No one ever thinks that a job interviewer would turn them down for being too qualified for a position. After all, a person that is too qualified would be a great addition to any company. The problem is that far too many people are hearing that they are overqualified in today’s uncertain job market. Oftentimes, the candidate is merely seeking a new opportunity or want to break free from some of the responsibilities that his or her other position demanded.
Never check the latest job openings and pass up on an opportunity that you would love, but would normally decline because of being afraid of the overqualified epidemic. There are ways to get around this problem.
Express Your Opinion
Explain that you want to work for a new company and understand that you may be too qualified for the position. Explain that you want a change of pace and that the position you are applying for is what you truly want to do.
Company Praise
When applying for a major company, you may be willing to take a lower salary for the opportunity. This means you would will be willing to start in a position lower than your skill level demands. Tell the interviewer that you have always wanted to work for the company and that a lower position is more than acceptable to be part of the team.
If this position is a little different than what you have done in the past, explain how you will be bolstering your skillset and want to gain experience in the field.
The Position Provides Growth
Oftentimes, larger entities will have a way for people to grow from their current positions. This is a major selling point of a job and explaining that you want to grow with the company is a great idea.
Once the rebuttal stage is over, there are a few other pointers that you can use to convince the interviewer that you are the perfect candidate.
- Salary is always a concern. By accepting the current salary, you will greatly increase your chances of getting a job. Let the interviewer know that you understand that they may not match your past salary, but that you accept this because you want to work for the company.
- Being desperate for a job is often what an interviewer thinks when they see a person far too qualified to apply. When this is the case, express that this is a career choice not a necessity. If you are willing, mention that you will sign a contract to agree to work for a pre-defined period of time.
- Stress that you will not quit when a better position opens up. By letting the company know that you are not looking at the opening as a short term plan, they will be far more likely to hire you. Companies have to safeguard their investment and if they think you will quit shortly after being hired, you will not get the job.
Convincing a potential employer that the job is the ideal fit can be difficult. If you truly want to work for the company, you must express how you plan to be a long-term employee, that you are okay with a lower salary, and you wish to grow with the company.
Being overqualified for a position is an interesting place to be. All the jobs I would potentially apply for I’m missing one or two skills or I’m an “intermediate” instead of “advanced” level of a skill. I know that being overqualified is a big issue for a lot of job applicants, though, so this is some good advice of how to deal with it.
My father-in law tried to apply for a lower position, but he was always overqualified. Gladly one employer contacted him and offered him a managerial position in one company in Saudi.
My mom was overqualified for many years until she realized she had to switch cities.
Your suggestion about giving the company praise and accepting a lower position is a good one. This shows a willingness to be a team player and sacrifice for the good of the company.
I think you mean stigma!!!
I’m typically underqualified but I always overdeliver. I just need to convince prospective employers of that so I can show them.
I’ve had this problem lately. It’s frustrating because employers don’t seem to understand that work-life balance is more important. They don’t realize what a great deal they are missing out on!