By the Monster Career Coach
There may be times when you apply for a job that is right up your alley, only you have so much relevant experience that the employer might think that you are over-qualified.
In situations like these you will need to overcome possible objections and turn the tide in your favour. It helps to look at things from the viewpoint of the employer. Sometimes they are thrilled to find an applicant who can easily do the job – plus much more – and who will do so for the salary being offered. Then again...
Suppose you were making the hiring decision and it came down to two finalist candidates: one was overqualified but seemed very eager to accept the position, while the other was a suitable job seeker though they appeared to be “hungrier” (that is, less experienced and more anxious to be employed). Who would you rather invest the time and effort in hiring, training and integrating into your tightly-knit team? The following are some pro’s and con’s you’d probably consider.
Regarding the over-qualified candidate:
Pro’s (in their favour)
- Requires little if any training to hit the road running
- Has extensive, proven experience in their profession
- Knows how to get things done
Con’s (against them)
- Might get bored quickly
- Could leave at first opportunity to make more money if they’re under-employed
- May be more set in their ways and this could cause friction with the supervisor
Regarding the adequately-qualified candidate:
Pro’s (in their favour)
- Can do the work well enough at the salary level being offered
- Has some proven experience so is not a beginner
- Might be more appreciative of getting the job, and therefore be more loyal to you
Con’s (against them)
- There is a risk that the person will get overwhelmed or not be able to grow with the job
Two more things to consider as well. Working against the over-qualified candidate, there may be the lingering, though unspoken question: “Why are you settling for something that appears to be less than what you’re capable of?” And in favour of the adequately-qualified applicant, is the possibility that they’ll work harder, put in longer hours if necessary, and do whatever it takes to keep their job.
Focus On The Benefits Of Your Added Experience
Having said all of this, there are employers out there who will welcome your abundant skills and experience even if it seems that you might be over-qualified. The key is to position yourself in a way that appeals to those who are doing the hiring.
Highlight the upsides of being highly experienced, like how quickly you could be up and running productively. Emphasize that you are looking for a long-term fit and are happy to do the job at hand for however long it best suits the employer, and that you’ve already proven that you can grow with the job as required.
Also refer to your history of loyalty and strong performance at your previous jobs without necessarily always bucking for a quick promotion. In this way you’ll put a premium on stability and reduce some of the question marks that may otherwise arise.