“You are overqualified for the job”. What companies really mean.

If you are a senior professional, with at least 15 years of experience,? you've probably heard the term "overqualified" pop up in a job interview or career chats. Deciding if you’re a perfect fit or "too much" for a position can often depend on personal opinions. And we know, subjective hiring can lead to biases and mistakes, right?

It's kind of ironic (but not really), because…?

When companies say "you're overqualified for a job," they often mean more than just that:        

1 - We might not offer the salary you deserve.

2 - Your manager might feel intimidated by your expertise in their team.

3 - We worry you'll get bored and leave for better opportunities soon.

4 - We prefer candidates who fit our mold rather than ones with fresh ideas and experiences. We'd rather hire and train someone new who follows our rules.

A simple word like "overqualified" can hide deeper concerns.        

If you're keen on a company but worry about being labeled "overqualified," try these tips:

1 - Address the potential concern of getting bored in the role: Show you understand the tasks, express enthusiasm for them, and explain why they excite you.

2 - Highlight your relevant experience: Be specific, mentioning achievements, project details, and numbers that show you're a good fit.

3 - Talk about what you're not looking for: Acknowledge if you're not seeking a leadership role. For example: “I am not interested in a leadership position now, although I had it in the past. I would rather have an individual contributor role now”.

4 - Show you stay updated on industry trends: Mention recent courses, tool proficiency, and reading related to the role.

Ever been told you're "overqualified" in an interview? How did you handle it? Share your experiences below.

I’ve helped +350 professionals from different countries, industries and seniority to improve their careers and land a more flexible job.

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Who is Juliana Rabbi?

Juliana is a recruiter-turned-career coach. She is also a keynote speaker for international audiences.

Over 15 years experience in Human Resources and Recruitment in multinational companies, Juliana has been working remotely since 2014 (yes, way before the pandemic).

For + 4 years, Juliana has managed her own career coaching business, providing services, coaching, consulting and mentoring to +430 clients in +2.700 consulting/coaching sessions.

She helps senior professionals to land a flexible job faster, make better career choices and create the lifestyle they want.

Her background is in Psychology, with a Master Degree in Human Resources.

She is also a Digital Nomad who has been to 56 countries, can't resist playing with dogs, tries different animal poses in yoga and enjoys acting in improv comedy.

+72.000 candidates interviewed as a Recruiter over 15 years.

189 recommendations and 5 star reviews on LinkedIn.

76 nationalities impacted from different continents over her career.

14 companies (mainly multinationals) directly benefited from her services.

+440 clients in +2.400 consulting/coaching sessions.

Bachelor Degree in Psychology with a Master in Human Resources.

Trilingual (English-Spanish-Portuguese).

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