Sometimes, either because you’re looking for work to do in retirement or you’re just looking for a change, you may be overlooked by prospective employers because you’re TOO qualified. Here are some tips for tailoring your skills and resume to that job you want but might be overqualified for:
1. Customize your resume: Instead of using the executive summary to list all of your skills, just align it with the skills required for the job you’re applying for (that’s a good tip for any resume writing!). Be brief in the rest of your resume and focus on specific and transferrable skills rather than managerial experience.
2. Tailor your cover letter: Carefully research the company: look at the kinds of people they have previously employed and their areas of expertise. Identify any possible gaps of experience that you could fill. There is no harm in addressing that you’re overqualified for the job. You can use that information to your advantage: tell the employer why your experience makes you the right candidate for their job.
3. Prepare for the interview: Consider possible answers to questions about being overqualified for the job. You can reiterate the points you made in your cover letter and also explain why you’re interested in this job. For example, you could explain that while you have years of managerial experience, you’re approaching retirement and looking for less responsibility but a steady and reliable job. Or, you could explain that matching your current salary isn’t a priority for you and you’re more interested in the prospects within the organization.
4. Sell yourself: Use your research about the company and the job to sell your unique skills and experience.
5. Remember: employers are focused on picking people who will stick around, not someone who will take the job until something better comes along. Be prepared to change their perceptions!
