The long lasting, never ending debate about being overqualified! It seems silly; you get all these qualifications to advance yourself and to make yourself more ‘hireable’, however it can actually do the opposite!
See some reasons about why hiring managers may deem you to be overqualified.
Employer Concerned with not being able to pay you as much as you would like.
Employers often think that with all of your qualifications comes a large salary expectation. If that expectations is perceived to be too high and out of their budget range, you are deemed overqualified.
Concerns you will be bored and unwilling to do tasks beneath you.
Many employers are concerned that you will become bored and find the job too easy and unchallenging, therefore bringing your mood down and having you wanting more and looking to move on. If you seem ‘overqualified’, you may be perceived to not want to touch minuet jobs beneath you, as you see your time as too valuable to do things like that. Employers want people who are willing to do any job, big or small!
Employer is concerned about younger people managing older people.
If your potential boss is quiet younger than yourself, they may be concerned with how you will respond to their authority. To be honest, age isn’t really a factor. If they are simply intimidated by you, you are immediately deemed ‘overqualified’.
Manager perceives you as internal competition.
Many bosses, managers & superiors are insecure in their roles. Especially when a candidate with many qualifications and experiences comes along who might deserve their role more than they do! Even if its not the job you are being considered for, you can be seen as a potential threat. If you’re a threat, you’re overqualified.
You’ll leave as soon as something better comes around
Hiring managers can find it hard to believe when someone wants a lower position than what the persons backgrounds may qualify them for. They just don’t get it! They can often correlate this with being desperate and assume you just want an income and will leave when something better comes along!
So now you understand what’s going on in hiring managers heads, heres how you can put your best foot forward!
Be Flexible on Salary
If you are asked about salary, emphasise to them that you are flexible! Never make it seem that the position is beneath you.
Tweak your Resume
If your previous roles are of superiority to the role you are applying for, a subtle way to address the ‘overqualified’ issue, is to list tasks you might otherwise assign to others. This will demonstrate that you are willing to do all tasks, big & small!
Emphasise your Longevity
As mentioned, employers often think that overqualified candidates are simply wanting an income and are waiting for something better to come along. Put their mind at ease and emphasise that you are in it for the long haul!
Hint at your network connections
If you know someone who works with the company or who knows the interviewer, let them know, use it to your advantage! The employer knowing someone on the inside can be the key ingredient to unlocking doors and them getting a better understanding of who you are.
Sell your advantages
If you see yourself as overqualified, you will come across as overqualified! Instead, see yourself as highly qualified with something extra to offer the company. Play on your advantages and how you are different.
