Why You Were Called ‘Overqualified’ For The Job

Few things worse than being called “overqualified” for a job you know you’d be a great fit for. Most recruiters mean well when they give you this feedback but it can feel like being sucker punched, especially if you felt confident during your interview.

I wish I could give you the exact reason why they deemed that you’re not the right fit but it really depends on the situation. With that said, let’s explore the five most common reasons why you got called overqualified and what you can do next.

They Don’t Know How To Reject You

Some recruiters aren’t trained on giving real, actionable feedback and at times will give you a generic reason without backing it up. As mentioned, being “overqualified” is not necessarily a bad thing but it also doesn’t give you the result you want. However, if you do see this being a pattern and the common feedback you are consistently getting, then the real reason may be from the others on the list.

What you can do: Ask the recruiter for specific feedback and listen to their suggestions for future interviews.

They Think You’re Short-Term Focused

Recruiters may sometimes think that someone who has qualifications that are above the requirement for the job might just maximize their company for a pit-stop opportunity, and eventually leave them for greener pastures once these become available. You also have to consider this because taking in a new employee requires a lot of effort and resources, which can prove to not equal the investment should you leave after a short term project.

What you can do: Don’t be generic in your interest and showcase what excites you about working with this specific company and opportunity.

Your Salary Range Is Too High

Having an impressive resume with tons of work experience can discourage an employer with a limited budget. I’m not encouraging you to lowball yourself, but keep in mind that all companies will consider their own bottom line when hiring. This is why it’s best to hear from the recruiter first about salary before sharing your own expectations with no context.

What you can do: Share that you are flexible with salary expectations and would love to hear from their end on the budget for the role.

They Think You Can’t Adapt

It's unfair but some hiring managers may tend to favor younger applicants over their older counterparts simply because they assume the latter can no longer adapt to new environments. While we know that this isn't true, there are times when adapting to new technology or work tools can be a challenge for anyone, regardless of age. The good news is that you can jump ahead of these assumptions and take it upon yourself to learn new skills that will be useful for the role.

What you can do: Make a list of emerging technology and tools for your role and industry and familiarize yourself with them. You don’t have to join any expensive programs to do it, you can even get started with free classes on YouTube.

You Intimidated The Hiring Manager

Most people think it’s a plus to have impressive qualifications. However, not everyone will see it the same way. I know from my clients’ stories that they have met hiring managers who have felt intimidated by their years of experience, and chose to go with another candidate that followed the status quo. It’s an unfortunate reality when it comes to hiring but in my opinion, you are saving yourself a lot of headache by not working with that kind of manager. You want to go somewhere where your skills and experiences are celebrated, not repressed.

What you can do: Choose to see these instances as blessings in disguise and move on to meet other people who will uplift you in your career.

What To Do Next

While you ultimately shouldn’t hide your professional experience and capabilities, grounding them and only highlighting the most relevant ones can help you avoid being tagged as “overqualified” and land the role.

A common mistake among candidates is including all their achievements, degrees, and work experience on their resume. If you have over a decade of experience, this can be overwhelming for a recruiter and doesn’t sell the specific skills you have. Our free resume template is a great resource to help you tailor your qualifications in a way that immediately grabs the recruiter's attention. Once you decide to apply for a role, thoroughly study what they’re asking for, and match it with the details that matter.

It also may benefit you to remove your graduation dates from your resume and remove outdated experiences. Remember, this is your story and you get to tell it the way you think highlights your best stuff. I know being called “overqualified” can sting, but know you are on the right path and your time will come soon. Rooting for you, my friend.

Thanks for reading our Get Hired, Get Paid Newsletter! This article was originally written on our Forbes site here.

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