Fighting the label of being Overqualified in Jamaica
Never count on your education or professional background as a sure win that will guarantee you an interview. These qualifications may in fact hinder your chances.
Today it is very common to for employers to dismiss a job applicant because they are “overqualified”. The Job Search market here in Jamaica has many qualified candidates but there are not enough jobs. This has lead more candidates to apply for positions that are lower than their level of expertise. The challenge for today’s job applicants is not simply competing with so many other applicants, but finding a fine balance of information to place on their resume without coming off as being overqualified.
Employers however are more reluctant to select you for these jobs as they fear that whenever a job comes up which is more fitting to your skills, you will pack up and leave them. Employers are also very much aware of the current economic situation and may even see you as just being desperate to find any job.
Why is your brilliant application or resume thrown in the trash?
- The Desperate Job Search applicant. The applicant failed to explain why someone who is obviously more advanced or experienced would want to work at this low level. They are seen as someone who will leave when a better offer appears.
- The incompetent applicant. The job applicant has many years of experience at the same position but has never given an explanation as to why they have never applied for a promotion. They are however seen as a liability.
- The expensive applicant. The job applicant was earning more than the very top of the hiring company’s salary range. They are seen as someone who is just completely out of touch with reality.
- The been-there, done-that applicant. This job applicant passed this level years ago, and for whatever reasons wishes to return to that level -but without explanation and could be perceived as washed-up, burnt-out, and in the worst cases, too old
- Let your network speak for you. Recommendations from peaple who knows you are way more valuable than what you have to say about yourself. Use people from your network to make the first pitch for you.
- Take salary off the table.Demonstrate clearly in the beginning that you are flexible about salary and that you previous salary is no relevant to your current job search.
- Reveal financial advantages of hiring you. If you suspect salary will be a concern, use specific examples from your past experiences to show how you increased revenue generation and/or cut costs/realized increased savings.
- Focus more on skills and accomplishments than job titles. Use the employer's own words from the job description to display that your skills match perfectly while at the same time downplaying skills that are not required for this job.
- Write your cover letter to give a sufficient explanation as to why you want the job and how your experience, skills and talent make you the right fit. The last thing an employer wants is a new hire who took the job because he couldn’t get anything better and is just settling. Give the employer confidence that you are challenged by the opportunity and will be there a year from now.