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
- Senior Amazon Brand Manager
Sportique — Columbus,OHABOUT HIKE Hike is a fast-growing marketplace agency backed by Sportique, a global commerce platform with 17+ years of experience scaling, investing in, and acquiring premium brands. We help...
- Business Intelligence Analyst
Savills North America — Columbus,OHABOUT SAVILLS Savills is an organization full of extraordinary individuals. Brilliant people who are driven to succeed, hungry to remain at the forefront of their specialties, and eager to propel...
- Architectural Project Manager
M Moser Associates — Columbus,OHArchitecture Project Manager - Ground Up or Repositioning Location: New York, NY Type: Full-time | Hybrid About M Moser Associates At M Moser Associates, we design environments that empower...
- BIBIBOP Asian Grill - Team Member
BiBiBop Asian Grill — Columbus,OHAs a team member, you're fully immersed in the spirit of the establishment. You're high functioning, adaptable, and ready for whatever a customer throws at you. Working with other team...
- Food Runner - Hamilton Quarter Chili's
Chili's — Westerville,OHRole Overview Our Food Runners create an exceptional experience for our Guests and their fellow Team Members by sharing their passion for beverages, food, and people. We hire primarily food...
- Remote Sales Representative
Dependable Life Solutions — Columbus,OHDependable Life Solutions Dependable Life Solutions is building its next generation of sales leaders. We're hiring Remote Sales Representatives who want to prove themselves and grow into management — with...
- Technical Project Manager
Milestone Technologies — Columbus,OHData Security / DLP Technical Project Manager Long-term 6-month ++ contract for a Technical Project Manager who has supported data security projects. 100% remote $70 - $75.00 per hour w2...
- Registered Dietitian (RD) | OH License
Pomelo Care — Columbus,OHPomelo Care is the leading virtual medical practice for women and children, providing care across pregnancy, postpartum, pediatrics, menopause, and perimenopause. We combine proactive, 24/7 clinical care with technology...
- Senior Social Analyst
Paradowski Creative — Columbus,OHEmployment Type: Full-timeLocation: Remote (U.S.) | Preferred locations: St. Louis, MO; Kansas City, MO; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA About...
- Social Media Coach
Brand Operator LLC — Columbus,OHSocial Media Coach · Remote · Full-time · $6,000–$12,000 USD/month About Brand Operator Brand Operator builds personal brands for sales leaders and deploys custom systems that help them scale. We...
- Finance AI Researcher (FP&A, Accounting)
Halluminate — Columbus,OH🚀 Company Description: Halluminate is an applied AI and data company working with frontier Labs to train Financial Services Super Intelligence. We do this by building high quality computer and...
- Global Search Partner
Zensho Agency — Columbus,OH𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀:...
- Senior Cost Estimator
Egis in the U.S. — Columbus,OHCompany Description Lochner and Egis are entering an exciting new chapter as one organization. We have combined decades of trusted U.S. engineering expertise with the global reach, technical...
- Social Media & Content Manager
BidZoo — Columbus,OHFull-Time Contractor | Remote (United States Only) Compensation: $4,000 USD per month - non-negotiable Reports to: Performance Marketing Manager About...
- Assistant Teacher at London Elementary
KinderCare Education — London,OHFutures start here. Where first steps, new friendships, and confident learners are born. At KinderCare Learning Companies, the first and only early childhood education provider recognized with the...
- Senior Substation Designer
Arup — Columbus,OHJoining Arup Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. We are seeking a Senior Substation...
- Sales Development Representative
Thomson Reuters — Columbus,OHSales Development Representative (Contractor) – Indirect Tax Location Remote (U.S.) Overview Thomson Reuters is hiring contract Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) to drive...
- Active Entomologist
United States Army — Columbus,OHEntomologist (Army Medical / Scientific Officer) Job Overview As an Entomologist, you'll serve in command and staff assignments throughout the Army to provide expertise on the potential threats insects can...
- Senior Electrical Engineer
Rise Technical — Columbus,OHSenior Electrical Engineer (Power Generation Design) Remote Position $150k – $180k + Bonus + Remote/Hybrid + PTO + Relocation Assistance + Progression + Training +...
- Associate Director of Performance Marketing
Brightside Marketing — Columbus,OHAssociate Director of Performance Marketing Location: Remote, U.S.-based only Type: Full-time Starting Salary: $100,000 per year About...
- Director, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
LindFast Solutions Group — Columbus,OHLocation: Remote, with frequent travel throughout the U.S. and Canada Annual Salary: $110,000–$120,000 About LindFast Solutions Group LindFast Solutions...
- Assistant Kitchen Manager
Carrabba's Italian Grill — Hilliard,OH3949 Trueman Blvd, Hilliard OH 43026, United States At Carrabba's Italian Grill, we value having fun and creating memories that last a lifetime. Our atmosphere and hospitality for our guests...
- Video Annotator - AI Training (Remote)
Outlier — Columbus,OHOutlier is an AI training platform owned and operated by Scale AI. Outlier Experts work on a variety of projects, from generating training data to evaluating the performance of models....
- Local CDL-A Truck Driver
Cpc Logistics — Springfield,OHCPC Logistics is Now Hiring Local CDL-A DriversGet Home Daily - Average $1,550 - $1,850+ WeeklyNo-Touch...
- Retail Sales Worker Lead - Correction Reception Center
ARAMARK — Orient,OHJob Description The Retail Sales Lead Worker coordinates store operations, supporting and training the utility workers and cashiers. Assign the day's work tasks to the Sales Associates and General Utility...
- Senior Business System Consultant
Robert Half — Columbus,OHRobert Half's enterprise client is seeking an Excel Consultant to assess, document, and modernize a business-critical inventory management workbook used to track physical security hardware deployments across locations. This will...
- Resource Professional
Talent Solutions TAPFIN — Columbus,OHThe purpose of the Resource Professional role is supporting the subvendor/supplier program and its population and its day-to-day operations (implementing and managing the requisition/submittal process and overseeing job placement, day-do-day...
- Technical Project Manager
Omega Systems — Columbus,OHPosition: Project Manager — Technology Services (MSP) Reports To: Vice President of Service Delivery Division: Service...
- Junior Full Stack Engineer
CheckedUp — Columbus,OHPosition: Junior Full Stack Engineer Location: Hybrid-New York City Type: Full Time ABOUT US: CheckedUp is a healthcare media company operating...
- Sales Director
Storm3 — Columbus,OH**MUST BE LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE ROLE** ⚡ Sales Director – Employer Healthcare 🌍 United States, Remote (Northeast) 💲...
- Construction Superintendent - Healthcare and Commercial
iLocatum — Dublin,OHConstruction Superintendent, Healthcare and Commercial Dublin, OH | Full-time | On-site | $95,000 to $110,000 a year Superintendent for healthcare and commercial special...
- Data Engineer
BroadTech Solutions LLC — Columbus,OHData Engineer Remote Clearance: Active Secret clearance is required. Key Responsibilities Analyze science, engineering,...
- Head of Product
Spence — Columbus,OHHead of Product Spence | Remote (US) | Full-time | Reports to the CEO About Spence Spence is a cardless cashback product for Health Savings Accounts. We find eligible...
- Psychiatrist
LocumTenens — Columbus,OHThis Job at a Glance Job Reference Id: ORD-223526-MD-OHTitle: MDDates Needed: ASAP - OngoingShift Type: Day ShiftAssignment Type: InpatientCall Required: NoBoard...
- Postdoctoral Research Scientist – STEM (Remote | $60–$120/hr)
Synthires — Columbus,OHSTEM Expert (MSc./PhD) (Remote | $60–$120/hr) Position: STEM Expert (MSc./PhD) Type: Contractor (Part-Time, approximately 15...
- Director of Accounting - SEC Reporting/Technical Accounting
Robert Half — Columbus,OHHYBRID ROLE – Director of Accounting - SEC Reporting/Technical Accounting This perfect fall weather won't last and neither will this fresh opportunity! The salary range for this position is...
- Multifamily Preconstruction Estimator needed in the Great State of Ohio
Contract Lumber — Columbus,OHMultifamily Preconstruction Estimator Location: Pataskala, Ohio Salary: Bssed on Experience ...
- Mechanical Design Engineer (Remote | $60–$120/hr)
Synthires — Columbus,OHMechanical Engineering Expert Position: Mechanical Engineering Expert Type: Freelance Hourly...
- Operations & Client Service Manager
MDRN Wealth™ — Columbus,OHMDRN Wealth is a fast-growing boutique RIA based in Los Angeles, serving clients nationwide as a fee-only fiduciary. We obsess over the full picture — proactive tax planning, estate planning,...
- Marketing Content Manager/ Writer - HYBRID in Phoenix, AZ - Contract to hire
24 Seven Talent — Columbus,OH*** MUST RESIDE IN PHOENIX AREA*** Position Overview Our retail client is seeking a hands-on Marketing Content Manager to lead content strategy and execution across its digital, promotional,...