How to Overcome Being Overqualified
Have you ever gone through the interview process, felt confident that you'd performed extremely well, and then heard these dreadful words: "I'm sorry, but we feel you're overqualified for this position."
Arrggh!!
When I was told that after an interview, several thoughts went through my frustration-fogged mind... What kind of crazy excuse is that for not hiring me? So what if I'm 'overqualified' -- don't employers always want to hire the person with the best qualifications? If I'm willing to take this job, overqualified or not, why is that a problem? This isn't fair! What's the real reason they don't want to hire me?
When interviewers say you are "overqualified," here's what they are concerned about:
(1) You'll be bored in this position;
(2) You won't be satisfied with the salary they're offering;
(3) You'll leave as soon as you get a better opportunity;
(4) They'll have to go through the time-consuming and expensive process of hiring and training someone all over again.
They may or may not make you feel better about being "overqualified," but you must admit those are legitimate concerns.
If you get the "overqualified" excuse once, you'll be wary about getting it again. So if you apply for other jobs that may be at a lower level than warranted by your background, skills, education and experience, you may be tempted to "dumb down" your resume and omit things like college degrees. But lying about your background is not the way to go.
Here's a better strategy: address it head-on. Be the first one to raise the "overqualified" issue with a potential employer. If you bring it up yourself, you can discuss it openly and convince the interviewer that it
won't be a problem.
They key -- as with every job interview issue -- is to anticipate and prepare. Before you go to the interview,think about what you'll say and how you will convince them that they should hire you, even if you are "overqualified."
After explaining how you will be a great asset for their company, tell them why you are applying for a lower-level position. Do not say, "I can't find anything else and I really need a job." Though that may be the case, this approach is a little too honest and will reinforce their fear that you will leave
at the first opportunity.
Say something like, "You can tell that I've worked at a higher level before, but this position is exactly what I'm looking for." Then, depending on the job and your circumstances, explain why. For example:
* "I've always wanted to work for your company [or in this industry], and I'm willing to take a lower-level position to get that opportunity."
* "It will allow me to use my skills and expand my experience in a new field."
* "I'm looking for something a little less stressful, with fewer responsibilities, so I can spend more time with my family."
* "This position provides the stability and long-term growth potential I'm looking for."
* "The salary is not my top priority. I'd have no problem with earning less than I've earned in the past."
Be very enthusiastic about the job. Explain how you can meet their needs now and in the future as the company grows. And most important of all, convince them that you will not quit as soon as something better comes along.
If you are convinced that this job would be worth it, you might even try this: offer to sign an agreement stating that you will stay on the job for a minimum of 12 months. Whether the hiring manager actually takes you up on that offer or not, it will definitely make a very positive impression!
If you anticipate the "overqualified" issue and address it up front, it will not be a drawback to your success!
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
 Google News Updated : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:55:47 GMT Export Tax That Angers Farmers Advances in Argentina - New York Times
New York Times - By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO RIO DE JANEIRO - After a marathon session that lasted through the night, Argentina’s lower house of Congress on Saturday narrowly approved agricultural export tax increases that the government imposed four months ago. Argentine Lower House Passes Grain Export-Tax Plan (Update3) Argentina lawmakers approve farm export tax hike Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:36:35 GMT Renault chief expects car industry consolidation - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France: A slump in the global automotive sector could give impetus to plans for consolidation within the industry, according to the head of the French carmaker Renault. Renault CEO sees 'difficult' return from summer holidays for ... Renault's Ghosn Sees Carmaker Consolidation as Stocks Decline Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:00:44 GMT AT&T's Odd iPhone Offer - TechNewsWorld
TechNewsWorld - By Eric Benderoff Some of the details surrounding AT&T's iPhone prices make little sense, writes Eric Benderoff. The company will sell a 3G iPhone with no contract for a $400 premium. iPhone 3G line forms in NYC for a green cause Where the iPhone Failed Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:04:21 GMT Google trying to take privacy seriously - ZDNet
ZDNet - This week was a very interesting week as far as Google and privacy goes. First, a burglary (the same on that affected CNET earlier last month) was confirmed to have affected all Google employees hired before December 31, 2005. Court order on YouTube user data fans privacy fears • YouTube Ordered To Release User Data Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:49:42 GMT Republican Party ad assails Obama on energy - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - TITLE: "Balance." LENGTH: 30 seconds. AIRING: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. SCRIPT: Announcer: "Record gas prices. For Republicans, the Senate outlook is bad How Bush Ratings Complicate Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:00:58 GMT Muscle strain to sideline Gay for two weeks - Washington Post
Washington Post - EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) - World 200 meters champion Tyson Gay has a mild muscle strain in his left leg and will be unable to train at full strength for up to two weeks, his management company said on Sunday. Gay diagnosed with mild leg strain Defending World Champion Is Injured During Trials Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:46:37 GMT Alex Rodriguez’s Wife Left Him Over Alleged Affair with Madonna - People Magazine People Magazine - After putting up with years of flirtations with other women, Alex Rodriguez's wife Cynthia finally left the Yankee star over his rumored affair with Madonna and his newfound interest in Kabbalah, according to sources close to the situation. Madonna's other Guy is link between A-Rod, Lenny Kravitz Trainer: A-Rod 'brainwashed' by Madonna Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:45:54 GMT Display RSS Feeds on Your Website |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... I recently talked with a client who was paralyzed at... Read More Throughout the past decade, workplace diversity issues have allowed organizations... Read More Are you thinking about getting your online health care degree... Read More "You ain't going nowhere, son. You ought to go back... Read More Sometime last summer I decided to host a pity party... Read More What is the biggest mistake people make with resumes?People write... Read More Would you like to have more energy and synergy in... Read More More than four out of ten thirtysomething professionals want to... Read More The line between average and exceptional work performance is dotted... Read More CIO Magazine ran an article entitled, "Ten Mistakes CIO's Too... Read More The job search secret that is so powerful it will... Read More There is no easy way to define exactly what editors,... Read More Although today's job market can be very competitive, many job... Read More Most jobs on farms in the UK involve picking strawberries... Read More You are looking for a job and you are out... Read More Most people at some point in their lives have to... Read More She was waiting for me when I returned from a... Read More Whether you've been downsized, are looking for a career change... Read More You've been a model employee: responsible, industrious, creative and productive.... Read More Successful career change is based on first making an honest... Read More 1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most... Read More The "hard" skills necessary for an executive protection specialist (EPS)... Read More You are about to compete for the best people again.... Read More There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover... Read More
Adsense
websites
How to Turn Career Mistakes into Career Wins
Playing from the Blue Tees: Women in the Federal Government
Getting Your Online Health Care Administration Degree
Fact or Opinion?
Whiners Need Not Apply
Always Have a Current Resume
Energizing Synergy
Do Dream Jobs Really Exist?
Knowing and Guessing
Pebbles in Your Shoe Dont Only Hurt your Foot But Cause Back and Hip Problems!
Job Search Secret #1
You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression
Stand Out From the Crowd with Simple Marketing Methods
Your First Summer Work in the UK - Picking Strawberries The Right Way
Resume Writing - Things to Consider
How To Deal With A Difficult Boss
Kill the Hype
Resume 101
How to Deal With Workplace Inflexibility
Career Change: Success Tips
How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign
Necessary Psychological Skills When Working in the Executive Protection Field
Old Hiring Foxes vs. The Hedgehogs
Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design
Beat the Crowd with Winning Resume Cover Letters
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Are You Tired of Hiring Other Peoples Rejects? - 12 Mistakes Recruiters Make and How To Avoid Them
When John applied for a job at Oakland Company, his... Read More
Career Strategy When Your Boss is a Bully
Q. Right after I accepted my new position, the manager... Read More
How To Write A Résumé
Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More
Everyone Should Have a RED BALL in the Job Search
May I explain what about what a red ball means... Read More
Dress For Success
You have heard the phrase, "Dress for Success." This is... Read More
Using Your Whine Factor
Brian's work was exceptional. Still, as his boss,... Read More
Resumes OR CV : Get That Job
Your resume is your sales document. It tells the world... Read More
Why Become A Truck Driver?
There are a great number of good reasons for someone... Read More
Cracking the Connection Code: Networking for the Introverted
We've all heard it before: "Just get out there and... Read More
Managing Change -- Endings Are Just Doorways to New Beginnings
Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More
Resume Writing - Things to Consider
You are looking for a job and you are out... Read More
Your Attitude Is Screaming
There is more attitude around than the 'traditional 'positive /... Read More
Should You Telework/Telecommute
"WOW! I can work from home and make money? I... Read More
Travel Writer Jobs, What Are They And How To Find Them
Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into... Read More
The Squirrel Effect
An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More
Don?t Discount the Temporary Position Interview
If you think, 'it's just an interview for a temp... Read More
Minding Your Own Business
Think you have gone as far as you can in... Read More
How To Find A Job Writing Grant Applications
Do you have what it takes to land a job... Read More
Job Search Techniques: Smashing The Gray Ceiling
For decades, women have chaffed at the invisible glass ceiling... Read More
Dont Let Difficult People Derail Your Career
Unless you are among the luckiest people in the world,... Read More
Three Myths About Resume Writing
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
If Youre Fired, Will Past Employers Keep Your Secret?
Despite what some job seekers think, it is not illegal... Read More
How to Get Hired by Being Obvious
If you want a drink of water, do you hire... Read More
3 Ways To Succeed On Your First Job (Or Any Job)
You've heard the real estate cliché: the three factors that... Read More
Career Development - When Its Time for a Change
There's a certain courage required to hear your gut. To... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |