How to Handle Youre Overqualified in Interviews

How to Handle Youre Overqualified in InterviewsHow to Handle Youre Overqualified in InterviewsHow to get the job youre too experienced for. It seems I continually hear this complaint, They arent hiring me because Im overqualified. One man e-mailed me about this problemI have a lot of incredible extracurricular professional activities, publishing expertise, project management experience, board leadership skills, etc. I have an MBA, and am a CPA. All of this info is on my resume because it sets me apart. However, I am concerned that people are viewing me as overqualified for lower-level jobs and eliminating me. Yet, the jobs I am truly qualified for are fairly high up and there are only a handful of openings. HelpSo what should you do if youre credentialed withgood experience and advanced education, are looking to become re-employed and are even willing to take a lower-level ort? Here are a few tipsDont be tempted to Dumb DownThis strategy moves your career backward. You typically end up frustrated, notlage hired or worse - you find a new job you cant wait to move out of. Most employers today actually want you working at your highest ability level since productivity is key to everyones success. They also want to retain you past the many months it takes to train you for the job, so you can begin to make a contribution to the company.Do some soul searching and savvy preparation.Acknowledge that employers are reluctant to hire a person who is overqualified because they think the person is unlikely to be happy, wont stay long, might want the interviewers job or may expect fast promotion. Remember that you can be threatening to the interviewer, especially if you are truly suited for the interviewers job He may think you arent seriously interested in doing the job for which youre being hired - nor do employers want someone whos burned out or sees the job as an easy paycheck.Examine why you want the position. I need a job is not a response that will endear you to him. You must use your communication skills to convince him why a demotion is a good option. You must create a reasonable explanation. Try thisMy current position as Regional Sales Manager requires me to cover 14 states, and the job had grown into 15 nights of travel per month. This has become an increasingly difficult sacrifice for my family. I have decided to seek a major accounts-rep position that allows me to focus on my strengths - selling, sustaining top-notch client relationships and up-selling - but also allows me to go home most evenings. This is not an option at my current job. It requires a lot of out-of-town travel to do the job, which I am no longer willing to do. I believe my extensive marketing and sales skills would greatly benefit your organization in a positive way. I see this as a win/win situation for both of us. Dont show desperation.You may feel it, but it will work against your getting hired if you show how frantic you are to get a job. Too often an executive sa ys, Ill start at any job just to get my foot in the door. That wont work - its an outdated strategy. Being willing to take any job often makes the interviewer disqualify you. She needs a competent person to perform the specific job shes hiring for.So, you must show not only that you can do it but also that you want to do it. You can offer some advantages, gained from your experience, such as My ability to solve problems and train others would be a major plus in the position. Many employers are slow to hire, yet pay well when they select someone for the position, so patience is essential.Look harder for positions for which you are qualified.Employers want a good fit and an individual who delivers results. Customize every cover letter you write and tweak your resume to match the opportunity. Be sure to address the major needs required and demonstrate results youve achieved in line with the level requested. A former CEO at a smaller company might only be a midlevel executive at a larg er organization, so be clear as to how youre leveraging past experience and leadership to help a potential employer excel.Networking is key to hearing about and landing a new job.Ask colleagues, friends, former employees, college alumni, and other contacts for referrals to new people who can help you uncover unadvertised positions. An introduction to a senior executive can open new doors and even create a job when no advertised one was available. Department of Labor statistics reveal that 63 percent of all jobs last year were found through contacts, so network, network, NETWORK