Job Interview Question & Answer: Do You Have Too Much Experience for This Job? Reasons for the Question Sometimes, exceeding the qualifications for a position can hurt a job seeker's hiring chances rather than help them. Workers with more experience than necessary may face specific interview questions about why they're applying for positions with lower requirements. Some employers may pose their concerns as questions, like, "Do you think you are overqualified for this job? " How to Reply Hiring staff rarely find their ideal applicant, so a question about over-qualification doesn't mean you're out of the running. After all, they're interested enough to interview you. Most candidates have faults or training that don't perfectly match the job description, so the important thing is to address the question and soothe employers' worries. Get to the root: Begin by thanking hiring managers for sharing their concerns, then consider asking about the source of their unease. Some employers expect overqualified hires to quit when a better job turns up.
Discuss what you can do for the company to focus attention back on your skills and abilities. How Not to Answer "Do You Have Too Much Experience for This Job? " Rather than misrepresenting their skills, job seekers should face over-qualification with honesty and sensitivity. Be sure to read interviewers' body language and proceed carefully as you try to pinpoint the source of their worries. Avoid aggressive, defensive, or arrogant replies. Address their concerns as natural and valid but unnecessary because of your personal goals. Sample Responses to "Are You Overqualified for This Job? " Remaining calm and treating a job interview question about being overqualified like any other is easier when you practice a response. Poise under pressure plays a crucial role in convincing recruiters to hire new workers, regardless of qualifications. Reading through these examples can help you create a confident reply of your own. Sample Answer 1 – Computer Support Specialist "Like you pointed out, I worked at a higher level in my last position.
Or maybe it's about the work-life balance. If your job at the moment means you are travelling and are away from home a lot and you spend little time with your family, it's fine to talk about this if you're being interviewed for a job that will resolve such issues – as long as you can also show that you're genuinely interested in the role. If it's a company that's of particular interest to you, you can discuss how keen you are to work there and share your hopes to gradually progress your career through internal opportunities – show that you will be committed and see a future with that company. However you do decide to tackle this question, don't fall into the trap of dumbing down and trying to pretend that you are less than you actually are. If you waste time in the interview misrepresenting your experience and achievements you won't successfully sell yourself. And finally, remember this: it's not about whether you are overqualified, it's about whether you are properly qualified for the job.
Others think a more mature candidate will struggle to follow a less experienced supervisor. If you don't know the cause of the issue, you can't address it. Speak to their worries: The next step is to calm their fears. Discuss your history of sticking with companies for the long haul to ease worries that you'll leave. More seasoned candidates can talk about their desire to pass on knowledge to dispel concerns around personnel conflicts. Emphasize your enthusiasm: You can never be overqualified in your eagerness, desire to mentor, or thirst for self-improvement. Hiring panels need to know you want this job and why you're excited to join their team. Experienced hopefuls may want to attach themselves to a company on the move, explore a new field, achieve work-life balance, or focus their careers on duties they enjoy. Highlight the benefits of experience: Answering interview questions like, "Aren't you overqualified for this position? " means explaining how your wealth of qualifications can help an employer.
Ensure that you have no plans of leaving — sometimes employers may want you to sign a contract to confirm that you will work with the company for at least 12-18 months. But you should only sign an agreement if you're truly willing to dedicate that time to the organization. Take Salary Off the Table With your expertise and experience, a hiring manager might assume you'll want a higher starting salary than another candidates. Make it clear that your previous positions — and earnings — will not inflate your salary requirements. Stress that you are looking for a salary that reflects the job's current market value — and that you also are open to negotiation. That will help smooth the way to getting a second interview, and hopefully a cold hard job offer. Mashable Job Board Listings The Mashable Job Board connects job seekers across the U. S. with unique career opportunities in the digital space. While we publish a wide range of job listings, we have selected a few job opportunities from the past two weeks to help get you started.