Perhaps the most unfair thing in the world is being rejected for over-qualification, a feeling of despair mixed with bewilderment and the question, “Why was I rejected for having more experience?” brings to our lives. Always the best options for a job position are as capable as the requirements of that job; No more and no less. If you intend to apply for a job lower than your ability level, we will show you the way in this article.
Why does an employer not want an overqualified person?
1. He considers the salary set for him to be low
Much of the concern of managers is about salaries. Naturally, qualified people expect a salary commensurate with their experience level, generally higher than the budget for low-level job positions.
2. He is afraid that the applicant will consider his job a temporary
A person who has been unemployed for a long time and now sends a resume for a job with fewer requirements than his capabilities raises the alarm in the employer’s mind that “he is probably looking for a temporary job to fill his time” or “this position is a launching pad for him.” It’s to the next steps.” The employer’s priority is to accept applicants who become loyal companions of the organization.
3. It is possible that it is not commendable and ready for orientation
The higher the scientific and professional rank of a person, the more difficult it is for him to take orders from his superiors who have less experience and knowledge, and this fact cannot be denied. Therefore, the employer prefers the job classification of employees to be by their work experience and literacy level.
4. He finds work duties boring for him
The priority of organizations is to hire employees who enjoy their job duties and complete them not by force and reluctance but with desire and enthusiasm. Hiring an overqualified person worries managers because they may soon get tired of the simplicity of their duties and look for another job opportunity to challenge their talents!
Writing a resume for a job below the level of capabilities
Your resume tells about your career path, and you should report it line by line honestly and without exaggeration. Of course, you can introduce yourself as a suitable option for the job by selecting your skills and job records. Following these tips when writing a resume will bring you one step closer to your goal.
1. Tailor your resume to the skills you’re applying for
If the job position is lower than the level of your capabilities, write the summary in such a way that it shows the employer that your experience is suitable for the job position; Do not write experiences beyond the company’s requirements and only include the necessary skills.
2. Don’t talk about advanced degrees and higher degrees
Don’t list every degree you’ve earned on your resume. You have the right to want to increase your credibility with the company manager, but not so much that you seem overqualified for the position. If submitting half of your documents is enough to be accepted, don’t destroy the possibility of being accepted by sending all the documents.
3. Do not write the exact date of graduation
By writing the graduation date in your resume, you have practically provided your employer with the duration of your work experience. Since most people start working after graduation, the employer considers this period the applicant’s work history. He doubts his over-qualification for the job if it is too much!
4. Do not list your entire employment history
In addition to advanced degrees and specialized skills, the history of working in top job positions should also be removed from the resume. Of course, a long interval between previous activities is suspicious for the employer. If your resume is approved for an interview, be prepared to explain.
5. Focus on your skills and accomplishments
There are a few different strategies for writing a resume. Some focus on the individual’s achievements and specialized skills, and others on the applicant’s work history and previous activities. If you submit a resume for a job below your skill level, focus on presenting accomplishments and skills relevant to the position.
6. At the end of the resume, write a short description
In the resume summary section, explain in a few sentences your motivation for applying for a job and the reason for settling for a position below your capabilities. Pay attention to a few points in writing this section:
- Explain why you are looking for a new job opportunity and your motivation for working in this sector.
- State why you settled for a job lower than your experience level; That you do not enjoy promotion and management positions or prefer lighter duties.
- Don’t go into details; A sentence or two is enough for this section.
7. Write the resume in plain language
The stronger the resume’s language, the faster the reader will notice the person’s experience and qualifications. So if you’re sending a resume for a job below your experience level, it’s better to replace simple phrases and casual sentences.
Tips about cover letter
The resume you send is part of the job application process. The other part is the cover letter explaining why you are looking for this position while you have the experience and knowledge of working in better places. For example:
- Are you retired but still want to work in that field?
- Is the reason for your enthusiasm only personal interest in the job position or the name and style of the organization in question?
- Would you like to leave the desk and management positions and start working again?
This letter is the best opportunity to explain your motivation and prove that you are the best for the position.
Talk about over-qualification in the interview session.
If overqualification arises during a job interview, ask the interviewer to explain their concerns clearly. When you understand the depth of the company manager’s concerns about hiring people with more knowledge and experience than expected, you can more easily address these concerns with your explanations. Try to anticipate the interviewer’s questions so that you are ready to respond with convincing answers on the interview day.
And finally, never get discouraged by being rejected for a job below your skill level. Look at the contents of your resume and cover letter and prepare better answers for interview day to remove this obstacle finally.
The last word
Before applying for a job below your skill level, briefly put yourself in the employer’s shoes. How long will you last in a position that doesn’t challenge your talents, the duties aren’t enjoyable, and the pay doesn’t satisfy you? Therefore, it is logical that the employer’s priority is to choose options that match the job position’s requirements. If you have made up your mind, prove that you are the best candidate for the position by preparing a great resume and a convincing cover letter and being fully trained on the day of the interview.
How about you? Do you have the experience of being rejected for being too qualified? We look forward to hearing your comments.
