How to Explain Interest in a Job That You Are Overqualified For

If you are overqualified, expressing interest in the job will remove many of the employer's concerns.

Finding a job in the current economy can be difficult for recent graduates and seasoned professionals. As a person trying to start a career, you may find that jobs in your field require experience, but you cannot get that experience without a job. If you have experience, jobs in your field may be scarce. But do not be discouraged. Getting a job is often about promoting your characteristics. Skills can be learned through training, but a positive attitude, confidence and social skills cannot be taught. If you handle the interview carefully and express interest, you will succeed.

Things You'll Need

• Resume

Instructions

1. Research the company. Regardless of the job, taking half an hour to read about the organization online or in a publication shows the employer that you are interested, even if you are overqualified.

2. Bring a resume. You will have a reference in front of you of your qualifications and experience, rather than having to remember them under pressure.

3. Stay calm. Do not assume you will not get the job. Stay positive, and remind yourself that you are not alone. Many candidates are in your exact situation.

4. Acknowledge your qualifications. A serious mistake is downplaying your knowledge, skills and experience. Many employers will be more impressed by an overqualified candidate. Additionally, if you do not dilute your experience, the employer will see that you are interested, in spite of your expertise.

5. Do not express any expectations of a promotion. If you go into the interview indicating that you plan on getting the job and advancing quickly, the interviewer will see that you are not interested in the job at all but looking for an easy way into the company. You are being interviewed for the job in question, so that is the job you should show interest in. Advancement will come in time.

6. Highlight any long-term positions you held in the past. A major concern for managers is that overqualified candidates will quit as soon as a better position opens up. If you show an employer that you do not hop from job to job, it will reaffirm your interest in the position and dispel fears of turnover.

7. Assure the employer that you appreciate any job and take pride in your work. If you show that you give 100 percent in all your employment positions, the employer will see that you are interested.

References

• Monster.com; How to Answer Key Interview Questions When You're Overqualified; John Rossheim