Overqualified, but willing! please advise...

[mirasal]

Has anyone wanted a job really badly even though you are a little overqualified for it?

There's a job I'm really interested in, but I'm concerned that the employer will think I'm too overqualified. It's a technical, non-growth-oriented job (with fair pay) that requires an associate's degree or equivalent work experience.

I have a bachelor's from Yale and plan on going to grad school some day. In the meantime, I just want a permanent, full-time, not incredibly stressful job while I pay my bills and take evening classes. I'm concerned that the employers will think that I'm not a stable candidate and might leave shortly to continue my studies or take a more exciting job. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I don't mind the mundane work it would require, and I don't plan on studying full time for another couple of years.

Should I convey this to them? Is two years even a long time, or would they think that our generation so flighty with employment that we think two years is a long time? I heard that some people are turned down to work as policemen because their IQ scores were too high and the force was worried that they'd get bored and leave. What's a good way to show employers how willing and enthusiastic you are about a mundane job??

[Phoenix]

Good questions... I don't think you should tell the employers you are interested in going back to school...UNLESS they are really into the fact that the person is interested in learning and continuing education to advance themselves in a higher position w/ their company or something. It can count as a strike against you and they may not consider you for the job.

I had applied for a job as a legal secretary (job was literally minutes from my house - also a perk) b/c I was interested in law and learning more about it. But they were looking for someone who would be there for a CAREER as a secretary. I couldn't tell them I was interested in working there for only a few years until I saved some $ to pay bills, got some experience, and then went to law school. Plus they knew that someone of my intelligence and GPA could go to law school if they wanted to.

What I had to convince them of was I wouldn't mind doing a job that I was overqualified for if it was challenging enough and I felt I was doing something worthwhile everyday. (they kind of liked that answer.) Don't (obviously) say to the employer that you're ok w/ 'mundane' work. They won't like that verbiage. Convince them by showing them how eager and interested you are in the job during the interview. Do a followup letter after the interview as well that conveys your continued interest the position.

It depends on what industry exactly you're looking in as to whether they consider 2 years a long time. For the computer industry, (and maybe this is a thing of the past w/ the crash in the computer industry) 2 years can be a long time. But to others, 2 years is almost nothing as far as time is concerned. Example: some employers looking for entry level positions require 2-3 years of experience.

Hope this helps.

[dinochica]

I recently found myself in almost the exact same situation, mirasal. I was just out of college and took a job for which I felt I was overqualified. I was very open about my desire to return to school for a Masters degree; I would advise you to do the same. I'm going to stay at my current job for at least three years while going to graduate school at night.

In my first and second interview for the job, we talked a lot about my return to school. I realize not every situation is the same, but it worked out well for me. My boss even worked out a tuition assistance plan so even though my salary is below what other grads in my class might make, it balances out.

Is there a way that you could convince the employer that by hiring you, they're making an investment? Could the skills you gain in graduate school be beneficial to the company?

I would advise you to be honest in your interviews. Two or three years at a "starter" job should not come back to haunt you.

I hate hearing about situations (like the police force you mentioned) where people assign sterotypes based on resume information and don't give people a chance to explain their goals or current situation. I wouldn't want to work for someone like that anyway.