What to do when you have been told you’re too over-qualified for the job.

There is nothing more frustrating as a job-seeker than being told that you are too over-qualified for the position, even though the position was exactly what you were looking for. I mean, what’s with them – why aren’t employers picking up on someone like you that could do the job blind-folded.

So what can you do about it to ensure that next time you won’t be rejected on the basis of being too over-qualified for a position.

Step One – Understand the basis of the rejection

Instead of taking the rejection so personally, understand the basis of the rejection so next time you can avoid being overlooked.
Employers don’t employ over-qualified candidates for very solid reasons, including:

• The perception (or reality), that the job is just a stop gap filler and that as soon as a better opportunity arises you will quickly move on (including being headhunted by recruiters and other organisations).
• That you will become bored and frustrated with your place within the organisation which, in turn, will mean that you could have a negative impact on the working environment, or again quickly move on.
• That once you are established within the workplace you will expect a higher salary or perks in line with your experience and qualifications. Many employers do not want to pay this salary (or cannot afford a pay increase) in line with your qualifications and experience.
• The employer might simply be suspicious of your motives. I mean, why is it that you want a job in which you are clearly overqualified for.

Step Two – Counter the potential employer’s concerns.

Now that you have an understanding of why an employer might be reluctant to hire you, you can use this knowledge to convince the employer that you would in reality be a good choice for them.

Marketing documents (cover letter and resume)

Cover Letters

Be up front about why you want a lesser position in your cover letter. If you have a legitimate reason, such as wanting to spend more time with your family or the commuting distance to work will be closer for you, then you might just have eased any potential concern of an employer about why you are taking on a lesser position and why you are willing to earn less.

When providing a reason, make sure it does not work against you. For example, it might not be so good telling them that you just had a total breakdown, or you just don’t want to work as hard since this will probably be prejudicial to your application.

Resumes/Curriculum Vitae

Now is the time to re-write your resume and to be selective with the information that you use. If going for a lesser position, now is not the time to highlight the fact that you were a CEO in your last job, or a rocket scientist.

• Re-write your profile so that it simply reflects the requirements of the position.
• Downplay job titles, for example, instead of stating you were a Sales Manager, just use the title Sales.
• Be selective about the information you use in your job descriptions so they match the requirements of the lesser job. So for example, if going for a simple sales role and your previous position was as a Sales Manager, focus on your experience in sales and the sales you achieved, rather than talking about initiating new management strategies.

At interview

Use the interview as an opportunity to further alleviate any concerns an employer might have:

• Highlight the benefits that you could bring to the organisation. For example, you could emphasise the money you will save them by using your skills and experience.
• Tell them, that you are not worried about the pay or responsibilities, but that you are after a work/life balance and are very enthusiastic about working for them.
• Offer to sign a fixed term contract to show them that you are serious about not leaving.

Conclusion

By alleviating employer’s concerns about being overqualified for a position and convincing them that you are a stayer – you can potentially become a ‘hot candidate’ for a position. After all you are offering them more for less, and that can be a very attractive proposition to any employer.