Blogging to my dream job – Day 2. Are you over qualified? I am so sick of hearing that I am “just over qualified” for this position or that position. What in the heck is “overqualified” anyway? Can someone tell me? Please? Most of these jobs require (at minimum) a bachelor’s degree. Well, I went back to school, got the bachelor’s degree and graduated in December of 2009. So, since I am now a new bachelored prepared candidate, how does that make me “overqualified”? Frustrating!
How do I navigate the system these days? What are these Human Resources departments looking for? I have submitted over 300 resumes in the last few months for jobs in the US, EU, Australia and New Zealand. I have had a few nibbles but that is about it. I don’t get it yet. It seems to me that the “Human” has gone out of the “Resources”. I am told by most employers that I have to submit my resume through the internet. This means that they never meet me, they don’t know any of my crossover skills, and they don’t know who I am as a person. All the HR Department sees is that I have been in business for myself for the past ten years. Nobody asked me if I wanted to be in business for myself. I was in business for myself out of necessity, but what I really want is to be part of an industry team that is doing important and exciting work. How do I get that out there without sounding too desperate and how do I break down those barriers so that HR departments do not think that I am “overqualified”?
So, yesterday, after my first official blog, I got inspired. I applied for a great job in Hong Kong. It is for a Clinical Manager for a company that makes dialysis equipment. It is a great opportunity but I never expected to get a response. I changed my approach by constructing a well worded cover letter outlining my goals and my sincere interest in the position.
I am very excited about this opportunity and I have my fingers crossed that they look at me as a viable candidate. Lo and behold, I received a response from HR. I don’t know where this one will go but wish me luck.
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I'm with you, I love that term "overqualified", you would think that employers would love someone that had more to offer than what they need. I guess employers are scared that you really don't want that job and when something better comes along you will jump ship. Although in my experience unless you really hate the job from the outset most people tend to stay in a job longer than just a short time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insight. You know, the other thing is that in this economy, people are not "jumping ship". They are staying with companies. I know that I am looking for something long term.
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