Interview Tips for Over-qualified and Over-experienced Candidates

Looking for employment in a marketplace that is saturated with prospective job candidates can be difficult for anybody. If you’re over-qualified or over-experienced for the vacancies for which you apply, you face further problems.

Employers know the type of candidates that will be “best fit” for their vacancies and it’s often difficult to move to the interview stage if your qualifications and experience seem to put you out of the running for work.

Typical Scenarios

Certain times in life can make it easier to find jobs of this nature. Typically, and unexpectedly rather a sexist reason for this, when a woman leaves full-time employment to start a family it is seen as quite natural that she would move into jobs that are not the right fit for her previous experience or qualifications. If you are in this situation you should find it fairly easy to ace any interview you attend, employers understand the reasons you need to boost the family income pot. Explaining that you’ve just had a child is the most simple way to answer any awkward questions the employer throws during the interview.

The above scenario is not always the case, however. Older men and women returning to the workplace after a break from working often experience ageism, lack of self-confidence and negative stereotyping from employers and employees when they return to the workplace.

Applying for jobs that don’t match their skills levels may be the only way it’s possible to countenance a return to full-time working. Countering negative attitudes can be difficult and handling the job interview with panache is just the first step along the way.

In many cases, prospective employers may be very pleased you have a wealth of skills and experience that exceed the requirements for the role. What you need to handle, is why you are applying for a job that you may be over-qualified for. The employer has to understand why you have an alternative form of career progression in mind.

Over-Qualified and Over-Experienced Job Candidate Tips

One of the main things to remember, is to remain honest, and explain your situation in great depth. An employer is likely to see through any misdirection, and so it’s important to give them the real reasons you’re applying for this position. In most cases, these reasons won’t have any negative impact upon your chances. If you’re simply looking for a different role, want to break into a different industry, or simply fancy something different, there’s little chance an employer would object. All you need is to seem genuine, and justify the reasons for wanting the position in question.

What’s also important to remember, is to ensure the employer is aware you aren’t about to up-and-leave when a better role comes along. If an employer thinks you’re willing to take any job that comes your way, they will likely pass on your application. Companies don’t like to invest in hiring candidates who aren’t dedicated to their role.

If you have moved home, your commute is too far, you have started a family, or no longer need to work full-time, inform the employer that your personal circumstances have changed. If the situation is that you’ve been out of work and simply need a job, be frank, but let them know you’re happy to be in this role for the foreseeable future.

For job applications, it’s important to include on your CV any justification or reasoning for applying for specific positions. If an employer finds your CV to be over-qualified without any justification why you want the job at hand, then they may simply assume you are out of their price range.

Even though you have an understanding that your skills and education are in excess of those required for the job, you’re still likely to experience interview jitters, particularly if you haven’t attended formal interviews for a while. Prepare for your interview thoroughly in advance. Ideally, ask a friend or partner to help rehearse a set of typical interview questions and answers.

Reinforcing your suitability

Some of the trickiest questions that are geared towards probing your suitability for the opening will include reasons for any long break from the workplace and why you’re applying for a job for which you’re too well qualified.

One of the most important issues facing any interview candidate is remaining upbeat throughout. Don’t spend a long time attempting to justify yourself, prepare simple responses to both of these questions, ideally throwing a question back at the interviewer if you have this ability.

Your research will indicate the types of scripts used for modern interviews, if you can establish a rapport with your interviewer by remaining natural, focused and positive at all times you’re more likely to succeed.

Think of some ideas what will be challenging about the new job at hand. Demonstrate that you can remain motivated, and show them how your previous skills and experience can be put to good use in this position.

Group interviews, telephone interviews and role play are often incorporated into the employment recruitment scenario, your thorough research and preparation before the interview helps give greater chances of interview success. Don’t neglect calling the HR department prior to interview if you need questions answering. It’s often an easy way to establish some contact with one of the members of any interview team.

Interview Skills Consulting provide professional one-to-one coaching for job candidates and we’re proud of our success rates. We can help you overcome interview nerves and prepare in the best manner for the job interviews you have lined up. Contact us to find out more.