hire people with outstanding qualifications that exceed their dreams.
“Overqualification” is rarely the real reason you didn’t get the job. Rather, the overqualification rationale usually represents some other concern the employer has about your candidacy.
What does it mean to be overqualified?
When employers say you’re overqualified, here’s what they think:
you don’t want this job
The job at hand is below your skill level, and given your experience, you may not be interested in the position. You are applying to get your foot in the door or because you desperately need a job. Once you find something that better suits your experience level, you’ll be gone.
You will be unhappy with this position
Even if you think you want the job, you’ll quickly become bored or dissatisfied with the day-to-day responsibilities. An unhappy, unmotivated employee does no one any good.
you are too expensive
The market salary for someone with your skills is outside the range the employer has budgeted for the position. Why would they interview you if they can’t afford to hire you?
you will be hard to manage
Good bosses hire people who are smarter than them. But no one wants to deal with a know-it-all employee who might expose his or her supervisor. Remember, bosses are human and prone to vanity, pride, and insecurities just like everyone else.
There is little room for growth within the organization
In some cases, an employer may hire someone with outstanding qualifications if the company has a clear career path. However, if it’s a small organization with limited flexibility, they may be more reluctant to hire someone with too many skills.
you are too old
Yeah…that’s ugly.
Some employers perpetuate negative stereotypes about older job applicants. The law prohibits them from discriminating on the basis of age, so “overqualification” is a useful indicator to avoid explicitly addressing age in hiring.
What to do if you are overqualified
Has a prospective employer ever told you that you were overqualified for a job?
Congratulations! On the one hand, you should feel honored that your employer has recognized your exceptional skills and experience.
At the same time, admitting doesn’t solve the problem. You want and need a job!
To avoid being rejected for being overqualified, you need to take the following steps:
explain your situation
Employers label you as overqualified when there is an unexplained disconnect between your career history and the job at hand. If you seem to be taking a step back in your career, employers will want to know why.
If you don’t explain the “why,” the hiring manager will find the answer in their imagination. (And that probably won’t be a positive explanation that gives you the benefit of the doubt.)
That’s why it’s important to explain the direction you’re seeking in your career. Career changes are normal and acceptable—even if it means taking a job that on the surface seems like a downgrade. You just need to know that you are consciously choosing this path.
In your cover letter, clearly tell the hiring manager why you’re applying for the job, even though you may be overqualified. For example:
“After working as a senior marketing strategist for a while, I realized I was more interested in the tactical aspects of marketing, such as writing copy and designing promotional materials.”
“When I ran the company, I never liked the business side of the role: recruiting, managing people, budgeting, etc. I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to focus on what I loved most – raising capital – and leave the business operations to others.”
“I spent many years managing large teams in the high-stress world of product development. At this point in my career, I wanted to step back and take on a more supportive role and hopefully make your job as a manager a little less stressful.”
Show your passion for the job
Of course, simply explaining your situation isn’t enough. You also have to be very clear about why you’re excited about the specific job you’re applying for.
This is something all job seekers must do, especially those who are applying for jobs that may appear overqualified on paper.
You need to explain what excites you about the job and the organization you are applying for. There may be many different opportunities that fit your career goals, but what is it about this specific job that energizes you?
If you can express this enthusiasm effectively, you won’t have to worry about being overqualified.
Be clear (and reasonable) about your salary expectations
Let’s be clear…money is almost always a consideration in the hiring process. If the employer thinks they can’t afford your fees, your application will never receive fair consideration.
If you strategically move your career down, you need to reasonably expect your salary to be lower as well. (In most cases, employers pay you based on the skills you use on the job, rather than all the skills you can theoretically offer.) Make your expectations clear in your cover letter so the employer doesn’t guess what you want.
You don’t need to tie yourself to a specific salary number. Instead, consider using language that makes it clear you understand the salary is commensurate with the job responsibilities.
Explain how your additional skills will help them
Now that you understand how this job fits your career plans, interests, and salary expectations, you have a huge opportunity to use overqualification to your advantage.
Don’t be afraid to talk about all the skills you have. Don’t assume that employers will immediately see the value of all your experience. Tell them clearly how your diverse background can help the organization grow.
The more comprehensively you can express your value, the better you will stand out from less qualified candidates.
network, network, network
All of the previous strategies addressed corporate objections to overqualified candidates. But they don’t address the personal concerns hiring managers may have about hiring someone who appears to be overqualified.
If hiring managers harbor these bias-based fears, it can be difficult to reassure them in a cover letter or resume.
This is why building a network within your field is so important. Increasing your personal and professional visibility is the best way to overcome almost any objection an employer may have to your candidacy. The Internet gives you this opportunity.
Connections to hiring managers (even secondary or tertiary connections) can provide social proof of your candidacy. This is the best way to judge your application on its own merits, rather than on a manager guessing you are overqualified possible means.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2024
If they interview a lot of people, should you apply?
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he makes so many things in people’s careers easier. Those ones
Matters may involve job search, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,000 episodes.
How to thrive in your career if you have a disability
You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, Job Hunting.Community In addition to video courses, books, and guides, I answer members’ questions about their job search every day. Leave your job search questions and I will respond every day. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you everything you get as an Insider+ member, plus you can connect with me via Zoom call to get your questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we offer individual and group coaching.
Avoid non-compete agreements
Schedule a discovery call to discuss coaching you during your job search at www.TheBigGameHunter.us Talk to me about one-on-one or group coaching
LinkedIn:
Continue the criticism www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques
38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid
We allow this and other articles to be used on your site as long as they include a backlink www.TheBigGameHunter.us and states that it is provided by Jeff Altman of The Big Game Hunter as the author or creator. Does not acknowledge his work or provide backlinks www.TheBigGameHunter.us Subjects you to a $1,000 fine, which you voluntarily agree to pay.
