Job Hunting Strategies for the Overqualified

Understand Your Qualifications

Start by understanding your qualifications in comparison to a given job posting. Of course, you may have razor-sharp qualifications and even experience that exceeds the job requirements. But it’s important to focus on the skills and experiences required to do the job. Understanding the context of the job and what makes you a qualified candidate is key.

Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Once you have a grasp on what your qualifications and experience can bring to the table, set out to identify your transferable skills. Even if the job posting isn’t a perfect fit, you may still be able to apply parts of your experience to the role. For example, if the opportunity requires knowledge of a particular software program—but you have experience using a different variant—it is worth mentioning in your cover letter.

Look for Opportunity

In addition to reading job postings and making sure you’re a qualified candidate, take the time to look for opportunities. Reach out to people in your network that may have connections to the company you’re applying to, or use your existing contacts to get referrals. Go broad and look for opportunities outside of the scope of traditional job postings.

Don't Sell Yourself Short

It’s natural to want to downplay your qualifications when you feel overqualified for a role. That said, when you go into the interview, don’t sell yourself short. Instead, frame your experience in a way that shows you’re putting it to use and ready to become a valuable part of the team. Focus on the skills you can bring to the job while showcasing yourself as someone with a wealth of experience.

How to Sell Your Experience to Hiring Managers

Your experience will be most attractive to hiring managers if you explain who you are and what kind of value you can bring to their organization. When discussing your years of experience, mention what you learned and how it has positively affected your work. Make sure to emphasize how you can use your experience to either develop existing operations or introduce new ones.

Know When to Take a Step Back

On the flip side, if you do have the kind of experience that could land you a more advanced position, remember that pushing for it won’t always be successful. If the company is more interested in someone with a more beginner-level skill set, use the opportunity to add value in other ways. Demonstrate your ability to think strategically, work with a team, and create solutions.

Stay Open-Minded

Sometimes, it can be difficult to accept a job that is outside of your set qualifications—particularly if it pays less than you’re accustomed to. The key is to stay open-minded. View the job opportunity not just as a paycheck, but as an opportunity to learn or increase your skill set.