So few jobs, so many applicants. Recruiters processing applications start eliminating resumes based on their own criteria. In industries where layoffs have been significant staffing professionals are less likely than usual to consider someone who doesn’t specifically meet their job requirements.
Job seekers who have been laid off and who possess great credentials or experience are looking hard for their next job. Many are perfectly willing to take a less challenging position and would be grateful for the job. An article in SHRM Staffing Management quoted a variety of employers on their views of “overqualified”. In particular the recruiter for a pharmaceutical company is looking for a precise fit. The recruiter views with suspicion someone who applies for a job beneath their qualifications. The candidate wouldn’t automatically be disqualified, but they definitely wouldn’t have an edge over others.
There are a lot of reasons for this view. The prevalent belief is that the candidate will keep looking for better opportunities and move on as soon as something opens up. Also the “overqualified” applicant may not be able to fit in as a regular employee after years of a leadership or executive position.
There is another view in this debate, however. First, the new talent strengthens the knowledge base of an organization, and might even shorten the orientation process if they are already familiar with the industry. Second, it is a signal to other employees that this is a good company to work for. Finally , there isn’t any guarantee that an overqualified person will leave sooner than the more appropriate candidate. One hiring professional believes that having a highly talented candidate for a short time is more valuable than a mediocre employee who stays on.
SO – for the “overqualified” job seeker, given the above issues, your task is to present yourself as willing to hang in there for the long term, and eager to work with this new company. Your ability to add a new perspective, balanced with the emphasis on wanting to do the job you are hired for, are the selling points that may get you a great opportunity. Everyone wants success.
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Ray Gulick
on Feb 4th, 2010
@ 10:40 am:
Good information for “over-qualified” people looking for a job. I think they face particularly difficult issues when trying to convince a prospective employer to give them a shot.
Just over 50
on Feb 25th, 2010
@ 9:25 pm:
Yes, it’s a good approach….but in that category myself I’m increasingly drawn to “downscaling” my life, finding a way to make a modest amount of income, and saying goodbye to the hectic rat race forever. I think many 50 somethings are just plain tired of “the game”. Life is too short… it’s no wonder that you see so many x-corporate types now living where they want to live and trying to make a few bucks off of life activities that they may have previously called hobbies or past times back when they were corporate drones.