Overqualified! cant get an interview

westv

Errata wrote: »

Register with an agency and temp. That will demonstrate you're happy to do a low ranking job on minimum wage.

i don't know what it's like where the OP lives but, where I am, I've registered with agencies for any type of work (temp, perm, contract etc) for any wage but haven't been put forward for anything.

teabelly

Could you train others to do what you do and do it well? If so, set up your own consultancy instead. Then you can work hours more to suit you.

surreybased

I share your pain - The challenge seems to be that in this recession women are being hardest hit by job losses and part time jobs are highly sought after.

In addition employers will receive many applications from applicants who have direct and recent experience. i.e reception work.
Whilst I'm sure you could do the job (have the skills etc) others will be able to demonstrate that they have done the job and might even be in a similar company. If you, as an employer, had the choice what would you choose ? a candidate with no direct experience (but maybe high calibre) or one with recent and extensive experience of the role.

I had zero luck applying for roles in different industries but greater success in applying for jobs in my 'old' industry..Could you try this? Apply for roles in your sector so that you demonstrate industry experience.

That said I've just been offered a job BUT it's 40 hours per week (so hardly part time) and I'm debating if I have to take it and then try and negotiate lower hours when in the job and I've proved myself.

theoretica

mickeyfinn1 wrote: »

Thanks for your comments.
I know I can get my old job back because I have had several offers from companies who have approached me but I really do want part time. I can't commit to the hours and travelling I used to do.

Would negotiating a part time role with less travelling be possible with any of these?

I knew someone who was wildly overqualified, but got the role he wanted with a convering letter that acknowledged that fact and went on to say why he wanted the particular role he was applying for and would stick to it.

fluffy70

One suggestion could be to redo your CV - don't necessarily dumb it down as you never know what other positions could come up and if your original CV states that you for example don't have a degree, and you then turn around and start to apply for higher positions they may look at your CV on file and dismiss your applications as not qualified/ experienced enough. How about creating a tailored CV for a specific position that you go for, therefore not appearing over qualified. Ensure that you get the interview, sell yourself but one major reason that prospective employers won't employ someone overqualified on paper is that they seem to have the suspicion that the candidate is only stop gapping and once the perfect job comes up, they're off.

The previous suggestion of temping is probably the best one - it gets you in and noticed.

Good Luck in your job hunt.

ammiLy

I have a similar problem as OP. I am highly qualified and specialised but have been applying for jobs outside of my area. I spend time on each application to tailor it to the job spec, use wording similar to that in the ad (if they want autonomous working rather than individual, that's what I do), mention the company and why I want to work for them, say what I can bring to the job, acknowledge the fact that I am not from that industry, but want to change my career because of x, y and z etc etc. And I don't even get interviews! The same is true for jobs in my field of expertise and those remotely related. I would've thought overqualification would not be an issue as significant proportion of jobs I go for are contract for 2-4 years anyway. Feedback on my CV and cover letters (whenever I managed to get it) was very good. Does anyone have any tips of how to sell myself for entry level jobs?
Thanks.

Pitchshifter

How about this, I applied for a job online, heard nothing then 2 weeks later the same job was reposted with the advert reworded to include the exact wording from my own CV regarding a previous job I'd had. (I'd had a strong feeling it was the same place I worked before) the agent has seen I'd worked for the compny before and lazily copied and pasted my own damn words!! You can't more exactly match a job description can you!
Oh and I'm still waiting for a reply to my direct email to the agent.

kkgree1

I recruit for Admin roles and I'd advise doing some voluntary work first before trying to find a job.

I took on a lady last year who was desperate to get back into work part-time after having her daughter (then 5). She had volunteered as a driver for the local community centre and this really set her apart from the other candidates. That and her enthusiasm that she just really wanted to work!

From a recruiting perspective, it's hard to imagine someone as previously successful as you doing a mundane admin job, so you need to get experience doing just that to get an interview. The same is true with graduates as well as I often think they will get bored easily and leave within 6 months.

I know this sounds really harsh but you'd be surprised how many candidates I've met with so little initiative! Enthusiasm and a willingness to muck in are key.

ammiLy

I appreciate, that enthusiasm is important and I try to sound enthusiastic in my cover letters. Given a chance I hope I would be able to demonstrate my enthusiasm and willingness to work at an interview, but no such chance
On my CV for "new career" jobs I have listed all part time jobs I had while studying for my degrees. Also refer back to them in cover letter to show how I can multi-task (study and work), am driven and reliable (was promoted and worked for the company for a long time, plus was employed for same summer-time position few years running), talk about my supervisory duties (people managing, budgets etc) and anything at all that I can relate to the ad. Is that a good approach? How much weight these things have as it's all a few years old?
It's so disheartening that nobody wants to employ a person who can learn on the job, grow and progress the career ladder because they are highly qualified in another area

copy

OP, give the British Legion a ring and see if there is any help they can give you.