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Overcoming “Thanks, But You’re Overqualified"
Nothing can be more frustrating for the job seeker -- especially if you're unemployed -- to hear “You’re overqualified"! Isn't it a good thing to bring an employer so much? Who wouldn't want someone with your years of successes and achievements?
Or do they really mean something else when they say “Thanks, but you’re overqualified”? My experience with thousands of job seekers, constant discussions with recruiters, and also being on the interviewing side of the table has taught me that when employers tell a candidate "you're overqualified", they really mean any one or more of the following, whether or not they actually tell you:
- "You'll get bored and leave after we've spent time and money training you"
- "You'll expect too much money" (they won’t believe you if you say you’ll take less)
- "You'll boss us around with all your experience and knowledge"
- "You wouldn't be happy here after having been at MegaCorp"
- "You're too old" (questioning your pace, energy level, fitting in = age bias)
- "I just don't want to hire you"/other meaning
Don’t just sit there and take this, however old the interviewer is. Respond!
What You Can Do
1. Clarify and Neutralize
First, if you are in the interview when you're told, "I think you're overqualified", ask the employer right then to clarify the statement. You could say, in genuinely puzzled tones -- don't be defensive -- "Could you explain what you mean when you say 'You're overqualified'? I'm not clear on that".
Then they will get more specific, perhaps by saying "Oh, it's a crazy place around here, you wouldn't like it". But that’s still vague. So ask, “Do you mean it’s fast paced? If so, that’s exactly the kind of environment I love and do best in!” (assuming that’s true for you, of course). Then say, “Is that your only hesitation?” They may then give you another: “With all your achievements, you’d be bored.”
What they really mean: "You’ll be bored and leave after we’ve spent a lot of time and budget training you in how we do things here.” Some words to use here could be, “I can see why’d you’d think that. While I can bring the kind of thinking you’re looking for, I will be applying it to new problems to me, not the same problems as I did before. I’ve made my mistakes elsewhere, so would be productive here right away.”
You can then address that issue, whether it's the "real" one or not. One by one, through asking for clarification on each objection, you can knock down and neutralize the perceived obstacles to you fitting the job. And if you have a contact “inside”, have them vouch for you as well, on all those points.
2. Don’t “dumb down”: The temptation is to “dumb down” your resume and profile to make it fit the job description. AI makes this possible and very tempting, especially if you have been looking a while. But I don’t recommend it because a) You’re not being honest to the world about what you can do, and b) You’re not serving yourself well to show yourself as less able than you actually are – it may land you the job but will it be one where you grow and do even more of what you want?
Be sure to keep up with changes in your field, new tools, and new learning - and be sure to mention these during the interview.
3. Get “referred in” (you knew I’d say that)
Count on your network. People you know, who work for or know your target company, can introduce you (whether or not there’s an opening right now…down the road, there may be). In doing this, they can emphasize your relevant gifts and minimize any areas that aren’t as strong a match. If they are well thought of in the company, their credibility in nominating you will be high.
Don’t Forget: Right Now, You’re in Sales
You're "selling" yourself, and the "buyer"--the potential employer--has "objections" to buying. Neutralize them. Keeping this kind of action in mind will make your job search more successful.
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