Has "overqualified" become a hackneyed word?

I have been hearing the word “overqualified” quite a bit lately. And where may I have heard this…?

Incidentally, from turning on the radio while driving, where the radio host started talking about people having a challenging time looking for work… from reading articles online about people coming out of job interviews and not being hired, simply because they are “overqualified”. Though, it does appear ironic that the process for employers to finally decide that the candidate is “overqualified” ends up being in the interview. This alone can have a devastating effect on the candidate.

The term, “overqualified,” has been thrown around so much that it really is becoming hackneyed. Still, you need to overcome the challenges of the employer’s consideration — that you are overqualified. Therefore, winning the employer’s trust and confidence to hire you is crucial during the interview.

Addressing potential employer concerns directly is necessary when discussing over-qualification in a job interview. Sharing your passion, highlighting transferable skills, and offering a commitment are ways to help eliminate employer concerns and start to gain the approval of the employers.

Displaying genuine interest coupled with long-term commitment can make you a valuable team member. Let’s examine certain strategies that will aid your success in job interviews.

Share Your Passion

It is important to find work that you enjoy and are passionate about. Doing so will make it easier to show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in both the job and the company. Here are some tips:

• Do your research on the company; knowing and understanding the company’s mission and vision will prove valuable.
• Connect how the company’s mission and vision align with your own values and career goals
• Share personal stories that may express your passion for the role

Also, sharing specific aspects of your current role that genuinely excite you demonstrates that you are inspired and motivated to contribute to the company’s success.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Your transferable skills are valuable and applicable to your new role. By showcasing these skills, you can significantly contribute to the organization. Highlighting specific success stories from your previous positions will demonstrate how your skills may effectively be applied to your new job.

Emphasizing soft skills such as communication and leadership, both transferable and valuable in various contexts, demonstrates your ability to share and express your viewpoints, thereby adding value to the team, despite being overqualified.

Furthermore, show how you elevate the team’s overall performance by contributing to the team through mentoring and training new or less experienced team members. Your contribution not only proves valuable to the team, you are potentially saving the company a tremendous amount of money in training and development. You are contributing to the growth of both the team and the company!

Offer a Commitment

Express your long-term commitment to the company. This demonstrates to the employer that you can help foster employee engagement and retention, contributing to the bigger picture of sustainable employment. Be open to sharing your intentions and express how your long-term goals align with the company’s vision.

Be prepared to show how you will contribute to the organization’s growth and success. To further reinforce your commitment, demonstrate your willingness to take on new responsibilities and adapt to the company culture. For instance, you could mention a project where you led a team to implement a new system that significantly improved efficiency or a long-term commitment to a specific department that substantially increased productivity. These examples of past long-term commitments or projects where you have demonstrated loyalty and growth within a company can be compelling. It shows your dedication and provides tangible evidence of your credibility and potential for long-term contribution.

Follow these tips to gain confidence for your next job interview. Wishing you the best of luck!

Till next time…