How to Get a Job If You're Overqualified

For many individuals looking for a job in an economic downturn, they might seek new opportunities in positions that pay lower than what they previously earned. Some may pursue job leads for positions they are clearly overqualified for. Overcoming this stumbling block for a new position is difficult since omitting some information, such as your graduate degrees and years of experience, may be deemed unethical. No matter how old you are or what your previous title was, you can successfully get a job if you prepare well.

Instructions

1. Create a presentation about yourself that focuses on the job, not your qualifications that exceed the job's requirements. Write down what skills you have from your previous jobs that qualify you for this new opportunity. This will help you become more aware of skills that you can contribute and communicate these in the interview rather than mention your educational background. Tell them you are seeking an entry level job because you want to contribute to the company by using your hands-on practical and tactical skills that you gained in previous jobs.

2. Express your love for learning and your motivation to learn a new position. Your actions and thoughts must match what you are telling potential employers, and you have to believe first that the position will afford you many opportunities for learning. This new position, though lower than your previous position, will help you become more involved in operations directly and update your skills, which you may not be able to do in a managerial position.

3. Steer the discussion away from title and pay, during interviews, by acknowledging that you are looking for a job where you get to interact more with different kinds of coworkers from all levels. Tell your prospective employer that this new opportunity is aligned with your goal of working in a dynamic work environment. Mention that the work you will be doing is no less important than what you have done before as you will be directly supporting the company in this new role. In a management capacity, you may not have the same opportunities to interact with coworkers; however, with this new opportunity, you will be able to do important work by providing support to the established leadership in the company.

4. Emphasize the skills and experience you have in your resume that are directly related to the position you are pursuing. Even if you were in a managerial role and you are taking a step down to a customer sales position, emphasize how you interacted with customers in your previous job as well as your experience dealing with difficult people in your team. Tell your potential employer that you will be able to do an even better job because of your previous, managerial perspective.

5. Downplay your years of experience or graduate degree on the cover letter by focusing on skills you have that are valuable to the employer. Instead of explicitly saying that you have X amount of years of experience managing people, focus on giving specific examples where you were able to demonstrate skills, such as the ability to negotiate, communicate and adapt in multiple environments. For example, instead of saying, "I have 25+ years of experience," you can refocus this by starting with, "Throughout my career, I have been able to adapt to fast-paced environments" or "In my most recent role, I was responsible for negotiatiing."

References

• Market Watch: Tips to Land a Job if You're Overqualified
• The Ladders: Getting a Job If You're Overqualified
• CNN: What To Do When You're Labeled "Overqualified'

Resources

• WorkForce50: Job Search Resources for the Overqualified
• Prime CB
• QuintCareers: Strategies for Older Workers