Getting feedback that you're overqualified for jobs? Here's what to do!

At first, being too qualified for a job sounds pretty great. You can tick off all the requirements on the job listing – and more – so a hiring manager should be thrilled to see your resume roll through, right?

Not exactly. Sometimes, being overqualified for a job can work against you. It may raise some red flags for recruiters and hiring managers, causing them to skip over your resume before you even get a chance to make your case in an interview.

Use this guide to help learn how to address being overqualified for a job.

Why is being overqualified for a job a problem?

When a recruiter or hiring manager tells you you're overqualified for a job, you may be left scratching your head: How can you be overqualified for a job? But the truth is, overqualified job candidates sometimes scare prospective employers. Here are a few reasons why:

  • They assume you'll ask for too much money. To avoid wasting everyone's time with an interview, employers may assume you have high salary expectations and are not willing to take a pay cut. They are inclined to put you in the “no” pile.

  • They're worried you're using the job as a temporary fix, especially if you've been laid off, until you find your ideal senior-level role. That means a high potential turnover, which costs companies time and money.

  • They're concerned you'll get bored since you won't be challenged with a lower-level role that's beneath your experience level.

  • They think you might have trouble doing certain tasks or taking direction from a manager, who could potentially have less experience than you, and this can make you feel like you don't belong.

At the end of the day, companies want to hire an employee who's likely to stick around and be satisfied, and if you're overqualified, they will assume you'll be leaving sooner rather than later.

Common signs you're overqualified for a job

Before you apply to job postings, it's important to understand if you're actually overqualified. That way, you can address these concerns in your resume and cover letter. Here's how to tell if you might be overqualified for a job:

  • If you tick every requirement on the job description, you're probably overqualified.

  • If you research industry-standard pay for the position and find that it pays less than what you're used to receiving, the chances are the job won't be right for you.

  • If you can breeze through any pre-interview skills assessments, or if any part of the interview process is super easy. The role may be beneath you.

  • If you leave the interview feeling like you absolutely nailed it, that's great – but it could also be a sign you're a little too comfortable.

This takes a bit of evaluation on your part, but if you take these steps, you can usually see more clearly if you're overqualified for a job.

Tips to address being overqualified for a job

If you're actually overqualified for a job but you're interested in the position, there are ways to get ahead of this objection by tweaking your resume, highlighting relevant qualifications, and leveraging a cover letter. Follow these simple steps:

1. Tailor your resume to the job

You should be doing this with every job application, but when you're overqualified, you have to take additional steps to properly tailor your resume to the job. If you're applying for a position that doesn't require you to lead others, but you rave on and on about your leadership skills, that'll probably be a non-starter for the hiring manager. 

Instead, you should highlight relevant skills in the Skills Section of your resume that are noted in the job description – “relevant” being the keyword here. This means you may have to remove things that are important to you from your resume. 

2. Rephrase some of your experience

As you go through your resume to remove skills that will put you in the “overqualified” pile, think about how many years of experience you have. If you're applying for a mid-management position but have two decades of senior leadership experience, that needs to be addressed. 

Some advice out there will tell you to delete specific higher-level positions from your resume, but there's no need to do that, especially if it's recent experience. Stay honest, simply tailoring your resume to better fit the job description if you are interested in the job. Your best bet is to focus on the last 10-15 years of your career and use verbiage you find in the job description to word your career achievements. 

3. Use your resume summary to your advantage

Long gone are the days of writing a resume objective statement (thank goodness), but your resume should still have a career summary where you highlight your relevant qualifications. Think of it as an elevator pitch – but for your resume. 

In the career summary of your resume, briefly explain why you're looking to transition to the role in which you're applying, especially if you're leaving a more senior-level role. For example, maybe being a manager has taken away from what you actually love doing – creating – so you want to get back into a role that allows you to flex your creative muscles daily instead.

4. Delete the dates on your education

Many times, there's no need to list the date you graduated from college or received your degrees. This not only opens you up to potential ageism, but it also gives the recruiter or hiring manager an opportunity to quickly write you off as overqualified. 

Just because you graduated 10 years ago doesn't mean you have to be in a senior-level position. It's best to just delete the dates on your education so no one can make a snap judgment.

5. Lean on your cover letter

Outside your resume, your cover letter is a great place to explain why you're interested in a job – even if you are potentially overqualified. Use your cover letter to fill in the blanks of your resume and explain your career arc, your experiences, and your qualifications. 

You don't necessarily need to say, “I know I'm overqualified,” but use this one-page letter to address any potential objections head-on. Showing awareness of your overqualification up front will ease some of the employer's apprehensions. 

Continue the conversation in your interview

How to answer, “Are you overqualified for this job?”

If you're able to effectively address being overqualified for a job in the application phase, you'll likely have to do it again when you interview. The question will likely be very simply put, “I see you have more experience than we're requiring; why would you want a role you're overqualified for?” 

Be brave, but avoid coming off as cocky by saying something like, “It may appear that I'm overqualified, but here's why I'm a good fit for the job,” and tie your career experiences into what they need in the person they choose to fill the role. 

Give it some thought

If you continue to get the same feedback about being overqualified, it may be time to rethink your job search or give your resume a bit of a heavier edit. Ultimately, patience and persistence will pay off, so keep at it.

Is your resume qualified to land you the interview? Let an expert help with a professional resume rewrite.

This article was originally written by Carson Kohler. It's been updated by Marsha Hebert.

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