How to Hide the Fact that You're Overqualified for a Job

If you've been unemployed for a while, you may be willing to take a lower-paying or less-prestigious job than your previous gig. Get potential employers to give you an interview wit these tips.

Share
  • Embed Video
Close
X
Playback

Up next in How to Ace Job Interviews (14 videos)

Land the job of your dreams by knowing how to answer even the toughest interview questions.

 
How to Ask for a Job Interview
1
How to Ask for a Job Interview
How to Hide the Fact that You're Overqualified for a Job
2
How to Hide the Fact that You're Overqualified for a Job
How to Ace an Interview with Your Body Language
3
How to Ace an Interview with Your Body Language
How to Communicate Your Weakness in a Job Interview
4
How to Communicate Your Weakness in a Job Interview
How to Answer Hard Interview Questions
5
How to Answer Hard Interview Questions
How to Answer the Interview Question: "What Is Your Biggest Weakness?"
6
How to Answer the Interview Question: "What Is Your Biggest Weakness?"
How to Answer the Question "Tell Me About Yourself"
7
How to Answer the Question "Tell Me About Yourself"
How to Answer Interview Questions
8
How to Answer Interview Questions
How to Groom Yourself for a Job Interview
9
How to Groom Yourself for a Job Interview
How to Ace a Telephone Interview and Get the Job
10
How to Ace a Telephone Interview and Get the Job
How to Communicate Your Strengths in a Job Interview
11
How to Communicate Your Strengths in a Job Interview
How to Ace a Job Interview
12
How to Ace a Job Interview
How to Dress for a Job Interview
13
How to Dress for a Job Interview
How to Interview a Job Candidate
14
How to Interview a Job Candidate
 

You Will Need

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Interview

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Dumb down your resume

    Dumb down your resume. Drop advanced college degrees if they don't relate to the job you're applying for, and revise your former title from "manager" to "project team leader," for example.

  2. Don't dumb down your resume to the point where you risk being labeled unethical or fraudulent.

  3. Step 2

    Eliminate earlier jobs from your resume

    Omit some earlier jobs from your resume. "Overqualified" can be code for "too old" or "too expensive."

  4. No matter what, make sure that your references are from recent jobs, not from jobs that you had 20 years earlier.

  5. Step 3

    Write an effective cover letter

    Write a cover letter that expresses your desire for the specific job. Employers are afraid that overqualified employees will jump ship for a better opportunity.

  6. Step 4

    Let the interviewer know you'll take lower pay

    Let the interviewer know you'll take lower pay. Mention your longevity at prior jobs, emphasizing loyalty. Explain how well you've worked with younger bosses. A job you're overqualified for is better than no job at all.

  7. In 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for all American workers was $33,634.

Comments