AIBU Overqualified

[Bella43]

I recently had an interview for a job. The role, hours and location were perfect. I was doing really well at the interview until the topic of my experience and qualifications came up. I explained my circumstances - that I'm a single mum and being in a higher role is no longer suitable. I said it a little better than this but you get the drift. Basically, when I was in that higher role a few years ago it was too stressful and unmanageable with children. I stepped down and was so happy. Finally I was able to juggle work and children successfully. Unfortunately I was made redundant during the start of the pandemic. I've since been looking for a part-time role in the same industry and at the same level but keep hearing the same thing - that I'm overqualified. It's very disheartening. I'm such a hard worker and my stepping down has nothing to do with my work ethic. I'm reliable, a fantastic time keeper and so committed. In this most recent interview I noticed that the tide turned as soon as they asked if I ever wanted to step back up. I was honest and said no, I'm happy at the level of the role advertised and love serving customers in a front facing role (the higher level is more behind the scenes). They were obviously looking for someone who would like to train up in the future. I was very sad after the interview as I wasn't expecting the push for future career progression. This was not mentioned at all in the advert. Either they saw my qualifications/experience and thought this was what I might be looking for again or they're looking for someone ambitious anyway. Either way, I didn't get the job because they said I'm overqualified.

Does anyone have any advice for future job applications? How can I convince employers that I'm not looking to climb the ladder anymore and that I'm happy at a certain level. I can give so much more to it then both in confidence and enthusiasm. The higher role was high stress, high pressure and gave me chronic anxiety.

Not many suggestions other than keep applying and refining your CV and interview technique.

I have had some interviews recently, and I must admit the interviewers kind of annoy me due to being so picky. In many cases it feels like the interview interviewer has built up a picture of what they want and aren't open to anything different.

@tttigress

Not many suggestions other than keep applying and refining your CV and interview technique.

I have had some interviews recently, and I must admit the interviewers kind of annoy me due to being so picky. In many cases it feels like the interview interviewer has built up a picture of what they want and aren't open to anything different.

🤣 I can't work out if you're joking or not. That is exactly what recruiters are doing - they set out a job spec and are looking for the closest possible match. That's the whole point of a recruitment process.

Can you not waffle about reviewing the situation once the children are older and more independent?

@NotWithMyShoes

Can you not waffle about reviewing the situation once the children are older and more independent?

Yep. Then you can say once your in that no can do.

"I'm open to it in the future if the opportunity arose and the timing was right"?

I agree with the pps who have said tell them it’s something you could consider in the future, if the timing was right. Never say never!

Agree, just lie and tell them what they want to hear. Then once you're in the job you can make decisions as you go along and say no to promotions etc.

When I interviewed for my current job I was asked about increasing to full time and management roles. I said yep, in 5ish years time I would definitely like to be both. Of course, truthfully no bloody way! But I need a job to get through lockdown and to have a new reference on my CV.

What you also have to consider is that they are worried that you are lying and as soon as a suitable high position comes up in the job market you will leave, meaning that they have to start again. I was caught more than once by this

By saying that you stepped down from something higher level because it was too stressful makes it sound as though you only want this job because you think it’s easy. Which maybe the case, it may be easy for you. But it’s hard not to come across cocky.

Employers need to believe you are committed to the job you’re interviewing for. Not just looking for an easy downgrade for a couple of years while you concentrate on your kids.

I've had the same problem, OP.

FWIW, I think that if you're asked that same question in a future i/view i.e. whether you'd like to step back up you could probably find an answer that wouldn't close off the job for you. You could say, for instance, that you very much enjoy working at the level you're applying for, and at the moment you can't imagine having a change of heart, but that of course things might change/never say no/keeping an open mind etc.

Don't mention your children. I'm sorry OP because it's wrong but I think so many women are going to struggle to get back into work because homeschooling, kids etc already in an environment that is hostile to women returners. Try and come up with an answer that doesn't mention the kids, make something up. They can't prod and ask you about children if you don't mention them. Best case scenario you leave the interview without them knowing they exist at all until you're offered a job.

Or strip out the qualifications and it won't even come up. If you have a degree they don't need to know about it unless the job asked for one.

Ditto with your other experience. After my career break I had to apply for a job and it was a much lower level, all the examples I gave were from my first job after uni. No way did I say about all my time as a team leader and I toned it down on my CV.

Some places will want people who want to progress, some places really don't. It all depends if they've got an office full of frustrated workers who can't get a promotion, or one where they have no pipeline for more senior jobs.

The reason they give isn't always the reason, try not to take it personally and keep going. Good luck!

Can you adapt your CV to show how the roles you have had are similar to the ones you are applying for? Where possible leave out the description of the management/senior responsibilities and if possible use a more generic job role if you can without deceiving the employer. Perhaps write a short description of your current work profile and why you are looking for a part-time post. When in interview try to present everything you say as a strength - so if you are explaining why you wouldn't want a more senior role - say you enjoyed having the chance to develop new skills and stretch yourself but you also enjoy customer facing work being a core member of the team - rather than pointing out that you found the higher role stressful, was hard to manage with your family commitments - that tends to get the interviewer to focus on problems rather than strengths.

By saying no, you came across as inflexible.

I wouldn’t say it was too stressful to balance either

You need to say ‘An opportunity arose to enable a work life balance, and I took it. I felt I was able to fully commit to one role and do an outstanding job I excelled at, which I felt gave me job satisfaction. I think that in future I would like to explore other opportunities, and would consider alternative roles.

Positive!

Then don’t!

That's a tricky one OP as most jobs these days aren't really suitable for people to stagnate in for years, and from the interviewer's point of view it could make you seem a bit lacklustre and not very motivated. I'd go with the pp's suggestion and say something nondescript like you'd be open to it in the future etc, even if you don't mean it. Good luck with your job hunting :)

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I like the idea of saying that I can't see me having a change of heart but things might change in the future. At least that way I'll seem more flexible and won't close the idea off in their minds. Time to look at my CV again.

I would just lie to the interviewers and either say yes or a non committal "when the kids are a bit older I'd look forward to new opportunities" - it's OK to bullshit to get a job.

As someone who interviews others, how do you think you come across? I interviewed someone last year, they weren’t over qualified for the job as such, but very qualified to do it and had bags of experience. But they had a bit of an over confident attitude, and I could imagine they would get a bit ‘above their station’ once they found their feet in a new organisation. They were overly sure of themselves and how they do things ‘was the right way’.
Of course, it’s a thin line in an interview, you need to be confident and ‘sell yourself’!
I’m not saying you come across as this (obviously as I have never met you!), but being over qualified I guess can worry an employer as it could cause potential management problems.

Some employers worry about being overqualified and overconfident, the better ones see it as an opportunity. My first managers manager interviewed me and knew I wouldn't stay but is pleased he got me in the organisation where I'm doing really well 3 years later.

Focus on why you want the job you are interviewing for in it's own right,rather than why you didnt want the higher level ones.

• loving being customer facing: good
• not managing juggling the stress plus kids (not good)

• saying you think this role really interests you/has a lot of areas you want to learn/develop in for now (but wouldnt rule out progression later on as business need /opportunity arose): good
• saying you never ever want to progress: not good/not believable.

Also don't talk about your kids/family commitments as driving your career decisions, it will make them feel like work is a second string and never going to have your full attention.

Just lie. Tell them what they want to hear until you are in the role. They can't force you to take a promotion.

Last comment: true what a pp said about most jobs not being suitable to stagnate in for years.

Technology etc means the pace of change is fast and companies want agile workforces who are willing to try new things, change roles, adapt their skills to different working situations.

Just say you were looking for a better work life balance so want a job that you can execute well using the experience you've worked hard to build up. You left the other job because youve heard positive things about new company and feel it would be a good fit and bring new perspectives to your experience. When they ask about the future, you can say that you would like to progress in the company and learn broadly about the business, taking on roles where you can be most useful and apply your experience. You are looking first and foremost for a good working environment where you can make a contribution and feel both expert of your work and an asset to the company.