Question:  

What do if I'm told I'm "too qualified" for a position?

Answer:  

Singing the Too-Qualified Blues

Many job seekers who are over age 50 complain that it’s difficult to get in the door for interviews because they are “too qualified” for certain positions, even though they would seriously consider the positions in question. Some people in that situation have asked me if it’s a good idea to “dumb down” their resumes. Further, they wonder if there are any particular things that older job seekers should make sure to include in resumes, cover letters and interviews.

If you think your age will work against you in the job market, you are probably right. But don’t sabotage your job search with negative thoughts! Take heart: “baby boomers” and other oldsters are staying in the workforce. Studies show that as of 2006, close to 40% of American workers are 45 years old or older.¹

I have always considered “too qualified” a euphemistic way of saying, “I don’t want to hire you and it’s easier to compliment your qualifications and scoot you out the door than tell you the real reason I don’t want to hire you.” But why do some employers shy away from hiring older people? It’s because there are a number of real or imagined liabilities associated with age: decreased physical and mental abilities, obsolete skills and knowledge, increased illnesses and absences, higher salary and health-care costs, and alleged stubbornness and inability to work with younger people.

The key is to counter these preconceptions. Are you staying fit physically and mentally? Are you staying current in skills and information? Are you expanding your horizons of interest, experience and knowledge? Are you able to convey those realities in interviews and networking conversations?

Older people are more active and living longer than any previous generation could have imagined. Age is an advantage in terms of work ethic, general knowledge, experience, wisdom, strength of convictions, ability to mentor young staff members, and business skills applicable to business needs.

With regard to “dumbing down” a resume: if this means understating your capabilities and accomplishments, and making yourself appear less valuable than you really are, then, “NO!” On the other hand, it’s good to focus your resume on a particular area you want to emphasize, while downplaying skills and abilities that you are less interested in using. In crafting your resume, make sure that it is future-directed to show where you want to go, what you can do and what you want to do.

Finally, remember that salary questions are essentially questions about money, not age. If you have stayed current in skills, knowledge and ability, you should be looking for jobs that pay appropriately.

¹Figures from the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Thomas W. Morris III

President

Morris Associates, Inc.

Washington, DC 20003

(202)290-3061

mail@morrisdc.com

www.morrisdc.com