By Nick D'Ambrosio- First Round Search
In a job market like we are in , finding the ideal job is very difficult. When you think about it, is it ever easy to find the perfect job? Over the last couple of years I see people more willing to take jobs that they are clearly overqualified for. I am often asked if these types of moves can hurt someone’s career in the long run. There is no simple answer to the question and every situation is unique. I do know one of the toughest things to explain to a potential employer is why you have not worked in a six months or a year.
In a job market like we are in , finding the ideal job is very difficult. When you think about it, is it ever easy to find the perfect job? Over the last couple of years I see people more willing to take jobs that they are clearly overqualified for. I am often asked if these types of moves can hurt someone’s career in the long run. There is no simple answer to the question and every situation is unique. I do know one of the toughest things to explain to a potential employer is why you have not worked in a six months or a year.
I was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal on this topic over a year ago and while the market has picked up, it is still a tough job market. Knowing what the potential downside can be when accepting certain jobs is something you do need to consider. You also should be clear on the risks associated with long periods of unemployment.
Below are questions I was asked for the article and my responses. I think they can be helpful to those looking at jobs they feel they are overqualified for.
As a candidate with over-qualified credentials, how do you convince a potential employer that you won’t leave when the economy brightens?
"A smart employer will see this current market and realize they can now get quality talent at a discount and accept the fact that they may only get a year or two out of this person. You can say anything you want and spin it anyway you want but the people doing the hiring recognize what’s happening in the market. You are better off being honest and talking about the things you clearly bring to the company and how you will immediately make an impact."
What’s the downside of accepting a job you are overqualified for?
"This is a difficult question to answer. Going from a VP of a major corporation to a sales person at unheard of 2nd tier company may not be a wise move. Ideally you want to stay in the same industry even if it means going down a notch or two in salary and title. This will be explainable down the road given the current market conditions. It’s easier to explain why you took a job you were overqualified for, than to explain why you were unemployed for two years."
In this economy are most people taking jobs that require significantly less experience than they possess?
"In this market, almost everyone is willing to take a job they are overqualified for. People need to make money and have limited choices. Look at the unemployment statistics. You have to be willing to take jobs you are overqualified for. I saw a similar situation in Silicon Valley in 2002. Forget the past. The alternative is to potentially be unemployed for a long time. No matter what the market is like, it’s always easier to find a job when you have a job."
With so many impressive candidates in the market, how can you deal with rejection if you’re not chosen?
"You need to be slightly detached from the results while still remaining passionate about the day-to-day activities needed to find work. The people I see landing jobs in this market do more then just network, visit job boards or meet with recruiters; they proactively find new companies to market themselves to–both inside and outside of their present industry. They are unafraid to pick up the phone and call a potential employer, and they excel at presenting themselves. "
