OVERQUALIFICATION HINDERING YOUR JOB SEARCH? 7 WAYS TO DEAL WITH IT
with
Moruf Kolawole Nasir
(Experienced HR professional)
nmkolawole@gmail.com; jarushub@gmail.com
With the rate of unemployment in the country and the competitiveness of certificate in the job market, it makes some logical – even if not entirely sound – sense, to conclude that candidates with more qualifications/certifications will land the advertised job. Even though recruiters pay attention to skills and experience more than certification, gathering certificates is however where job seekers take solace, not just to meaningfully utilize their period of unemployment, but also to add to their qualification-worth.
With our last week’s edition of HRDesk, no doubt, one or two readers would have been thrown into some element of fear. I must say the article was neither intended to scare anybody nor to dampen any hope; rather, it was to help job seekers see through the eyes of Recruiters.
Having said this, if you discover that you are overqualified for most of the jobs you apply for, there is no cause for alarm, below are suggested steps to address the issue of over qualification
TARGET APPROPRIATE JOBS: permit me to quickly state here (just as I have mentioned in one of my previous articles) that one of the reasons why job seekers send out countless CVs without interview invite is because they are applying for the jobs they are not suitable for. The same thing is applicable if you are overqualified. No doubt you will be tempted to apply, try to discard the urge by targeting only the appropriate jobs, even if they are few. Wouldn’t it be better to send out only ten applications in three months and receive three invites than sending fifty applications in a month without any invite?
MODIFY YOUR CV: You have read severally not to use generic/one-size-fit-all CV for all job applications, same thing goes for handling being over qualified. Modify your CV to suit the position you want to apply for. I once recruited a graduate for the position of a driver unknowingly, I discovered he was a graduate after he has landed the job, of course the reasons why we avoid over qualified candidates set in along the line and the rest is history now. I have also seen many HND holders who got their jobs with their OND Certificates, and when the appropriate time to reveal their HND certificate was ripe they did just that.
EMPHASIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE & SKILL MATCH WITH THE JOB: Let your application and CV emphasize skills and experience match for the job in order to disabuse the recruiters mind from your over qualified papers.
NETWORK: Just as love breaks all barriers in relationship, so also is referrals in job search. The best way to get strong and effective recommendation is through networking. The fear of your sudden resignation, high salary demand and attitude issue are taken care of by the person who referred you, yours is to get there and prove that what was said about you is true.
ADDRESS THE SALARY ISSUE: Either through referral or by any of the above you were invited for interview, make attempt to address the salary issue. Make them know why you want lesser pay compared to where you were. While doing this, try not to make it look as if you are desperate for the pay check, rather, concentrate on why high pay is not the only motivating factor for you. Work life balance, working in a reputable organization etc, are more important to you than high pay. Don’t be like my friend who was lucky to be recommended for a good job, and at the first stage of the selection process (with multiple stages) our friend was demanding to know how much the pay for the role is, I need not say what the outcome was. He is still waiting for them to call him for the second stage.
MAKE A TIME COMMITMENT: Again, if you have the opportunity to appear for interview, make a time commitment. Tell them you intend to stay on the job for a long time. Not just saying it, state why the job fits your career goal which will make you stick to the job, rather than seeing it as a stepping stone to another job.
GIVE CONVINCING REASONS WHY THE JOB IS FOR YOU: Recruiters want to know why you’re interested in the job. So explain in your covering letter, as well as at interview. Try to strike a balance between your ability to do the job and the opportunity it offers for professional development. Perhaps you want to work your way up, or the chance to learn from mentors. Never give the impression that you’ll get bored or feel the role is beneath you. It’s always up to candidates to make a case for why they are good fit, but it’s even more important for overqualified applicants. Study the job description and be able to point out exactly why you’re a good person for the job. Make a convincing case that this job, at this stage of your career, is exactly what you want to do.
Always remember “In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn”.
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Great article. This is very useful at this crucial time.