Over Qualified? -- A message for Candidates

I just saw an old "New Yorker" with this cartoon: Two men in an office, the one in the guest chair apparently there for a job interview. The caption: "I'm 53 but I have the resume of a much younger man".



Now that did make me laugh, but I can certainly understand that gentleman's frustration. How do you get a job when you feel over-qualified? Should you dumb down your resume? How do you "hide" your age? Why won't anyone give you a chance?



As a hiring consultant for small companies in Maine, here is where I am coming from:



1. I will not hire an extremely over-qualified candidate.

(1-A Getting snarky at me won't help.) Or as I said in a recent tweet: "Being over-qualified does not make you right for the job." I recently worked with a small insurance company for an administrative position in their EB (that's Employee Benefits) department. Many of the applicants had degrees, and experience of 10 or more years in the insurance industry in marketing, producing, or account managment. While I appreciate that these may be excellent workers in need of a position, none of them are right for this job with this small company. This company seeks an administrative person who relishes detail work, seeks additional administrative duties, and wants to grow in that role as the company grows. That's an entirely different skill set and career path.



2. I will hire someone of any age, as long as they are a fit in skills, education, and company culture. I have frequently counseled my clients to forego an education requirement for some positions and to seek candidates with experience. (I don't hire based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, either. Dog lovers and sailors may get a second look. One of my client's asked about a Yankees fan and I determinted that was not a protected class -- but we hired the guy anyway.)



3. If you are 53 - I truly don't want you to provide me with a resume of a much younger person. Really. While I don't want to see 5 and 6 page resumes and I don't need every job described fully, I would like to know that you did not *poof* become a Senior Accountant with no prior experience. Show me how you got there, let me know about any experience you have that can help you in the position I've posted. It will help. Really.



4. I can tell if you are using the shotgun approach, and it doesn't impress me. If you are sending your resume to anything that remotely resembles a real career opportunity, stop it. Get a part time or temp job somewhere. (I worked as a very low level assistant gardener one summer. That is like digging ditches but in a prettier setting.) Then, take the time to figure out what you want to do, where you can do it, and what you are truly qualified for. Apply only to those positions which meet at least 85% of your requirements and put everything you have into each application -- cover letter, resume with absolutely no errors, research, networking contacts -- everything. Make the hiring manager feel that this is the job for you, not that you will take just about anything.



5. While I don't care how old you are -- I do care whether you have appropriate software skills. If you don't list them, I may assume that you don't have them. Please make it easy for me to say "yes" by providing all the relevant information you can about your skills.



6. If your resume is dated in style and content, fix it. I don't want to know your marital status, children's names and ages, hobbies, - except for dogs and sailing (kidding!) - high school or college awards .. you get the idea. That is so 30 years ago. Show what's relevant today, for this position.



This is a horrible economy in which to find your next career position. I get that. But hiding who you are or applying to any position that is a hit on one of your key words will not get you hired more quickly. Seek a position with a company that will celebrate you and what you bring to the table. Seek a fit with culture, ethics, growth potential, and educational opportunities. If you can afford to work at a salary less than what you earned before, seek a similar position with a small business or non-profit. Don't apply to positions that are 10 or 20 or 30 years beneath you. Be proud of what you have accomplished and take the time to find the next right opportunity for you.

Good luck.