How to Overcome Being "Overqualified"
If you're really good at something, it can often be difficult to find a job that accurately reflects your skills. It might seem like life is just handing out lemons. But there are ways to get around being seen as overqualified and finding work that's the right fit for your skillset, if you're willing to put in some work.
Is your résumé under-cut by the words "overqualified"?
I got this question a few times recently and I thought it was important for me to address in a blog post, as I think it can be a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Here are the questions I received:
"Hi! How long would you recommend someone hold out of their job search until they're less overqualified?"
"I do have experience and training in corporate IT, but my current job title is technically 'senior systems analyst' with no programming or software development experience. I tried to apply and was rejected because they said I was overqualified. I was wondering if there were ways I could make myself less overqualified."
"I'm currently seeking a job as a Senior Software Developer and a lot of the jobs I'm applying to are stating that I am overqualified for that position. This is discouraging me as I don't think anyone would hire me for such a position. How can I decrease the chances of being considered overqualified?"
My responses:
First, let's go back to what "overqualified" really means . What you're really saying is "we think your salary is too high for this position, so you should apply."
For example, you might be an experienced sales professional with 5 years of experience selling software to small businesses. When you apply for a sales position selling software to small businesses, the hiring manager may consider you overqualified because your salary expectations are higher than the market rate for someone with two years of software sales experience.
But what's really going on here? You're applying for a lower skill level job with lower salary expectations. The company can't hire you at your current salary level, so they'll reject you because they think you're too expensive.
That's why when someone says "you're overqualified" or "we think your salary is too high," what they really mean is " we aren't willing to pay you what you want. You're too expensive." It's not because you have more experience.
The good news is that there are no rules about how qualified you need to be for a job. Many employers will negotiate salary for positions that are under- or over-qualified for someone with your skills.
Another common thing people say is "you'll get a better offer somewhere else, so why not wait it out?" Or, "they may realize they were wrong and change their mind down the road."
As I mentioned before, this is self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe that everyone else is going to pay you what they think you're worth, the chances of getting hired go way down. And, even if you do get a job offer from someone else (which is unlikely), by waiting it out, you're not leaving a lot of options open for when that job offer does come through.
So how do you answer those questions?
First, we have to tackle the "you should hold out" question. The best investment you can make in your job search is to focus on one skill and one area of expertise. If your goal is to be invited back for an interview at the next level of sales and your skillset includes all things software sales, then working on skills related to selling software can make you more valuable than someone with 2 years of experience who's also in sales.
Second, I always suggest that job seekers work on their "weaknesses" before they focus on things they are really good at. I think you should focus your efforts on the areas of your skills that are the most difficult to market and sell. For example, if you're an amazing project manager and a lousy salesperson, you should start by improving your sales skills before focusing on project management.
If you find yourself saying "I'm overqualified for this job" or "I'm too expensive," it's probably because of a mismatch between what you want to do and the skills required for most jobs in your field. Try to make the job more close to what you want. That will help you narrow down your search so that when you do want something, it's a good fit.
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, please post them in the comments section and I'll add them to the list above.
October 21, 2016 at 9:31 AM
This is one of those discussions that has gone on for years (or decades) and continues today. As someone who has worked in HR for many years and with hundreds of applicants over my career...
What you are asking is an impossible task. Even if you could figure out how to quantify "overqualification" and "below threshold," at some point, a company will say no because of something that is out of your control such as not getting the exact right person, cost, etc. I say this because I have had people who are overqualified and not get a single interview even though they thought they had a good shot.
That being said...
I don't know what else to say other than it is indeed possible if you apply yourself and learn those skills that do not match up with the position you want. I'm trying to think of the analogy that one of my bosses used to use..."if you want to be a great boxer, you better spend time in the gym working on your jabs and your left hooks." You have to be willing to pay your dues. On the other hand, I'm also a big believer in things always working out for the best. I have seen talented people get promoted over "less" qualified folks because their boss just didn't like them personally.
I know that isn't very useful...sorry! I wish there was something else I could say.
October 21, 2016 at 10:12 PM
Overqualified is subjective and largely defined by an employer's budget restraints - usually around salary. If the job is outside your field of experience, it's likely due to budget restraints and you will likely not be considered. If the job is within your field of experience but you think you are overqualified, you may still not be considered if your salary expectations are much higher than the company can typically pay. In my experience, most HR pros use salary as a way to screen applicants - if someone's salary requirements are significantly higher than what we need to pay, I'm going to pass on them and try someone else who lowers my salary requirements significantly. However, there's always that one time where a boss overrules me or some other time where desperate needs outweigh all else.
Conclusion - Unless you have a "Hey! I'm worth more than what you're willing to pay" attitude, try to be realistic about your expectations.
October 21, 2016 at 10:17 PM
If you are unemployed don't expect a job offer. You have to make yourself valuable by getting experience, become more marketable if you want a job interview and by being more professional.
October 22, 2016 at 6:39 AM
I am also an HR professional. I don't think the term overqualified is common anymore but it still happens so that's why I mention it.