Secure the Role Despite Being Overqualified

I often work with clients who are seeking a lesser role than what they have recently left or are currently in. Sometimes, it is due to wanting to get back to that certain role that excited them every day; other times, it is the desire to work at a particular company or switch industries. Still, other times it is related to personal obligations and the willingness to take a lesser role to work remotely or stay in the same location.

The issue often leads to red flags for an employer concerned the overqualified candidate is looking for a bridge job until a more aligned position becomes available. Sound familiar?

Try incorporating these strategies in your search to combat red flags:

Tailor Your Resume / LinkedIn:  Focus your resume on skills and experiences most pertinent to the job you are applying for. Remove or downplay achievements or responsibilities that may seem too advanced.

Express Genuine Interest: In your cover letter and in your LinkedIn About section, explain why you are looking at this specific role and what excites you about it. In a cover letter, you can mention the company culture or how the company aligns with your career goals.

Emphasize Long-Term Commitment: State your intentions clearly in your cover letter and during interviews, articulating your desire to grow within the company. Align your professional goals with those of the company’s mission or value statement and express how they resonate with your own.

Utilize Your Network: Reach out to contacts within the industry or company to ask for personal recommendations and referrals; they can go a long way in removing concerns about your intentions.

Dispel Doubts: In an interview, address the elephant in the room by openly discussing why you are looking for this specific role and how it fits into your broader career plan. Transparency can build trust and remove doubts. Communicate your enthusiasm for specific duties/activities of the role and why you are excited to fulfill them.

Interview Conversation: During the interview, you can leverage your past experience by highlighting advantages such as understanding expectations, identifying potential problems, and providing a distinct perspective.

If you have been in this situation, what has worked for you?