by Peter Lampros

Created on: March 08, 2009

A job interview or application is designed to determine whether the candidate has the appropriate qualifications and/or experience to perform the prospective job. The first thing the candidate should do is use introspect to determine what qualifications he or she has. Then he or she should research the position to determine the qualifications required for the position. The comparison of these two lists will allow the candidate to know exactly what qualities or qualifications could make them "overqualified".

The candidate should leave off any qualification that is not required for the position sought, as long as that qualification does not bring added value to the table. If the qualification can be construed as adding value to the candidate's performance of the job, or if it in some way saves the prospective employer time, money, or resources it should be left on the resume/application. In today's tough economic times employers are very receptive to any proposal which saves them bottom line dollars.

Often times a candidate is more qualified and more highly educated than the person interviewing them or issuing the application. This should be downplayed at all costs. The more humble the overqualified candidate the lower the chances that they will be stamped with the "overqualified" label early on in the process. Once in the interview with someone at or above the level the candidate held previously, the candidate must use sound judgment to determine just how much "light" to let shine. This revelation of qualifications and credentials, at the appropriate time, can open up avenues later on. The candidate, however, must trust his/her instincts. Often times it is better to get the position and then let the qualifications be known. If there is any doubt as to whether the revelation will benefit it should be avoided.

People with professional qualifications and advanced degrees often speak in eloquent terms. The candidate must be aware of this and adjust accordingly. He or she does not benefit from appearing daft or illiterate, but appearing aloof and overqualified can be just as detrimental. He or she should use plain, simple English and should employ the use of contractions, if not a light degree of slang.

As with all interview, special attention must be paid to appearance and grooming. The opposite is true, however, when considering over qualifications. The candidate may not want to wear the $500 suit with the Armani cologne to the interview. These are dead giveaways that the candidate is or has been affluent and can group him or her into the overqualified stack of candidates. As more professionals find themselves in the job market, the candidate must walk a fine line between showing that they are competent and stand apart from other less qualified people, while showing that they are real people, standing apart from the other professionals who will be deemed overqualified.

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