"You're overqualified."
Few things are more frustrating for older job seekers than being told that you are overqualified.
You’ve spent years honing your skills, and now it’s being used as a way to eliminate you? That’s demoralizing.
The first thing necessary to fight against this judgement is to understand what they are really saying when they call you “overqualified.”
These are the most common reasons for using this word to describe you:
You’re too expensive.
They think you will require more compensation than they are willing to provide, and that they can hire someone with less experience for less money.You will get bored and leave.
This is a common perception if they think you are just looking for any job, and have little enthusiasm for the work they need you to do.You can’t be managed.
If you’re older, and especially if you have management experience but the job isn’t in management, they might think you won’t be willing to take orders from a younger manager.You don’t understand the job.
They might think you don’t understand that the job isn’t at the level you are accustomed to.You’re too old.
At the most basic level, “overqualified” can simply be code for “old,” if they don’t think someone your age will fit in with their team.
So how do you fight against these assumptions? Here are some concrete ideas if you’re concerned that being called “overqualified” is in the mix.
Customize your resume.
If you’re an older worker with lots of different experience, make sure only the relevant experience for this position is highlighted on your resume.Be flexible on compensation.
Make sure you know what they are offering and if that works for you. If you are looking for more, it’s possible that they might consider other benefits like flexible hours or working from home.Show enthusiasm for the job.
It’s important to demonstrate to the employer that you are excited about the opportunity, and not just looking for any job to tide you over. Emphasize your assets to their team.Get it out in the open.
Be honest about how you might differ from other applicants. Don’t try to hide anything. Get them to talk about their concerns so you can counter them.Be willing to start at a lower level.
If the job isn’t at the level you have been previously, be prepared to explain why that works for you: less stress, pivoting to a new career, etc.
As with most things involving job hunting, avoiding the “overqualified” label comes down to confidence and preparation. Being proactive and anticipating issues gives you a huge advantage. I believe in you.
On a personal note, thanks for sticking with me during this challenging time. It’s my intention to get back to my usual weekly schedule, starting with this issue.
I would love to hear your feedback on topics you would like me to cover. Please reply to this email or leave a comment telling me what you would like me to write about. Also, it would help a lot if you would share this content and let people know how it might benefit them.