Vanessa May

Q. I'm overqualified for the job. How do I convince the employer that I sincerely want the position?   A. People sometimes apply for lesser positions due to a desire to get a job quickly after long period of unemployment or a sometimes it is a desire to focus on other areas of life.  But this is a tricky situations since many prospective employers will be reluctant to hire you for fear you will be dissatisfied and quit when something better comes along, or you may even end up ...

Q. I'm overqualified for the job. How do I convince the employer that I sincerely want the position?   A. People sometimes apply for lesser positions due to a desire to get a job quickly after long period of unemployment or a sometimes it is a desire to focus on other areas of life.  But this is a tricky situations since many prospective employers will be reluctant to hire you for fear you will be dissatisfied and quit when something better comes along, or you may even end up taking over their job!   To combat these perceptions, some job seekers tone down their resumes, omitting certain positions, degrees and credentials to make themselves appear less qualified. But this can come back to haunt you - if in the future a job opens up within your company and you apply for it stating your full qualifications, you may look suspect for not having been forthcoming when you originally joined the company.   Another course of action is to market yourself more aggressively by presenting very clearly the advantages of hiring you. Convince the employer that your added expertise or education can benefit both you and the company.  Of course to allay fears that you will leave as soon as something better comes along, you'll need to demonstrate your sincerity and reassure them that you're looking to stay for the long-term. To do this, give honest, plausible reasons why you will be loyal. Some people in these situations have been successful by offering to sign a contract.