What to Do When You're Labeled 'Overqualified'

Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker's compensation commissioner for South Carolina. She's a recent law school graduate and has experience in journalism, marketing and education. For the past few years during her job search, she's been told -- in not so many words -- that she's overqualified.

"Sometimes the opposition is in the tone of voice rather than the actual wording of the questions and comments," Martschink says. "An employer may say something like, 'we are hoping to find someone who will make a career here' or 'why would you want this job after doing such-and-such?' Another type of question has to do with whether I could be a team player after being in such leadership positions."

How does Martschink respond to such opposition? Plain and simple:

"If I weren't willing to do the work, I wouldn't be applying for the job," she says.

Geoff Tucker, who has a college degree and six years experience in his field, has faced opposition more than once during his job search. In one interview, the hiring manager started with, "We both know you're overqualified," and but went on to say she wanted to do a "gut check " to determine if Tucker would be OK with the tasks he'd be handing.

"In other words, she wanted to see if I was OK with being versatile to the point of helping clean around the office and refill the toilet paper in the bathroom," Tucker says. "I affirmed that I do not have an issue with doing tasks that maybe I haven't had to do in a while. I am not that egocentric and I don't regard these tasks as 'below me.'"

Many job seekers wonder how being qualified can be a bad thing, but it's a catch-22 that many job seekers face today. They can't get hired for positions relevant to their experience so they apply for jobs at lower levels. The problem is that they can't get hired for those positions, either, because they're overqualified.

"Employers are in the cat-bird seat," says Kathryn Sollman, co-founder and managing partner of the Women at Work Network. "The high volume of job seekers makes it possible for employers to hold out for their ideal candidates. You're not an ideal candidate if you have held a more senior position in the past; employers assume you will leave as soon as you find something at your normal level."

What's the deal?

Assuming you'll jump ship when the economy turns around is only one of the many objections employers have to hiring overqualified candidates. For one thing, many job seekers assume that their high credentials automatically mean they are skilled for a more junior job. But, Sollman says, just because a position is less senior than the one you previously held, does not mean that you have the appropriate skills to succeed in that role.

"Take an administrative position, for example. Many mid- to senior-level job seekers haven't done anything remotely administrative for years," she says.

Right or wrong, other assumptions hiring managers might have about hiring overqualified candidates include:

· You'll be bored and unmotivated

· The salary will be too low for you

· You'll be unhappy

· You'll leave the minute something better comes along

· You could possibly steal his/her job

· You won't be able to step down from a leadership role

Hiring managers only take overqualified candidates seriously if they are convincing about a valid reason they want to take a more junior-level job, Sollmon says.

The best reason is saying you have decided that you don't want to work crazy schedules and are interested in a better work/life balance, she says. If that's the truth and you're truly not looking over your shoulder for a senior-level job, employers will consider you for a more junior job.

Tucker says the doubt he gets from hiring managers regarding his experience is unfair.

"They should consider my above-par qualifications as a way to gain additional capabilities on their staff and team. I will bring just as much passion to this role as I would any other," he says. "I would not apply for a job if it weren't a fit for me. It's about the work I'm doing and the contributions I'm making that matter."

If you're being told you're overqualified during your job search, here are seven ways to convince your interviewer otherwise:

1. Admit that you're worried, too

Tell the hiring manager that you are also concerned that it might not be a fit, suggests Duncan Mathison, co-author of "The Truth about the Hidden Job Market." Promise that if at any point during the hiring process you feel the job appears too low or not one where you will bring the full engagement needed to excel in the position, you will withdraw your candidacy. Your willingness to walk away tells them you are motivated if you stay in the game.

2. Take salary off the table

Make it clear that you're flexible about salary and that your previous earnings are not relevant to your current job search.

"Tell the hiring manager that you work for both green dollars and personal satisfaction dollars," Sollman says. "Lately you've had a deficit in personal satisfaction dollars and you want a chance to try something new."

3. Put the issue out there

Ask the interviewer if he or she sees any positives or negatives to your candidacy based on your higher qualifications. Get the issue on the table so it can be addressed, Mathison suggests.

4. Use your accomplishments

"Tell the hiring manager that you're proud of your accomplishments and you have proven to yourself that you can perform at a more senior level," Sollman says. "Now you're not interested in chasing titles and promotion. You want to make a contribution at a compelling company."

5. Distance yourself from your higher qualifications

Be empathetic to those parts of the hiring manager's jobs -- indicate that you have a clearer understanding of what a manager needs from their people.

"For example, say you were a manager and are applying to an individual contributor job," Mathison says. "Tell the hiring manager that you are looking for a job that would give you more hands-on technical work and give you a break from the people management and corporate politics."

6. You want to learn

If you've held more senior positions at a different kind of company or in a different industry, tell the hiring manager that the best way to really learn about a new industry is from the bottom up, Sollman says.

7. Make a commitment

"Tell the employer that you know that job hopping is a major don't in the business world. Say that barring unforeseen circumstances, you are ready to make at least a two-year commitment to the company," Sollman suggests.

How to Cope When You Are Overqualified for a Job

Are you professionally overqualified for your job? Are you having trouble finding a job that fits like a glove? Have you settled for a job that has no relation whatsoever with your professional skills?

When you are professionally overqualified, there are usually lots of stressful issues, which have to be dealt with. You may be forced to adjust your entire life and mold it to fit your current situation. This can be very stressful, frustrating and can even lead to depression.

It is therefore important to equip yourself with some tips on how to cope during this period when you feel like you have been hit under the belt.

6 coping tips for overqualified you:

1. Talk to your boss.

You may have to schmooze to do this; you have to do what you have to do to get where you want to be. Don’t be shy about telling your boss or any other significant person in your organization about your other professional skills.

Let them know that you would be interested in applying for other positions within the company, which match your skills better. Ask your boss to let you know about suitable positions that are open. Inquire about policies relating to internal candidates seeking to fill vacant positions within the company. Speak out…Mother luck may just smile on you!

2. Prepare to mentally re-adjust.

Life is tough as it is and being professionally overqualified means that you have to have the right mental attitude to adjust to your situation.

Mentally re-adjusting involves accepting your position and planning how to deal with it. You have to be prepared to not only deal with being a direct report to a boss who may be less qualified than you but also a leaner paycheck and a bruised ego.

You may also have to trim your resume and down play your qualifications to suit your current job description. The ability to maintain a positive attitude will do so much for you in terms of preserving your sanity. It never hurt anyone to look on the bright side.

3. Search for a more suitable job.

One good thing about being overqualified is that there are always other options available. Mount an aggressive job search, update your resume and keep all your relevant job related documents ready.

Begin to research your industry while look at current job listings on the Internet. Check for job openings posted in the classified section of your local newspaper and contact temporary employment agencies that hire professionals.

Be aggressive about your job search. Find out what additional skills employers are looking for and what you need to do to get a cutting edge over the rest of the job seekers in your field. Network with people who can give you leads about job availabilities in the sectors that interest you. Don’t give up.

4. Don’t be afraid to start fresh.

It is sometimes easier to get a clear perspective of what you really want to do when life is not going as smoothly as you expect. Take time to search your soul and take an inventory of what matters most in your life.

If you feel that you may have a better chance in another professional field, don’t be afraid to start a new. New beginnings can be a welcome relief especially if your current skills are standing in the way of better opportunities.

It’s never too late to start a fresh. Be prepared to adjust your life to new experiences and other opportunities

5. Join a professional association.

Volunteer or seek membership in a professional association that addresses issues in your field of expertise. This will keep you abreast of the latest developments in your field and keep you intellectually challenged.

Making contributions to the association and being actively involved in its activities will give you a chance to indirectly pursue what you are qualified to do. It will also give you a chance to meet and network with stakeholders who may widen your chances of getting hired in your preferred field.

6. Consider it a learning experience.

There are many lessons to learn from being professionally overqualified. Apart from acquiring new job skills, you may discover that you have strengths in other fields which your never knew you had.

Sometimes it takes hardship for the best attributes we have to surface. This may also be an opportunity to view things from another perspective.