Chris Sweigart from Atlanta’s local NBC affiliate station, 11 Alive, interviewed me for a piece that aired on the 6:00 pm newscast about how job seekers can address the issue of being considered “overqualified” for the job.

I suggested that it is important for job seekers to realize why employers are concerned about hiring “overqualified” applicants.

Some reasons:

- They worry the candidate will be “too expensive.”

- Concern the overqualified applicant will leave at the first sign of a better opportunity.

- A desire to avoid hiring a potential “grumpy Gus” or “sad Sally” if the job does not meet the candidate’s needs.

So, how should job seekers address these concerns?

Take salary off the table. Explain that, at this stage of your career, you recognize there are more important things than a high salary. Identify positives, such as work-life balance (if appropriate), the opportunity to work for an organization with a good reputation and/or with a set of talented colleagues. Give good reasons for wanting the job that don’t make you sound desperate for a paycheck.

Make a time commitment. Offer to stay for one or two years – make it clear that this job is a destination, not a jumping off point for you.

Make a convincing case for why the job is a good match. The onus is on the candidate to point out what skills and tasks involved in the job resonate with him or her and explain why those are a good fit. The fact is, while job seekers might have been doing higher level, high powered jobs with a lot of responsibility, those tasks may not necessarily be the things they really enjoy doing. Make the case that this job, at this stage of your career, is what you know you’d like to do and convince the employer of that.

Watch the clip here:

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Unemployment in the state of Georgia is now at 10.7% and predicted to go even higher. If you are looking for a job, or thinking you should be, join me and Stephanie A. Lloyd of Radiant Veracity for a series of job search interventions. Save time, money and YOUR SANITY by learning optimum job hunting tips and tricks. Learn more about our program how you can be better at job seeking HERE.

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Comments

1. July 28th, 2009: Jess Says:
   

   This is timely advice for me. I have 10 years of experience in a field that has diminishing returns after only about three years of experience. I never find a job posting that specifies more than a few years of experience in what I do, and I’m pretty sure I’ve had no success in my job search partly because of this.

   I especially like your advice to call the job a destination. The problem is I can’t even get an interview during which to say all of this! I have to cram it all into my cover letter.
   Jess´s last blog ..“May I have a cup of coffee? I think I may still be a little drunk from last night.”

2. July 28th, 2009: Miriam Salpeter Says:
   

   Jess – I’m glad this post was useful. It is a tough position, and networking well may be the best answer for you (instead of applying for specific opportunities). Take a look at my posts under the “networking” tab for ideas!

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