Overqualified!

CAN THERE ever be such a thing as too much of a good thing - be it experience or expertise? Most job hunters who are lacking in skills and experience will laugh out loud at this seemingly harebrained proposition. But, sometimes, excess knowledge can actually undermine the job hunt by rendering one `too good for the job'. `Overqualified' is as much a stigma as being under qualified. With massive layoffs and restructuring becoming commonplace, out-of-work employees find it difficult to land new jobs matching their skills and experience. Sometimes, they are left with no option but to settle for jobs that are lower on the career ladder.
The employer's gripe
What would you do if you are in such a position and the hiring managers ask you: Why do you want to do this job? Do not expect them to offer you the job. In fact, it is the opposite; they would refuse to even consider you.
There are several reasons behind their reluctance to take overqualified employees on board. Primarily, companies assume that the salary they offer would anyway be low and you will turn it down anyway. Secondly, lesser-qualified managers fear that you will undermine their authority if you join their company. Companies, when hiring over- qualified candidates, have to consider the risk that the job is only a stop-gap arrangement for the person and he may leave it once a better offer comes calling. Or, the candidate will lose interest in the job quickly and quit at the earliest. This means a waste of time and money for the company.
The road ahead
If you are overqualified, your potential employer will try to back out with, `I am sorry but you are overqualified for this position' spiel. You will have to convince him that you are perfect for the job. Here are a few tips:
Face the issue head-on. Raise the `overqualified' issue yourself and try to give a sincere-sounding reason like, `I am looking for something a little less stressful, with fewer responsibilities, so I can spend more time with my family'.
You cannot expect to be paid the same salary you were getting in the past. Tell the employer that you are flexible regarding pay and will accept remuneration in tandem with the position.
Make sure that your résumé contains information only on the experience required for the job and not any extraneous details. Downplay those skills not necessary for the job will imply that you are the right fit for the job in question.
Stress on what you can do for the company with your experience and skills and how you can help meet their needs
Allay fears of undermining the authority of managers by highlighting your successful and loyal relationships with previous bosses.
Display your enthusiasm and interest for the company's work. If possible, make a commitment to stay.
All in all, as a wise man said, `You have to project yourself as the kind of person who believes there is honour in every job'.
Settling for less
You may have successfully convinced the employer, but are you yourself convinced? Taking a job beneath one's capabilities is not easy. You have to let your pride take a backseat to work under a lesser-qualified boss. Dealing with this kind of situation needs loads of adjustment and optimism.
Try to maintain a positive outlook by considering the new job as a learning experience where you can pick up new skills and discover new strengths or talents within yourself. Think of it as a stepping stone to future openings at higher levels. Evaluate the opportunities, as the job can sometimes provide long-term growth. It may even help you network, which will help you find a better job.
The lack of duties and responsibilities can be rewarding in the sense that it will help maintain a better work-life balance. All said and done, remember that there is some truth in the cliché, `It is the person that dignifies the position, and not the position that dignifies the person!'

PAYAL AGARWAL