How to Act When You Are Overqualified for the Role

Some hiring managers will feel nervous when they see that a candidate is overqualified for the role. They fear that you will leave quickly, you may become bored, you will likely be challenging to manage, and you will probably be dissatisfied with the salary. Moulding younger and more impressionable talent into your own image is far more enjoyable. Frankly, that is a lazy and unambitious attitude.

Thankfully, most hiring managers are more open-minded and have enough experience to understand that there are often genuine reasons for taking a role that is “beneath you.” You will likely get an invite to interview, but you still need to assuage their valid concerns.

If you are genuinely keen on the role, consider the following nine considerations. The dynamics of an interview when you are overqualified for the role are different. You shouldn’t be overly apologetic about your surplus of experience. It should be turned into a benefit where possible. Be honest about your intentions and keep any explanations simple.

Overqualified for the role? Does it matter?

Address the issue directly. It will be evident from your CV that you possess more experience than most other candidates. While you might not choose to mention the word “overqualified” as this carries certain connotations, you should be clear that you have thought through your application and view your surplus of experience as a benefit.

Demonstrate your commitment. A hiring manager will naturally worry that you will use the position as a stepping-stone to something better. Emphasise your desire for the job and your ability to do it (which won’t be in doubt). Talk about your long-term ambitions for the role and show that your impact could be more significant than the limited job description.

Don’t act like you are better than the role. Employers will be looking for any hint of arrogance that could cause waves with colleagues or partners. Be humble if the hiring manager mentions your outstanding experience. Adopt the attitude that you are simply coming to do your best. It will harm your chances if you act like they are lucky to have you.

Be flexible on potential remuneration. Salary is another sticking point for an over-qualified candidate. We all want to feel that we are paid what we deserve. Show that you are happy with the remuneration on offer. There may be other attractive aspects of the role alongside the remuneration, so make sure that you mention them in the same breath.

Benefits of being overqualified

Sell the benefits of your experience. While the hiring manager will simply want you to do the best possible job within the set parameters of the job description, it cannot hurt to hint at the other benefits of hiring someone with such experience. If they believe your motivations for joining, it would be remiss not to explain how you can over-deliver.

Counter any common assumptions. While you might not wish to come out with the counter sales pitch in the first minutes of the interview, you must address all the hidden assumptions that might be left unsaid. The hiring manager might think that something is wrong with you. Show them that they have nothing to worry about.

Be transparent about your motivations. Sharing personal motivations is often the best way to reach out to a hiring manager and allow them to empathise with your situation. While you might not wish to share the intimate details, mentioning young children, changing life priorities or maybe a wish to switch to a permanent role will be enough. Be honest.

Simple selling

Keep it simple when you sell your story. It is easy to become obsessed with addressing your over-qualification when you try to get inside an interviewer’s head. This may result in telling an overly intricate story and spending too much time addressing the issue than is required. Keep your explanations simple and stick with the most potent examples.

Try to address much of the above in your CV and cover letter. It is sadly the case that some overqualified applicants may not even get to the interview stage. While you should not go over the top, it is worth addressing some many of the above considerations in your CV and cover letter. Cover letters, in particular, allow you to explore personal motivations.

As with any role, don’t get discouraged if you are unsuccessful a few times. The fact that you are overqualified for the role may not have been the reason behind your rejection. 

Keep believing in your reasons for applying for each role. While you might consider applying for slightly more suited positions to your ability, don’t dismiss the more junior roles if they fit your aspirations and life situation. 

You might be too experienced but personal chemistry with your future boss counts for a lot.

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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists. 

Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).