Overcoming the overqualified label

At last! You’ve found a job that fits in with school hours, is close to home, and you could do it standing on your head, which is just the problem. 

It can be difficult to be considered for roles below your skill set when the hiring manager is thinking you might want their job in six months’ time. Here are a few tips to break beyond the perception that you’re overqualified for the job. 

Prevent early rejection

In your cover letter, provide the reasons why you would be a perfect fit for this role even though it may be a sideways or even backward step. If this job will give you more time for the kids and is closer to home, admit it.

Gary McAuliffe, a career coach and director of the Career Planning Centre in Rotorua, says you really do need to be convincing. "Articulate the reasons you want this job. Be able to defend your decision to apply for any job based on the motivators that drive your application."

A few days after sending your application, you may consider phoning to emphasise your eagerness for the role. Once you’ve secured a face-to-face meeting, you’ll need to be prepared for more questions about your situation. 

"Be ready to turn a possible negative response into a positive one," suggests McAuliffe. "When you feel the only honest answer is a negative, give the answer but immediately follow it with a positive. If asked about being overqualified, answer 'Yes, that's possible, but this could give your company a great opportunity to gain some new skills and knowledge that have not been available to you before'."

Should you be applying for a lower-level job?

With a lot of competition for jobs, many people are applying for any role possible. But you need to consider whether a lesser role is going to keep you satisfied, otherwise you will just end up unhappy and bored. However, if you are really keen, even though you’d be back at the bottom rung of the career chain, then perhaps it is the role for you.

It's surprising how often this happens, McAuliffe says. "Depending on your current work values, many people reach a stage in their career where income or status are no longer the main motivators. Other important values drive our job selection, such as altruism, less responsibility, or work-life balance. I have worked with former school principals who on retirement bought lawnmowing rounds – a complete change that suited their current work values or motivators but a big step down in status." 

Prove your purpose

So how exactly do you convince the interviewer that you don’t see the role as just a gap filler? 

"You may be able to negotiate on the basis that your skills and experience could drive more profit, which could justify paying you more than the employer was originally considering," McAuliffe suggests.

It may be hard work, but if you are open, honest and confident, your sincerity just might pay off.

Erin Boyle is an Auckland-based recruitment specialist with a passion for writing.