Chances are you find it hard to understand why knowing what needs to be done doesn’t automatically translate into concrete and effective action. When it comes to being overqualified, there are very few resources that actually give you a blueprint. At best, your college counselors, and even labor representatives will help you polish your resume, or show you ways to improve your performance during an interview. What they most likely won’t do is tell you how to gear each part of your job hunting process to overcoming issues associated with being overqualified. As may be expected, when you don’t know how to do something, you will make a lot of mistakes, and eventually feel that finding a job is impossible.

I will never tell you that rebuilding your career is easy. I have done it three times; and each time was a struggle I could have done without. Nevertheless, what I learned over the years amounts to a literal treasure trove of advice on how to get a job when you are overqualified. If you need a blueprint, then let me show you what needs to be done. I sincerely hope that you will visit my website, and learn more about my ebook, Overcoming the Overqualified Myth. If you can’t get a job, and don’t know where to start, this book will take you from the initial phone call right through post-interview follow up.

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2. Even if the assignment is temporary, don’t be fooled, your performance is being assessed for consideration for permanent employment.

3. Sometimes a company will extend job offers on the spot at career expos. The offers are usually contingent on the passing of a drug screen and background check.

4. Join a professional association and volunteer to assist with their events, you will be sure to network with key industry professionals.

5. If you believe you can perform the job duties but are lacking the degree or certification still go ahead and apply. For certain roles the need for a degree or certification can be waived. Also, for some jobs if you show that you have a plan in place to complete your degree or certification within a certain time-frame you will be considered for the role.

6. Relocation assistance is usually reserved for upper level management roles. If a position is listed as not providing relocation assistance be prepared to make the move without any help. Being open to relocation has been crucial in helping many people receive wonderful job opportunities and upward mobility in their careers. If you are flexible and open to relocating without assistance you will become a stronger candidate. At some appropriate time in the interview process (perhaps after a successful in-person interview) inform the recruiter that you are aware that no relocation assistance is provided but you would be grateful for any type of assistance if an offer were to be extended. Often H.R. will be able to arrange for a bonus of anywhere from $1,000 – $5,000 to be included in the offer to offset relocation expenses.

7. The average yearly cost to provide healthcare benefits to an employee is $9,312 and climbing!

8. If you are faced with having to take a pay-cut in order to accept an offer with a more prestigious company you would be wise to accept the offer. In the long-run having worked for the prestigious, highly reputable company will enhance your career. Your background will appear more desirable to recruiters and hiring managers. You will undoubtedly learn skills and processes that will strengthen your ability to perform in the workplace.

9. One of the biggest lies out there is that a resume needs to be one page long. It is perfectly fine to have a resume up to three pages long. If you are a seasoned professional you will probably need more than one page to list your job duties and overall skill-set.

10. Don’t list the date that you graduated from college on your resume.

11. Don’t include in your resume, cover letter or email little sayings; no one cares if you believe that ‘an apple a day, keeps the doctor away’ or whatever your passion/belief is.

12. There are 4 main reasons why a recruiter will quickly pass up your profile that you have created on their career site, they are: Poor grammar and spelling. Improper usernames and passwords. Applying to too many jobs, i.e. applying to over 30 jobs will make you appear as though you don’t know what you are looking for. A lousy resume that lacks critical information.

13. There is a great demand for over-50 applicants to fill positions of employment. Mature workers bring with them dependability and a rich source of knowledge. If you are right for the role, then you are right for the role whether you are 29 or 59 years of age…especially if you have the right certifications or degrees.

14. It is a major turn-off for a recruiter to see the word ‘confidential’ listed anywhere on a resume.

15. For some candidates it can be a fine line between persistence and stalking the recruiter. Leave no more than just one voice message and email per week for the recruiter.

16. When you return a call or email from a recruiter provide your first and last name, indicate the nature of your call and the best way to get back in touch with you. Most recruiters have over 50 candidates that they interact with on a weekly basis thus it will be frustrating for them to receive a return call from ‘Nancy’; don’t assume you are on a first name basis…unless of course you are the stalker mentioned in the previous secret. Also, do not sign any of your email with only your first name. Good communication skills are becoming more and more difficult to find from job seekers. Taking the time to address the recruiter in a detailed and professional manner will put you heads and tails above the other candidates.

17. To be as visible as possible, post your resume on the job boards, create profiles on the social networks and join internet user groups.

18. When asked about your computer skills don’t reply, “All of the Microsoft Suite.” Instead break down the exact MS software you have experience with, i.e. MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint. Don’t forget to mention which email software you use, whether it be Outlook, Lotus Notes or an in-house package.

19. Don’t be vague and general when answering interview questions. Try to be as specific and detailed as possible.

20. One of the most under-rated (by job seekers) yet most in-demand skills, that the hiring authority is looking for in a candidate, is the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel. Excellent written communication skills are especially in demand. Well thought out email messages free of spelling and grammatical errors will set you apart from everyone else.

21. Never to proceed to conduct a phone interview if the conditions are not ideal. Don’t try to eat, drink, wash dishes, supervise children or take a long vigorous walk (we can hear your slight panting loud and clear) while conducting a phone screen.

22. No matter how informal the interview setting the interviewer should never ask you questions pertaining to your race, age, religion, whether or not you are pregnant or disabled. If an interviewer blatantly or mistakenly asks you a question relative to one of these topics, simply respond with, ‘I’d rather not answer that question.’ and quickly change the subject.

23. During the final interview process it is ok to mention any impending vacations or special events that you have already arranged and will require time off for if hired. I have never witnessed a qualified candidate being turned down for a job offer because they will need time off within a few weeks of their start date. Some companies will allow you to use your paid vacation time up front while others will let you have the time off without pay but I have never heard of a company not letting you take the time off if you mentioned the need to take the time off prior to an offer being extended to you.

24. After you agree to the terms of your offer letter you should prepare a letter for your current employer informing them that you are resigning. Thank your employer for the opportunity to work with them and be sure to list the date that you intend to be your last day of employment.

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First of all, keep in mind that a work resume is not simply a history outline of what you did during your life to put bread on the table and support a family. It’s an action adventure story on how you endured more than fifty years of hand to hand combat in life and came out victorious.

List your jobs certainly, but don’t just give work titles. Describe how your employers prospered by your accomplishments on board. Tell how much you liked the work, all the jobs, even the supervisor, and appreciated the company. If the business grew and prospered while you were there, give some dollar figures on growth and how much you helped the company prosper.

How about your hobbies? Do you like fishing? Mention it. Do you bowl? Talk about it. Use action and emotional words and phrases. You’re human, and a professional, show it.

Look for the kind of employment that you personally want. Seek out companies you like. Read the job want ads in the local newspapers, and apply for work that was advertised a month ago and is no longer being advertised currently. Many advertisers just pull their ads because they haven’t filled them yet and have given up hope.

As a senior, you offer prospective employers some qualities that are in short supply these days. To name a few attributes they’re looking for, dependability ranks high. Employers want someone who is going to be punctual and constant in their attendance. As a senior, you come from a past time that taught qualities of work that are somewhat muted today. Emphasize them in
your job seeking.

Senior job opportunities are out there. Go for them and don’t stop until you get one.

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