“Overqualified”: Unfit for the Job or THE Value-Added Candidate?

I’m hearing the phrase “They say I’m overqualified” from a number of my job-seeking clients in my career transition/outplacement practice. I’d like to address this issue from the perspectives of the potential employer and the job seeker.

Employers: “Qualified versus Overqualified”

Employers develop a profile of the “Ideal Candidate” for a job by deciding what characteristics a person possesses to match the needs of the position. These traits can be expressed in skills, knowledge, education, responsibilities and length of experience. Throw in other characteristics such as personality, management style and communication skills, and a profile emerges that prospective employers use to consider the candidates who apply for the job.

The “Overqualified” label comes into play when a candidate appears to have too much of one or more traits: too many years of experience, too much education or a higher level of responsibility. Often these are accompanied by being too highly paid. All these indicate a potential mismatch between the candidate and the job.

An employer may have concerns that the job will not be challenging enough for an “Overqualified” candidate and that they’ll leave it for another position in a short period of time.

Job Seekers: “But I’m More Than Perfect for the Job”

It is the job seeker’s responsibility to communicate a passion for the duties of the job and the high level of satisfaction that is gained by doing a job well. It can be a tough sell for candidates to persuade an employer that they are interested in a reduced level of responsibilities than existed in their previous job and that they won’t bolt to a new one when it becomes available.

This message must be conveyed effectively to encourage an employer to consider the “Overqualified” job seeker, and the best way to achieve that is for the candidate to get an introduction to the recruiters and decision-makers at the company by a network contact.

The power of developing referral sources and receiving introductions to prospective employers is most valuable to the “Overqualified” candidate. Employers should take advantage of such a referral and seriously consider the applicant. After all, an “Overqualified” candidate may provide “More for the money” if their passions and ambitions are a match for the position. How’s that for a value proposition?

5 Tips for Successful Job Hunting in a Difficult Economy

With the grim economic news these days, I don't know about you, but I hate picking up the morning newspaper, checking my daily online alerts about the job market and viewing the lead stories on the web and TV news outlets because they are almost always about the bad economy.

While the news is certainly not a pick-me-up in instilling confidence about the state of the job market, we need to realize that companies are still hiring. Even companies that are laying off employees in some departments and functions are still looking for talent to fill other positions. I am urging my career transition clients to pick up the pace of their job searches.

Here are 5 Tips for Successful Job Hunting in a Difficult Economy:

1.) Develop and Implement a Strategic Action Plan
The need to plan an effective job search campaign is always important, and in difficult economic times it is vital to develop a strategy for finding the job that's right for you. Here are the steps of a Strategic Career Plan:
• Assess your talents and strengths and prioritize them in terms of what are most favorable to you
• Research the job marketplace and identify opportunities that align with your talents and interests
• Develop a marketing campaign, including written communications (resume, cover letters, biography, website) and verbal communications (introductions, interviewing) that broadcasts your personal employment “Brand”
• Identify and utilize all the avenues available to identify job leads including Internet job boards, company websites, recruiters, job fairs, referral sources and direct research and contact with companies
• Set realistic goals on a daily and weekly basis and follow-up on all leads

2.) Keep a Confident Attitude and Strive to Build and Maintain Momentum
By developing a plan and sticking to it, you are setting yourself apart from a lot of people who have lost confidence and are not maintaining a high level of job search activity. This results in less competition for you, so take positive advantage of this and increase your lead development.

3.) Consider Temporary, Part-time and Project Opportunities
Even though they may be looking to fill less full-time positions, companies may increase their need for workers to fill temporary assignments, part-time positions and project-oriented roles. While these may not be the best match for your needs and interests, they can provide you with cash-flow while you continue to look for full-time opportunities. Also, these contingency positions can turn into full-time jobs down the road.

4.) Increase your Networking to Expand Information and Job Referral Sources
Especially in difficult economic times, word-of-mouth job searching can produce quick and effective results. Pull out all the stops to develop and maintain referral sources not only for job leads but to get introduced to people in companies you are interested in working for and individuals who can provide vital information on trends affecting your field, function and industry.

5.) Don't Go It Alone: Seek Support
The job hunt is an emotional roller coaster to begin with, and it is much more stressful in a challenging economy. Seek both emotional and professional support from those around you. Take advantage of job search support groups offered by a number of non-profit organizations and government agencies. Utilize the expertise of a career coach to bring efficiencies to your search. Don't operate in a vacuum. There are many sources of support ready to assist you in developing a strategic plan for continued career success. Start by checking out my website, www.WorkingMyWay.com .