You would think that being overqualified would help you achieve a job much easier. However, with today’s employers this is not necessarily true. The fact is that many employers will not even consider an employee who is too qualified for the position. When a company is trying to hire someone to keep up with timetracking or other common office related tasks, they want an entry level employee. This can mean a serious blow to your morale; however do not become discouraged there are steps you can take to obtain the job you want.
There are many reasons that a hiring manager may not even consider hiring someone with too many qualifications:
- That you will be to “expensive” to bring on board.
- That you will leave when a better opportunity comes along.
- That you will become unsatisfied with the job that you applied for due to your over qualifications.
Use the following suggestions to ensure that you find a job that fits your skills, abilities and needs.
Apply for Jobs that Match your Qualifications
Why would you want to apply for a job where they do not want to hire you? A common misconception is that applying for a job beneath your qualifications is that it will be easier to obtain. This is untrue. Modern recruitment software uses keyword identification processes to find candidates that most closely match your skills and abilities. This means that you need to spend your time applying for jobs that can utilize all of the skills you have.
Take Note of the Salary Issue
If you address the salary you expect to earn and why you are willing to take less than you may be accustomed to, this will help the hiring manager understand your motives for applying. In your resume or your interview you need to make a point of the reasons you are applying for this particular job that you may be overqualified for. This may be that you are trying to decrease your responsibilities or find a balance between work and family life. It is important to make this clear to the hiring manager.
Make your Case
You have to convince the hiring manager why you want to work for them. This may mean that you take time to study the job description and specifically list the reasons that you are qualified for this position.
There are many reasons you may be interested in pursuing a job that is beneath your skills and abilities. The first step is to get past the recruitment software that the company uses to find qualified applicants. Once you have met the requirements of the recruitment software and achieve an interview, it is time to make it count and obtain the job that you may be overqualified for by using the tips found here.
