Overqualified for a role? Strategies for job applications when you exceed the requirements

If you have ever received feedback that you are too qualified when applying for a job, it can be very discouraging.

Employers and recruiters can be reluctant to hire overqualified candidates for a range of reasons. They may be nervous about you getting bored in the job, unsure you will take instructions, or have concerns that you are only interested in their role for a short time until you find something better.

Given this, it is important to have a clear strategy for applying for jobs when you are overqualified. Skillset’s suggests the following:

Re-craft your CV/resume

When applying for a job that you are overqualified for, it may be necessary to re-craft some aspects of your CV/resume for the application. This may include:

• Ensuring your CV/resume only mentions previous jobs that are relevant to the role you are applying for. This also applies when detailing key responsibilities of each past job. Additionally, make sure you use the language of the job advertisement/position description when outlining responsibilities of previous jobs.
• Rather than using the time-honoured reverse chronological order format for your CV/resume, think about reproducing your CV/resume information with a focus on skills. Choose skills that are most applicable to the role and present your experience against each of these.
• Using design and headings in your CV/resume to take the focus away from past titles. For example, include details on the organisation you worked for first and then include your title.
• Incorporating only education and training that is relevant to the role you are applying for. Keep any additional qualifications off this recrafted version of your CV/resume.

Further to this, as part of your job searching strategy, it may be helpful to tone down your LinkedIn profile so it doesn’t scream ‘overqualified’ when potential employers and recruiters review it as part of their screening processes.

Explain why you want the role in the cover letter

To counter any negative concerns of employers and recruiters, you should be upfront about why you want the job and outline this in your cover letter. You may want more flexibility, are keen to study, are interested in transitioning to a new career, or have a passion for a particular job or industry – whatever the reason, you need to make your pitch and include it in the opening of your cover letter.

If you are applying for a role as a result of being made redundant, don’t be concerned about stating this. Unfortunately, redundancies are fairly commonplace in most industries these days. If this is the case for you, explain that you were made redundant and why in the beginning of the covering letter, and then go onto explain why you are interested in the role, with a focus on the positive.

It is worth emphasising that should you be invited to an interview, you will probably be asked again about why you want a job you are overqualified for. Therefore, be prepared to have this conversation a few times during the recruitment journey. If it helps, develop a brief script about why you want the role and/or to work for the employer, and practice this so you are ready to answer any questions about your motives.

Communicate the benefits of your experience

As part of your pitch for the role, it is crucial that you clarify how your experience and skills can benefit the employer. To do this, you may need to do some research. Consequently, go to the employer’s website and social media pages to get an understanding of their plans and strategies. From this work out how you can add value or help the employer achieve these plans within the context of the role you are applying for.

For example, you may be able to assist the employer understand a particular market they are keen to do more work in, help mentor or upskill junior staff, or agree to take on more responsibilities so they can achieve a specific strategy. It is important that you focus on why they need to hire you.

Be humble

When you have been in a more senior role in the past, it can be easy to fall into the trap that you will automatically win any job you apply for. Therefore, think about the tone of voice and wording you include in cover letters and the attitude you bring to any job interviews. Make sure you don’t sound over confident or arrogant. Ideally, you want to convey that whilst you have experience, you are interested in learning more and growing in the role. Doing this should alleviate any concerns that recruiters and employers may have about you being overqualified and ensure that your application is considered on its merits.