With unemployment still remaining a major concern across the United States, many job seekers who have led vibrant careers have turned to available positions that may require less than their previous jobs.
While it may seem that employers would be willing to snatch up qualified employees, some may reject applications simply because candidates are “over-qualified.” That may not make sense in the grand scheme of things—but for the skilled job seeker this rejection can leave them puzzled and stuck in unemployment.
Why Over-Qualified Applicants Get Rejected
When applying for a job that one may be over-qualified for, it is important to look at things from the perspective of the employer. For instance, businesses want to avoid high turnover rates because hiring new professionals costs money. If a candidate who is overly adept is brought in, there is a high risk he or she may leave when a better opportunity may arise.
Another fiscally inspired reason that extra-competent job seekers may be turned away is that the employer does not want to spend money to provide a higher salary. Job seekers who carry advanced degrees, years of experience and additional skills could end up costing an employer more; as such, the company may opt to hire someone with fewer skills for less money.
Getting Around the Over-Qualification Conundrum
In most cases, job seekers who apply to certain jobs will want to outshine their competition and make the best case as to why they should get a position. However, in situations where one feels he or she is over-qualified it is important to consider reworking the resume. A carefully edited and repurposed resume and cover letter can help land an applicant a job that he or she may be “too good” for.
Focusing on relevant skills can help keep things in perspective for both the job seeker and the employer. For the employer, a more targeted resume can show what competencies an applicant brings to the table without bringing additional skills into the equation. For job seekers, reworking the resume to focus on these skills can be a great way to prepare for an interview and become more familiar with what the position actually requires.
In a recent Forbes article, job coach Robert Hellman urges over-qualified job seekers to carefully assess what skills are actually needed before submitting a resume. The article suggests, “Trim the [resume] and focus it on the No. 1 must-do of job search–showing how you can help the employer.”
Working out the Kinks
Omitting information from a resume can be painful—especially if you have worked hard to gain certain skills and qualifications. Those who are expanding their options and applying to several different jobs may also find it tiresome to have to research and adapt resumes for each particular available position.
Fortunately, Chic Resumes offers expert guidance on tailoring resumes to fit the individual needs and goals of job seekers. Our professional resume writers will not only become familiar with your skills and work history—but also what you need to highlight during your job search. The result can help individuals not only refine their full resume, but also come up with several different resume versions that can be used during the job hunting process.
To get started and improve your chances in today’s job market, contact us at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net.
