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| | Perspectives on Being "Overqualified"
Ask what elements of your experience appear to overqualify you for the position.
 | Point out your qualifications and note when you are very qualified by your skills and knowledge. |
| Ask if the company wouldn't want to hire the most qualified person available to do the job. |
| Point out that you have specific skills you want to use to continue your career regardless of title, salary or position in the hierarchy. |
| Note that you have a strong interest in doing the job well. |
| Stress your motivation to be of value to an organization at exactly the level of the job that is open and note that the challenge seems exciting. |
To quote a well-known, older, and very qualified commercial artist, "Overqualified? It's a misleading phrase and I hope it will never stand in the way of our working together. Don't be put off by my years of experience. Use them to your advantage. I have the resources you need!"
Importantly, ask to see the written specifications for the job - they usually exist. If not available in writing, ask the interviewer to go over them. Take notes. Look for references to EEO factors like age or gender, i.e.: recent graduate, ten years experience. Then state how you meet the job qualifications. The specification is important to you because it lists the qualifications required to do the job.
Finally, probe for the real reason the interviewer believes you don't qualify. Logical reasons may include: the size of company you're experienced in versus the new company; the industry you're in; centralized versus decentralized organization experience; or higher previous compensation. Personality fit, age or gender will rarely be stated, but listed for any reference to them, and even ask if they are factors in the decision. Once you surface the real reason, you can neutralize them. For instance, today it is becoming more common to take a salary cut in some professions because of a shift in supply and demand.
"You were making more money than this job pays" can be an issue. Discuss it. Give a logical reply: "That's fine with me because: (a) I realize that all compensation levels are being reduced: (b) my spouse works too: (c) our children are through school and our expenses are lower: (d) I want to work for less here instead of relocating.
Also, under today's rules, if it becomes necessary, you might offer to be tried out on a consulting or part-time basis in the job where they can test your skills.
The burden is on you to anticipate and neutralize the concept of "Overqualified". You only have one shot, so make it good. Your enthusiasm and spirit can carry the day.
Business people can be persuaded that professionalism, craftsmanship and motivation are important in filling a job, that the desire to do a job well for less money or in a lesser hierarchical position need not be viewed as antithetical to organization need, and that "Overqualified" doesn't fit the corporate work situation where the only need is for very qualified people to get results.
The very qualified and talented put it this way: "I offer talent, dedication and experience. If that overqualifies me, grab it anyway".
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