Is there actually such a thing as being overqualified for a job? As it turns out, Thrivas, a leader among staffing agencies in Tampa FL, has found that our clients feel there is such a thing. As you learn how to answer interview questions, you’re going to discover that if this statement comes up during your interview, there are two things you need to keep in mind.
In the first place, this isn’t the interviewer being nice. If you’re not qualified for the job, the company isn’t going to be looking to soften the blow. They’re not going to be caustic about it, but they’re not going to go to any great lengths to spare your feelings.
In the second place, being told you’re overqualified for job does not mean you’re sunk. There are indeed interview answers that can be utilized in this situation. There are things you can say that will not only keep you in the hunt, but quite possibly increase your chances of being hired. Learning how to answer interview questions goes well beyond simply knowing what to say. You also need to learn when the time is right to say the things that are going to impress employers, and bring you that much closer to getting the job you’re after.
Being Overqualified
In order to avoid losing out because you’re apparently overqualified for the job, there are things you can do before and during the interview. There are also interview answers that can steer things away from this topic, if it seems like things are getting close to that suggestion, or if the interviewer has already said it.
Keep these tips in mind if you would like to avoid or overcome the “overqualified for the job” interview obstacle:
- Stay away from jobs that are well below your qualifications. Unless you absolutely have no choice, avoid job interviews for positions that are dramatically below you current experience level/salary range.
- Make it clear in the interview that you’re not just looking for a temporary position. Interviewers can become concerned that an applicant is only looking at the job as a means of tiding them over, until something better comes along. Throughout the interview, do not give the interviewer any reason to consider this possibility.
- If the overqualified for job statement does come up, relax. Use the opportunity to calmly and confidently explain why the job is by no means beneath you. Mention the challenges and responsibilities within the position that appeal to you.
- Ask for clarification. If the issue comes up, simply and very politely ask for details, then address those details appropriately.
Thrivas staffing agency hopes this helps!
Find a job by searching below
- STORE MANAGER IN COLUMBUS, OH
Dollar General — Columbus,OHWork Where You Matter At Dollar General, our mission is Serving Others! We value each and every one of our employees. Whether you are looking to launch a new career...
- Stokes Educational Scholarship Program - Language (Maryland)
National Security Agency — Grove City,OHFort George G. Meade Complex, MD Pay Plan: GG, Grade: 02/1 to 02/10 Open: 2026-09-01, Close: 2026-09-30 Responsibilities As a participant in the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program ' Language, you...
- Reconciliations Specialist
Creative Financial Staffing — Columbus,OHReconciliations Specialist We're seeking a detail-oriented Reconciliations Specialist to support a fast-paced audit preparation project. This role focuses on completing accurate account reconciliations, resolving discrepancies, and...
- Store Supervisor - #767
Sheetz — Columbus,OHAdditional Job Info: Additional $1.50/hr. for working 10pm-6am Overview: Ready for a career with limitless growth opportunities at a company that PROVES they value you, every single day? If you...
- Appliance Delivery Driver
Temco Logistics — Grove City,OHTemco Logistics, the fastest-growing appliance delivery and installation company in the U.S., is expanding in Grove City, OH! We're looking for motiva...
- Hospital Appeals-Billing Specialist | Memorial Health
Memorial Hospital — Marysville,OHJob Opportunity What You'll Do: Understands payer requirements per hospital contracts and payer policies, ensuring adherence to all payer requirements. Knowledge of payer contracts specific to timely filing deadlines and...
- Lead Collection Specialist
OneMain Financial — Columbus,OHOur Lead Collection Specialists help drive performance across an assigned district by working directly with customers and supporting branch...
- Internal Revenue Agent (Sr Exempt Organizations Examiner) - Temp NTE 1 YR MBE 3YRS MBMP
IRS — Columbus,OHDuties The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade...
- Cashier
Pilot Company — Circleville,OHCompany Description Pay Rates Starting between: $12.20 - $16.53 / hour Are you passionate about team building, customer service, and meeting new people? Pilot Company offers a dynamic environment where...
- Customer Service Associate I
Family Dollar — Grove City,OHWeu2019re seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: + Assist...
- Non-Clinical - Legal - Legal Assistant
Reliant Staffing Solutions — Columbus,OHLegal Executive Assistant I OhioHealth is seeking a professional and highly organized Legal Executive Assistant I to support the Legal Department. This individual will professionally represent OhioHealth when interacting with...
- Need Work? Want to help people? Become a Senior Caregiver
MissionCare — Columbus,OHNeed Work? Want to help people? Become a Senior Caregiver We recognize that many individuals have been laid off due to the coronavirus or may be seeking additional hours.We can...
- Live Event Producer and Show Caller
Mills James — Columbus,OHBring Extraordinary Experiences to Life At Mills James, we create experiences that inspire audiences, strengthen brands, and deliver unforgettable moments. We're looking for an experienced Live Event Producer who thrives...
- Court Reporter
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Columbus,OHCourt Reporter The purpose of this position is to create verbatim records of court proceedings; prepare accurate transcripts; transcribe transcripts from audio recordings; review transcripts to ensure accuracy, certify and...
- Case Manger
Alvis — Columbus,OHJob Title Case Management, Re-Entry, Case Worker Location 2100 Stella Court, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States Base Pay $20.00 - $24.00 / Hour Industry Non-Profit, Social Work,...
- Dedicated Dry Van Truck Driving Job in Delaware, OH ($1,400-$1,600/Wk)
Mesilla Valley Transportation — Delaware,OHDedicated Dry Van Truck Driving Job - Delaware, OhioOhioHiring Dedicated Dry Van...
- Child Watch Coordinator - North YMCA
YMCA — Columbus,OHYouth Development Coordinator Location: 1640 Sandalwood Place, Columbus, OH, 43229, United States Base Pay: $16.00 / Hour Job Category: Youth Development Employee Type: Part Time Required Degree: High...
- Short-Term IT Certificate Programs
Columbus State Community College — Columbus,OHLooking to launch or grow a career in IT—without the time or cost of a full degree? Columbus State Community College's Short-Term IT Certificate programs are non-credit, so you can...
- Inbound Sales Consultant
Deluxe — Columbus,OHWhy Join Us Be part of an organization that's driving change and consistently recognized as a top employer. At Deluxe, we know that great people build great companies—and we invest...
- Veterinary Technician
VCA Animal Hospitals — Columbus,OHVeterinary Technician at VCA Sawmill Animal Hospital in Columbus, OH Schedule: Full-time opportunity,...
- Healthcare - Appeals Specialist I
Saviance — Columbus,OHMember Complaint Resolution Specialist Candidates must live in one of the preferred 15 states (AZ, FL, GA, ID, IA, KY, MI, NE, NM, NY (outside greater-NYC), OH, TX, UT, WA...
- Leave of Absence Coordinator
Sedgwick — New Albany,OHLeave Of Absence Coordinator By joining Sedgwick, you'll be part of something truly meaningful. It's what our 33,000 colleagues do every day for people around the world who are facing...
- QA Compliance Specialist - Controlled Substances
McKesson — Columbus,OHQA Compliance Specialist - Controlled Substances McKesson is an impact-driven, Fortune 10 company that touches virtually every aspect of healthcare. We are known for delivering insights, products, and services that...
- Retail Warehouse Associate
Best Buy — Columbus,OHAs a Retail Warehouse Associate, you'll help us create great shopping experiences by keeping our sales floor stocked and preparing online orders to be shipped to...
- Compliance Specialist
Express Employment Professionals — Dublin,OHCompliance Specialist Location: Dublin, OH Job Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week) Schedule: Monday–Friday / Day Shift Pay: $21.00/hour Position Overview We are seeking a dependable and skilled Compliance Specialist to...
- Associate I, Legal Claims Administration
Stretto — Columbus,OHAssociate – Legal Class Action Settlement Administration We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate to join our Legal Class Action Settlement Team. As a leader in risk management and...
- Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher
Care Options for Kids Careers — Lancaster,OHAdaptive Physical Education Teacher (APE)– School-Based Services Location: Lancaster, OH Schedule: School-Based | Daytime Hours Pay: 43-48 per hour A Role That...
- Experienced Border Patrol Agent – Up to $60K in Incentives
U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Hilliard,OHBorder Patrol Agent (BPA) – in the Federal Security and Public Safety Sector Experienced (GL-9 GS-11) SAME MISSION, NEW DRIVE! You love protecting your community and doing your part to...
- Pick/Pack
ACCEL — Grove City,OHPick/Pack - New Albany At Job&Talent, we are recruiting for Pick/Pack to work with a leading manufacturing company in New Albany. This full-time, in-person role offers hands-on experience in the...
- SFMC
Staffing — Columbus,OHJob Title-SFMC Safelite Columbus OH Rate $65/hr on W2 or $75/hr on 1099 NO C2C. Visa any Remote is ok but candidate who can work in hybrid will be great...
- Taco Bell - Crew Member - Hilliard - Urgently Hiring
Taco Bell — Hilliard,OHTaco Bell - Hilliard Rome Road is looking for a full time or part time crew member to join our team in Hilliard, OH. As a Taco Bell - Hilliard...
- Epic Systems Analyst - Link, Care Everywhere, Compass Rose
OhioHealth — Columbus,OHWe are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could use an...
- Student Opportunities - Law Clerk
Cincinnati Financial — Columbus,OHLaw Clerk Build your future with us Our Staff Counsel office in Columbus, Ohio is currently seeking a second-year law student for a paid law clerk position to serve in-house...
- SFMC
Georgia IT — Columbus,OHJob Title-SFMC Safelite Columbus OH Rate $65/hr on W2 or $75/hr on 1099 NO C2C. Visa any Remote is ok but candidate who can work in hybrid will be great...
- Student Ministry Coordinator – Pickerington Campus
Vineyard Christian Fellowship — Pickerington,OHStudent Ministry Coordinator The Student Ministry Coordinator at our Pickerington Campus is a part-time (32 hours/week) ministry leadership role that plays a key role in helping students discover and follow...
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Franklin County DD — Columbus,OHJob Title Location 2879 JOHNSTOWN RD, COLUMBUS, OH, 43219, United States Base Pay $21.08 - $25.09 / Hour ...
- Public Assistance Case Manager
Union County, OH — Marysville,OHJob Title Our Mission: Through compassion and dedication, we support and strengthen individuals and families in Union County. Are you compassionate about helping others? Do you want to make a...
- Chaplain
US Government Jobs — Columbus,OHCorrections Professionals Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. ...
- Safety Coordinator
MAC Safety — Columbus,OHSafety Professional We at MAC Safety seek out the best and brightest safety professionals in the country. With our current clientele, we are able to place safety professionals in fast-paced...
- Compliance Officer - Real Estate Lending and Enterprise Default
KeyCorp — Columbus,OHCompliance Officer Location: 4910 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn Ohio About the Job The Compliance Officer will be a member of the Real Estate Lending and Enterprise Default team within Compliance Risk...