The Best Way to Answer the Arent You Overqualified Interview Question

The Best Way to Answer the Arent You Overqualified Interview QuestionIn an ideal world, wed all be applying for (and getting) a job that is a perfect, snug fit for ur skills, experience, and career goals. In the real world, thats not always an option. Maybe you were laid off, and are seeking a foot (any foot) back in the door of your career path. Perhaps youre feeling stalled in your current job, and are looking to move back a step or two to get new skills and experience. Whatever the reason, it could very well lead to the dreaded arent you overqualified for this stelle? question in an interview. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Does overqualified necessarily have to translate to disqualified? While this question can feel judge-y and like a bit of a dead end, it doesnt have to be that way. Here are some strategies to consider if/when it comes up.DO emphasize your commitment to the job at hand.This question is really about the interviewers concern that you will fly the coop as soon as a mora suitable job comes along. So your first step in answering should be managing that concern. Acknowledge that you may have more experience or seniority than the job description requires, but make sure the interviewer knows that you are interested in the long-term potential for this position.DONT turn it into a joke.When acknowledging that yeah, you might have more experience than necessary to be a junior copywriter, dont use it as a *wink wink, nudge nudge* jokey moment. Even if youre kidding when you say something like, Oh, its really only temporary. Im outta here as soon as my lottery money comes through, it can confirm the interviewers fear that youre just looking for a for-now paycheck, and s/he will be rehiring in six months time. Its a serious question, and deserves a serious, well-thought-out response.DO be honestIf youve been unemployed for a while, your resume will show that. Its okay to be up front and say that you unders tand that this might not be the most orthodox choice for someone with your history, but that youre looking to commit to something permanent, with growth potential. Emphasize that with the job market the way it is, youre seeking a place to put down roots and flourish, using everything youve learned along the way.But DONT feel like you have to tell the whole story.If you applied for an entry-level position (despite 15 years of experience) out of desperation, try to keep that note out of the discussion. A sob story may get pity from an interviewer, but its not likely to net a job offer. Make sure the focus stays on your qualifications, and your commitment to the job.DO emphasize the opportunity presented.If necessary (like if the interviewer has a blatant case of Skeptical Face), make sure you drive the point home that you see this position as an opportunity, not a settling point. Talk about how the skills you have can push the position to a new level, while you learn even more about t he field. Talk about where you want to grow professionally, and how the job fits in with that goal.DONT shut the door to future growth.If the interviewer suggests (or says outright) that there may not be raises or promotion opportunities in this particular position, stick to your forward-looking script I understand that this particular position may not be where I want to be in 10 years, but Im confident that the company would offer other opportunities for me to grow professionally and be of service. This company is where I want to be, and this job is the right starting place.And the most important dont of all in this case DONT let it discourage you. If the interviewer truly thought your experience welches an automatic dealbreaker, you never would have gotten the interview call in the first place. This is a chance for you to make your case, and explain how your many qualifications work in your favor. Dont let your hard-won experience pull you down. It can, will, and should work for y ou if you know how to spin it.

How to Find a Purposeful Career, From 5 Women Whove Done It

How to Find a Purposeful Career, From 5 Women Whove Done It Grinding through long days while building a career you can be proud of is hard if you dont feel that yure living your purpose. Purpose fuels the long days, the stressful projects and the times when you question what youre doing and why. If youre struggling to find purpose in your career, take these five tips from these women who are successfully doing it every day.1. You cant find purpose in your career if you dont know what motivates you.This welches the case for Amanda Stewart, Founding Partner VP of Valeo Groupe, U.S., the parent company of EPOCH Clemson. She is now able to live out that purpose in zu sich career. She said I found purpose in my career by first identifying what was most meaningful and motivating to me. I feel fortunate in the position I am in, because my purpose aligns with parte of our companys mantra which is helping otzu sichs.The key, however, is finding ways to realistically live your purpose in your career. Stewart explained This doesnt mean I am coordinating and planning large fundraiser for children in need, but rather trying to have a positive impact on each person I work with daily.Shes using small acts of helping someone else from a smile in the hallway to supporting and motivating a manager to stay aligned with the purpose that drives her in her career. When you have this purpose alignment and find ways to live it out in your career, youll have greater staying power during challenging times.Stewart says that when shes feeling stressed or overwhelmed, she takes a step back and remembers her purpose This gives me an opportunity to reflect on my recent wins which align with my purpose and then determine where I have opportunities to help more.2. To find purpose in your busy and growing career, look outside your job first, suggests CEO and Co-Founder ofVirtual Vocations, Inc., Laura Spawn.She explained My best advice for finding professional purpose is to be mindful what i s most important to you personally, in terms of values and priorities, then find ways to incorporate those tenets into your day-to-day work and career.When you can identify what you want to achieve personally, you can find ways to make your work more purposeful as often as possibleeven if your company isnt saving the world or helping kids in need. For Spawn, part of her purpose is having a genuine interest in others experiences and helping them in times of need.At work, this translates to taking more time to be personable in emails, being transparent when I connect others not only as a CEO but also as an individual, and reminding myself of the reason why I founded my company which was to help others find telecommute jobs so that they can obtain greater flexibility in life and work, said Spawn.Use your personal values to understand your purpose in work, and weave that into everything you do.3. Find a career that allows you freedom to explore.Not everyone loves their job or the work theyre doingbut that doesnt mean you cant find purpose, says Ali Boone, entrepreneur, real estate investor and lifestyle designer. She explained One thing that helps in finding purpose in your career is realizing all the ways you can be connected to your purpose through your career. For instance, I run my own company and while I enjoy the things I sell, I dont love them. They arent my passion. But my passion lies in the freedom that selling those things allows me to have.If youre not finding purpose in your career, consider how your work affords you opportunities to explore the things that do light you up when youre outside the four walls of your office.While its great to find purpose directly through your career, sometimes if you arent able to find it there, you can find it in sneakier places. Once you find those places, you can truly connect to your purpose via your career, said Boone.4. Take your time.Purpose lies at that wonderful intersection between your talents and your value s, said Karen Southall Watts, coach, author and speaker. This is why you may not know what your purpose is yet it takes time to uncover it.As Southall Watts said Most of the time we dont just find purpose in our work. We have to uncover it, work for it and create it. Even when youre lucky enough to work for an organization thats driven by a mission you believe in, you still need to find your individual, special contribution.This is how Southall Watts found her career purpose. In working with educational and community organizations, she saw her value was in seeing peoples potential and encouraging them. In her career, regardless of the job, this is where she places her focus.She explained I concentrate there and support colleagues as they do the other tasks that eventually equal a whole experience for students or clients.Southall Watts suggested that finding this purpose is directly linked to self-awareness. Know what you do well, and where you can provide value. Then, ask yourself How can I bring this into my career?5. Consider what you want to be known for.While it may sound morbid, a trip to the graveyard may be what you need to find purpose in your career, according to Donna Miller, Co-Founder and CEO of Purse Power, Inc. She explains As an executive coach, I used to ask my clients to go to a graveyard, think about the end of their life and then write down (as if their life was over) what they wanted it to have been about.This exercise brought up something different for all of Millers clients. Some found their purpose was family. For others, it was making a difference or leaving a legacy. The value of this exercise, she explained, is simple Once you figure out why you are on this earth, priorities become crystal clear and you can plan backward from there.If you dont want to look back on your life with regret, finding your purpose is critical. This is a great way to put yourself in a place to truly ponder those life-altering questions.At the end of their da ys, people generally dont regret what the DID do, they regret most what they DIDNT do. I am living my dream and want to encourage others to do the same, Miller said.

The Key to Successful Strength for Resume Writing

The Key to Successful Strength for Resume Writing Getting in a position to spot areas of improvement demonstrates that youre a well-rounded candidate. You have to avoid belittling different people or past work colleagues during a work interview. If youre interviewing for work in social networking, for example, never say that technology or communication is your weakness. Dont forget that weaknesses arent permanent, and simply because you have a couple weaknesses does not indicate that youre doomed. In most instances, your soft skills can boost your hard skills. Leadership skills ought to be included only in the vorstellung you have sound work experience to prove them. Top Choices of Strength for Resume Writing Highlighting your key strengths is the best way to demonstrate an organization youre worth the opportunity to interview. Few positions need an employee to perform one particular task only. To achieve that goal, you must effectively convey your key strengths in a man ner that convinces the hiring manager that you have the required tools necessary to fill the organizations open position. If your old resume contained a whole lot of Industry specific verbiage, you may want to recognize every chance to it pull back. Facts, Fiction and Strength for Resume Writing Place a checkmark near the strengths which correspond most highly to the needs of the job which you want to land. If youre asking for a job which has unique requirements, you might need another edition of your resume to completely demonstrate your qualifications. Many jobs have set schedules, but if youre eager to stay past the conclusion of your shift to complete work, you will stick out from other applicants. It isnt necessary to to be aware each job you have ever had. There are minimum requirements for each position. At work, an ability to work nicely with others is an indicator of succeeding. Choose strengths that you truly possess. Mixing and blending relevant core strength f or at least one position isnt necessarily a simple thing, but its possible. When youre requested to identify your weaknesses, be certain to have an answer ready. The capacity to coordinate with your co-workers is a vital strength that might help to land work. Place your energy into your strengths statementwhat you need to offer you. The Truth About Strength for Resume Writing Writing something for which you dont have much enthusiasm is truly hard work. You will discover that the secret to success is right preparation, but that looks true for so lots of things in business. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that wont make a difference in your upcoming work. Since you may see, the capacity to tell a story by means of your response will provide you with a leg up on the competition.