Pitching for a lower-level job after redundancy

bluecastle

I was made redundant just before Xmas so am now in the market for a new job. I've seen jobs that are at a lower level from the one I was last in that match my skills and are in line with what I'd like to do (less management and paperwork, more hands-on stuff).

However, I don't know (a) whether an organisation would seriously consider an application from someone who appears overqualified and (b) how best to pitch myself so as not to appear desperate.

If anyone has ideas or has successfully got a job at a lower level it would be great to hear more.

marybelle01

Sounds like you did it in the first paragraph! In your position that is what I would say - I actually prefer the hands on stuff to the management and paperwork, and that I would prfer to trade the expectation of higher pay for the job satisfaction.

LadyMissA

bluecastle wrote: »

I was made redundant just before Xmas so am now in the market for a new job. I've seen jobs that are at a lower level from the one I was last in that match my skills and are in line with what I'd like to do (less management and paperwork, more hands-on stuff).

However, I don't know (a) whether an organisation would seriously consider an application from someone who appears overqualified and (b) how best to pitch myself so as not to appear desperate.

If anyone has ideas or has successfully got a job at a lower level it would be great to hear more.

I have been applying for jobs I am over qualified for as I need a job but get no where. The last one even had the cheek to tell me I wasn't succesful as the job would be lots of photocopying, faxing and scanning.

There are a lot of people who say dumb down your CV to get the job but then you are just kidding everyone.

I have no advice on how to pitch yourself for a lower job as dont we all spend our time pitching for the same level and that's hard enough.

getmore4less

Agree with MB01 you are part way there with what you said allready.

Also depends on the field, some you can focus/emphasize technical skills over management skills.

Be aware that some places may be looking for people to progress so playing down the skills for obvious next step may be negative.

Another angle is to be very positive about the employer.

How big a difference is there in the packages for the higher job against the lessor ones.

lesleyb

I was made redundant just over 3 years ago from a management position and now work in a totally different role to the one that I held then.
I agree with the previous comments, sometimes we need different things at different times in our lives.
Talk positively about the position and how you think you would be ideal for it. some of the skills you used in your previous role will still be relevant.
I started in my current job the week after I was made redundant and love every minute of my working day.
HTH

t0rt0ise

I'm now in a lower level job than I've done before. I think you just have to keep going until you find an employer who likes the idea of a more mature and experienced person. I found such an employer and in fact several people at my work are older and winding down before retirement. Not suggesting you are older because I have no idea but whatever your situation you just have to come across that employer so keep applying.

wolvesinwales

I found similar problems after 25 years experience of Logistics supervision and production planning i was made redundant and there are very limited openings in my area now for a person of my age (49) I applied for any job that i am capable of and found i got very little response and at the few interviews i got my motives were questioned for applying for relatively menial jobs.
I found a solution was to register for an agency , whos main concern is if you would be reliable, and i got a machine operator job within 1 mile of my house which i did for 6 months on the minimum wage boosted a bit by a shift allowance, i did a bit of inspection work in this temp job which greatly helped when i applied for a logistics / inspection role with another company.
I start my new job in 3 weeks on a much higher salary than i have ever had in the past so 6 months of boring manual work has worked out as a great help to me.

slig

I agree with Marybelle, you've given a good explanation of why you are interested in lower roles.

I think you should target your CV to the job/type of job you are applying for (which is good practice anyway). Make sure that you are emphasizing relevant skills, but don't feel you have to dumb it down - just re-focus it. Show that you are really interested in this role, and aren't just applying for anything. One of their concerns will be that you will be on the lookout for something better and will leave - so show them that this job is exactly what you're looking for. Make it clear that you're looking for a role you enjoy in a respected company in which you can develop your skills over a number of years.

You've clearly thought about what you want, so you just need to make sure that comes across in your CV, covering letter, and interview.