The three little words “sorry, you’re overqualified” are among the hardest to fully understand. Being told that you can’t get hired because you are too good for the job is strange, ideally they would let you make that choice for yourself! As you’ve probably guessed, however, “overqualified” is used as code for a number of different possibilities. An “overqualified” candidate is one who may end up being: too expensive, insubordinate, or temporary.
If you were once head of HR, pulling down 90K a year, and you are applying to a middle-management position that pays 50K, the hiring manager is going to be a little wary of you. If you ask for your old salary, there is no way they can hire you. There are two ways to handle this- demonstrate that you are willing and able to take the pay cut, or demonstrate that you can increase revenue by more than the difference in salary. One way or another you need to prove to the company that you end up being the same price, or cheaper, as other applicants. If you know that you are applying to a position that does not pay as well make sure to note this as soon as you can.
This company may have just promoted an employee to a manager position. They’ve been doing a stellar job, but they have only been running the show for 6 months. Enter you, a veteran of the field, taking a job where you work for this green manager. There is a definite fear that if he says “jump” you’ll politely tell him that jumping does not increase productivity, instead of asking “how high?” This manager will think you want his position, and the corporate ladder will shake with fear. How do you handle this? - You make it very clear that you do not want to advance. You want the job you are applying for, you want to apply the skills you have to this job, and this job only. You are applying because you have done the job, and you enjoy it, not to restart your career.
If you get through explaining away these first two concerns, the hiring manager will start to feel good about you, until he remembers that you could leave. What’s to stop you, a shining veteran of the field, from taking the next better job offer that comes along? There are two ways to field this, depending on how much you like this position. If this position is all you are looking for and more, explain that. If you aren’t looking for more, make it known. If you are settling for this position until something better comes along, emphasize two things: the fact that you are good at this job, and the fact that you don’t need lengthy training. You are cheap to hire, cheap to get going, and you will do the job incredibly well. Make them remember that they would be lucky to have you for however long they get to, as you have proven how good you are at the job.
If you are afraid that you are going to get rejected because of your extensive experience, remember how silly it is to be too good for a job. Show the hiring manager that you are useful, communicate well, and will be an asset to the company, and you should be able to get the job.