The Interview Question of the Week - Aren't You Overqualified For This Position?

 

Once again, it's time for the Interview Question of the Week!

 

For most job seekers, being invited to interview for a job is exciting. The interview is their chance to wow the hiring manager and is the door to the opportunity they have been looking for. This is the chance to shine, and the best way to stand out from the crowd is to be prepared for anything the interviewer might throw out.

 

In order to help you get prepared, each week we take a new interview question and break it down to come up with the best possible answer. When you think about your answers to these questions ahead of time, you will already have an idea of how you want to answer it, and you won't have to worry about suddenly drawing a blank or stammering through it.

 

So, here is the Interview Question of the Week:

 

 

Question:

Aren't you overqualified for this position?

 

Why its a trap:

When an employer asks you this question, they are concerned that you aren't going to be happy in the position for very long. Most companies don't want to invest the time and money it takes to train a new employee and get them up to speed, just for them to leave. This question is your chance to sell yourself and reassure the interviewer about your commitment to the job. If you mess this one up, you will probably not get the job.

 

The best answer:

Hearing the word “overqualified” from a prospective employer isn't always the kiss of death. This question is an invitation to explain your intentions and sell yourself to the interviewer. If you answer this one well, you may be able to talk yourself into a job. The goal is to show them the advantages of hiring someone who has more than the necessary skills and experience.

 

For example: “Right now, the job market is really tight, so “overqualified” is a relative term, and I accept that. At the same time, I think that this opportunity has benefits for both of us. Because I have strong experience in (your primary skill set), I could start making a difference right away, which would keep you from having to spend so much time training a lesser qualified candidate and waiting for them to get up to speed. In addition, you would be getting the benefit of all of the training and experience I have received without having to pay more.”

 

“As for me, there are many benefits as well. I am unemployed, and I want to work very badly. The position you are advertising is exactly the type of job that I love to do, and it is what I am best at. I would be very happy working in this job position, and that matters to me much more than money or a job title. I am tired of job hunting and I am looking to make a long-term commitment in my career. I want to find a job I like and stay there. Also, I know that if I excel at this job, more opportunities will arise.”

 

The main thing here is to reassure the interviewer that you are planning to stay at your next job and that you aren't just looking for a job to pay the bills while looking for a better job.

 

What do you think about this question and answer? Are there other questions you would like to see answered here? Let me know in the comments.

 

If you are looking for in Sales, visit SalesHeads for the best Sales job listings.

 

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for SalesHeadsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.