Overqualified? How do you position yourself when seeking a job, you are overqualified for.

If there is anything we have learned from the Pandemic, it is that there is no time like the present to assess whether what you are doing is something you truly enjoy, or just purely to keep your options open. While there are many conversations and articles out there that help you get a job, there isn’t a ton of conversation about what to do when you may be overqualified for a position you really want. How you proactively address those concerns or roadblocks can quickly bubble you to the top of the candidate pool. If you are finding yourself in that position, below are common roadblocks and tips to overcome some of those initial concerns that hiring managers might have.

• Compensation demands. Hiring managers can make assumptions on your years of experience and assume you are out ofbudget for the position. They could also be skeptical that you won’t be asking for a significant increase in 6 to 12 months. Address this by asking for the salary range and performance/merit increases to evaluate whether or not it will work for you, prior to moving forward in the interview process. Once they share the salary range, avoid the temptation to counter above the top salary range given, as that can be a turnoff.

• Ability to take feedback. Another hesitancy that hiring managers have is whether or not you can take critical feedback and apply it to your work. It is a common misconception that the further you are in your career, the less you are open to change and new ways of doing things. To avoid such assumptions, think about commonly asked interview questions and think of 2 to 3 examples that demonstrates your ability to receive feedback and apply it.

• Quickly leading to dissatisfaction in the position. This is a common hesitancy hiring managers have when reviewing  resumes that might be overqualified. Hiring managers are nervous that they will need to fill the position in a short amount of time since onboarding and training can take months. Be prepared to talk about why this job is ideal for you right now and your commitment if placed in the position.

When addressing potential concerns, it is important to prepare your responses in advance and address potential concerns proactively. Articulate why this position is ideal for you – a more flexible schedule, an industry that you are really wanting to get into, reduced stress, etc. Overall, it comes down to clearly communicating why you would be a good fit for the position and putting potential assumptions at ease.