One of the most frustrating moments a job applicant can experience is when they realize they didn’t get the job they wanted because they are, well, too good for the job. The professional term, Overqualified, describes a situation where the required skills for a certain position are lower than those of the candidate. It’s the moment when you tell yourself, “Why did I listen to Grandma and go for a fast-track Master’s degree” – and seriously, the issue of being overqualified is a common matter, and to succeed in navigating the competitive job market, it’s worth understanding the phenomenon.
What are employers afraid of?
Alongside the “wanted” ads in the newspaper, and in modern translation, the Jobs category on LinkedIn, which portrays an economy hungry for skilled, professional workers with relevant education and previous experience, other pages also publish reports on the high unemployment rates among academics or on thousands of tech workers who were let go at ages 45-50 and are struggling to return to the workforce.
The reasons for unemployment can be varied, and in any case, experienced workers find that the time between jobs lengthens as they gain experience. “Many employers and recruiters are reluctant to hire overqualified candidates for fear that they will quickly exhaust their role, get bored, and even become frustrated, and as such, will not fit the job. It’s possible that these workers will continue to look for a job and at the first opportunity that comes their way, they will leave and move elsewhere,” explains Hani Yaakov, VP of Manpower Professional.
In addition to the fear of rapid exhaustion that would impair performance and could negatively affect the organizational atmosphere, in the world of work, more skills mean higher wages, and rightly so. “Employers estimate that candidates with high qualifications will also want higher salaries commensurate with their skills, and if there is no justification for this in a certain position, then from the employer’s point of view, there is no reason to pay for it,” adds Hani Yaakov. Beyond the salary level, employers fear that even if the candidate settles for a salary lower than their expectations, this may lead to frustration and affect performance and motivation in the long run.
How not to fall into the Overqualified category?
Whether you are at an advanced stage in your career or looking for a junior position, recognizing the phenomenon and understanding the employer’s perspective can help you overcome the challenge of being overqualified. Found a position you want? Congratulations. Hani Yaakov has a few recommendations and tips to help you avoid the traps:
- Focus on what’s essential and relevant in your resume: We know, it’s tempting to add all the training, degrees, projects, and volunteer work since your inception to your resume. Well, it’s better not to. Focus on the skills required for the job and do not detail experience and skills in areas beyond the job’s requirements.
- Attach a cover letter to your resume: A little personal touch never hurt anyone. Attach a short letter to your resume explaining why you are interested in the position and why the employer should hire you. It’s advisable to address why you are interested in a position that, on the surface, is below your abilities.
- Prepare a well-thought-out answer to the overqualified question: A good answer will emphasize how your professional experience will contribute to advancing the company, and how the company will benefit more from your high skills.
- Lower your salary expectations: Show the employer that you are willing to settle for a salary lower than what you earned so far, at least for a limited time, or ask to convert the salary into other benefits.
- Demonstrate motivation for the position and loyalty to the workplace: Express your willingness for long-term commitment, emphasize to the interviewer the advantages and new opportunities that the intended position holds for you, and mention personal qualities like high loyalty, basic love for the profession, etc.
- Market your experience as an advantage: Emphasize that your experience saves the organization resources in the learning period and that your contribution to the company begins from your first day at work.
- Use employment agencies: Assistance in writing resumes, preparation for job interviews, participation in job search workshops, expanding job search resources, access to hidden markets and jobs that are not advertised in the media, and more – all these will increase your chances of returning and integrating into the job market, despite and thanks to your multiple skills.
The Bottom Line
You studied for a Bachelor’s degree, worked, and gained experience, and perhaps even continued to a Master’s degree and acquired more tools. Now that you are looking for a job, an unexpected and even frustrating obstacle stands in your way: you are too qualified. In a competitive job market, the skills that are advantages that differentiate one candidate from others can sometimes be the disadvantages that cause another candidate to be rejected.
To cope with the overqualified challenge, it’s important to understand the employers’ concerns and during the job selection process, address those concerns, dispel them, and good luck in the new position. In any case, sometimes, getting a little help from friends like employment agencies is worth the peace of mind and, of course, the success in getting the job.