The “overqualified” roadblock
You’re looking for a sidestep - a step back – a pivot – a skills transfer – a new industry - a new direction, chances are you have heard the dreaded line “you’re overqualified” Or maybe you’re not even getting past the application stage.
It’s so frustrating, I know.
You’ve carefully considered your skills, aligned your aspirations, and outlined your new career direction. You’ve built the courage to take the leap, worked hard to build your resume, started applying and then …
the OVERQUALIFIED ROADBLOCK!
You find yourself being rejected and not even getting a look in.
Being “overqualified” typically means you have skills or experience above and beyond what is required for the advertised position. When prospective employers review a CV with a higher level of experience and or higher qualifications, they may hesitate to proceed. Hiring managers often have limited time and are dealing with mass applications leading to CVs being taken at face value.
Rejecting the “overqualified” happens mainly because hiring managers are unaware of the applicants’ motives. For employers hiring efforts (time & energy) must be efficient. Here are some of the fears/concerns that hiring managers experience when they are presented with an overqualified candidate:
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Fear of turnover – “only taking this role because they couldn’t get the one they actually wanted.”
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They’ll be bored – “the applicant is going to leave as the role won’t be engaging enough.”
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Not following direction – “due to experience this applicant is probably going to want to dictate the way we operate, when we just need them to work with and alongside the team.”
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Unrealistic salary expectations – “Your level of experience is likely associated with a higher salary; a lot of employers will talk about pay parity and will be worried about an overqualified employee requesting more than what is on offer”
So, how do you avoid the roadblock?
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Highlight relevant experience.
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Remove unnecessary information.
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Emphasize direction in the summary section.
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Speak simply.
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Explain in the cover letter.
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Engage with an employment expert.
Highlight relevant experience
Consider any relevant experiences by discussing transferable skills to highlight why your application is relevant. Link wording to the advertised role.
Remove unnecessary information
Some things are better left unsaid. When you're “overqualified”, certain details might distract from your goal of getting an interview. You may want to leave off information like advanced credentials that are not relevant to the job and dates of education.
Emphasize in the summary section
The summary section is your chance. It’s your answer to their why! Offer a brief explanation of who you are and what you're applying for. Introduce yourself and provide a quick summary/reasoning/motivation for applying for this particular position. Links to the role are a must here.
Speak simply
Use simple language that's engaging. List the basics of your relevant expertise in a way that gets to the point. Clear and concise information will help guide the hiring manager through your resume quickly and leave a good impression. Use similar wording to the job advert.
Explain in the cover letter
The cover letter is a great platform to align your motivators, transferable skills and a brief why you are applying for roles in this space. While you would never want to use the word "overqualified”, you can address your extensive experience with a pertinent angle.
Engage with an employment expert
Utilising a recruitment supplier can help to break down the overqualified barrier. Consultants often have the ear of the hiring managers and can present your application with a greater relevancy than just what is within your CV.
Job seeking can bring all kinds of weather so try not to let the experience derail your momentum; keep looking for a job and company that will value your skillset.
Always remember a minor setback is a setup for a major comeback