What to do when you’re told you are overqualified

“We felt you were overqualified for the role….” Is one of the most frustrating sentences you can hear in a job search.

So what should you do when you get that response?

First, let’s step back and think about what ‘overqualified’ even means? What is it code for?

‘Overqualified’ can mean a lot of things. Here are a few:

 
We think this work is too low level for you – you’ll be bored and unengaged.

Maybe the least painful reason to be pulled out of an interview process is when it’s because you’re too senior and capable, and the employer is concerned you will be bored. This is often the easiest for employers to share with you.

We think you’ll leave less than a year later.

While employers wouldn’t come out and say this most likely, they might tell you you’re overqualified if they think you don’t really want THIS job, you just want A job, and once you start, you’ll keep looking for another opportunity.

This job will be a pay cut for you.

It should be so easy for employers to eliminate this as an option, but even with increased pay transparency, there’s a chance the reason you’re being pulled out of the process is because they wouldn’t be able to match the salary they *think* you make and want. (This is why all job postings should list a salary!)

So, what can you do when told you are overqualified? Ask for clarification. 

Let’s be real: most of the time you don’t get helpful information about why you were dropped from an interview process, and many times even if you ask for feedback, you don’t get any. But if you are told you’re overqualified, there’s no reason you can’t go back to understand where they’re coming from. They might not respond. But if they do, you know how to form a response that might salvage the process.

You might say something like…

“Ooo that’s so interesting you thought I am overqualified. I’d love to understand that further. Can you tell me what about my background or the role makes you think I’m overqualified?”

If they respond by sharing that they think you’re bored, here’s what you might respond with:

“That’s so interesting you think the work will be unengaging. I don’t feel that way at all! Let me tell you what I’m excited about. First…”

Then share 2-3 projects/tasks/areas that are new to you that you can point to in order to show that there’s actually a lot that would interest you about the role. For example, you might say,

“The conference coming up I’d be overseeing logistics for would be bigger than any event I’ve overseen. The topics are brand new to me, the players and stakeholders all new, and it would give me an opportunity to coordinate logistics on the road, which would be a big step up and energizing for me.”

 OR

“While I’ve done this job function before, I’ve never done it at this level or in this industry. I know there’s a lot to learn about the work and the players and I really do think that would keep me engaged for quite some time!” Focus on the parts that are new and different and stress those.

If they respond by sharing that they you’ll be likely to move on quickly, here’s what you might respond with:

“That’s so interesting you think I’ll be likely to move on quickly. I don’t feel that way at all! Let me tell you why. First…”

Then share 2-3 reasons why you’re looking to stay in a role for a while. You could stress a bit of the above (why the work will be engaging and keep you learning for quite a while). You might talk about how the role might not be a big step up, but what you’re looking for now is stability and to more effectively balance your personal and work commitments - so this is the exact type of role and work you’re looking for right now.

If it helps to share personal info, why not at this stage?! You’ve got nothing to lose.

If they respond by sharing that they imagine or know you’re looking for a higher salary, here’s what you might respond with:

“That’s so interesting! Could you share with me the range you all have budgeted for this role so I can let you know if it would indeed be under what I’m looking for?”

If the range they share is in line with your goals, you can say,

“Actually that’s the exact range I was hoping for. My goal is a salary of between $X and $X, so it sounds like this is actually a match. Was that your only concern about my candidacy?”

If the pay range is quite off from what you’re looking for, take that as a sign it’s not a good match and shoot for something in the range that matches your experience level. Though if you are looking to take a pay cut that goes with a less intense job, go back to the strategy for the second reason above, and share why you’re looking for a less intense job and are truly comfortable with that pay level.

If you’re repeatedly being told you’re overqualified, take that as a sign that you really should be aiming for higher level roles. Even if you feel like you’re underqualified, the market may be telling you otherwise!

Overall, the goal when told you are overqualified is to understand why the employer thinks that and respond with clear reasons and examples for why you don’t feel that way.

Good luck and happy job hunting!