OVER QUALIFIED...

[tiggsy]

hi, i'm hoping to go back to work part time after two years looking after my little girl. problem is i think i may be over qualified! my career for the past ten years has all been managerial positions and i feel most places may be put off by that. all i'm looking for is an 'easy' job to get me back into work but not sure how to adapt my cv to suit that!

[LoveBeingAMummy]

I am worried about this, but from doing interviewing I was always worried they weren't going to be there very long and were just looking for something to fill in till they got something else so I will be making sure they understand this is not the case.

[Snowybird]

I looked for a year before getting a job - and indeed I am overqualified for it.

During that year I found that going for a lower-level job is inevitable after a career break - the main thing is that you have got back. So few mums do unfortunately.

Just keep on going for interviews and be totally honest about your career break to be with the children. Don't take the rejections too seriously (they are nervous about having someone with such great experience in such an ordinary job). Sooner or later someone will realize what a great deal it is for them to have a senior person in a fairly rank and file job. It worked for me - eventually.
Good luck!

[Mamulik]

What about little lie? you can wright in your CV whatever you want, so dont put in your management experience.

[mjwh]

Tiggsy, I know that one. Started applying for jobs three weeks ago - all roles that I'm massively over-qualified for and I was paranoid that recruiters wouldn't touch me.

However, to my great relief I've been invited to 4 interviews, attended two and been offered jobs by both. So if my experience is anything to go by, you needn't worry about recruiters being put off by your CV, they'll be well used to seeing "over-qualified" applicants at the mo, and happy to take your qualifications and experience in a much more junior role.

Like MissisBoot says, definitely best to emphasise your transferable skills that are relevant to the specific role you're applying for, and mention but don't focus on your management ones if they're not needed in the post you're going for.

Best wishes with your search.

[BigGobMum]

Tiggsy I wouldnt worry about being overqualified. I think there must be many, many unemployed people qualified and experienced in all sorts of things applying for any job thats going at the moment, even easy minimum wage jobs. You are not alone!

[tiggsy]

just sending off speculative letters as there are very few jobs going at the moment, guess i could make skills general and have covering letter more specific

[MissisBoot]

play down your management skills and build up areas such as team work, using initiative etc.

make your cover letter and cv specific to the post you are applying for rather than sending off the same cv for all applications.