Have you ever gone through the interview process, felt confident that you'd performed extremely well, and then heard these dreadful words: "I'm sorry, but we feel you're overqualified for this position."
Arrggh!!
When I was told that after an interview, several thoughts went through my frustration-fogged mind... What kind of crazy excuse is that for not hiring me? So what if I'm 'overqualified' -- don't employers always want to hire the person with the best qualifications? If I'm willing to take this job, overqualified or not, why is that a problem? This isn't fair! What's the real reason they don't want to hire me?
When interviewers say you are "overqualified," here's what they are concerned about:
(1) You'll be bored in this position;
(2) You won't be satisfied with the salary they're offering;
(3) You'll leave as soon as you get a better opportunity;
(4) They'll have to go through the time-consuming and expensive process of hiring and training someone all over again.
They may or may not make you feel better about being "overqualified," but you must admit those are legitimate concerns.
If you get the "overqualified" excuse once, you'll be wary about getting it again. So if you apply for other jobs that may be at a lower level than warranted by your background, skills, education and experience, you may be tempted to "dumb down" your resume and omit things like college degrees. But lying about your background is not the way to go.
Here's a better strategy: address it head-on. Be the first one to raise the "overqualified" issue with a potential employer. If you bring it up yourself, you can discuss it openly and convince the interviewer that it won't be a problem.
They key -- as with every job interview issue -- is to anticipate and prepare. Before you go to the interview, think about what you'll say and how you will convince them that they should hire you, even if you are "overqualified."
After explaining how you will be a great asset for their company, tell them why you are applying for a lower-level position. Do not say, "I can't find anything else and I really need a job." Though that may be the case, this approach is a little too honest and will reinforce their fear that you will leave at the first opportunity.
Say something like, "You can tell that I've worked at a higher level before, but this position is exactly what I'm looking for." Then, depending on the job and your circumstances, explain why. For example:
"I've always wanted to work for your company [or in this industry], and I'm willing to take a lower-level position to get that opportunity."
"It will allow me to use my skills and expand my experience in a new field."
"I'm looking for something a little less stressful, with fewer responsibilities, so I can spend more time with my family."
"This position provides the stability and long-term growth potential I'm looking for."
"The salary is not my top priority. I'd have no problem with earning less than I've earned in the past." Be very enthusiastic about the job. Explain how you can meet their needs now and in the future as the company grows. And most important of all, convince them that you will not quit as soon as something better comes along.
If you are convinced that this job would be worth it, you might even try this: offer to sign an agreement stating that you will stay on the job for a minimum of 12 months. Whether the hiring manager actually takes you up on that offer or not, it will definitely make a very positive impression!
If you anticipate the "overqualified" issue and address it up front, it will not be a drawback to your success!
Apply? You should soon apply? Fear of job? This is not necessary. Even the CEO of the company you want to apply once an application to travel. The same applies to the recruiter that you are likely the first interview with you. But how successful can you apply? Read this article about application, job application and interview tips and you're a long way! Finally, you can lower some links to various sites related to find apply.Invited for an interview
You've found the perfect job but it's clear across the country. What do you do first?
Make Sure You Really Want to Move:
Many of us romanticize living somewhere else. The houses are cheaper, the taxes are lower, and the people are friendlier. Sure, all that might be true, but make sure you are moving for the right reasons. Is your family behind you and supportive? Moving for work takes a lot of flexibility on the part of other family members and dependents. In order to make the move easier on everyone, you have a lot to consider. Will your spouse be able to find work if they want? Will your children have as good opportunities for education and enrichment?
If you are single, it might be easier for you, but it's still an adjustment to make. You may be farther away from your support system and it might take time to feel a part of your new community if you don't know anyone in the area.
Do Your Research:
Investigate the city or town you want to move to. How does the cost of living compare to you current city? Will your money go as far? What is crime like? Are there a lot of things to do for those times when you won't be working? Most cities and towns have web pages where you can find a lot of this information. Do you know anyone in the town you will be relocating to? Ask questions! Only when you are informed can you make sure you are making a decision that's right for you.
Set a Realistic Time Frame:
Do you have to sell your home before you move? Are you waiting for the kids' summer vacation? Before you apply for a job or accept an offer, make sure you're setting a realistic time frame. Be fair to your prospective employer. If you need time to make a decision, make sure you take the time you need. Communicate with your prospective employer so he or she knows the constraints you are working under. As well, be considerate of his or her constraints. Don't apply for a job that needs to be filled ASAP if you can't move until the summer.
Ask For Help:
Your future employer might be able to help you get settled. As well as potentially providing financial relocation assistance (you may be able to negotiate this as part of your offer) your new employer can likely help you in choosing a real estate agent or even suggest a great neighborhood. Don't be afraid to ask.
With a little preparation and foresight, you can enjoy your new opportunity. Moving brings along a lot of challenges but it can be a rewarding way to make a change to both your career and personal life.
After employers have placed a job ad, they might have to go through hundreds of resumes to sort out which candidates they would like to interview. Why not give yourself a fighting chance by avoiding these pitfalls?
Not Qualified for the Job:
Why apply for a job that you are not qualified for? You shouldn't apply for a job when you do not have the essential skills being sought. Of course, if you have the skills, and are just shy some experience, you can certainly try. But if they are looking for someone with 5 years experience, and you only have 2 year's worth, you will likely not get the job. And that's wasting an employer's time.
Not Sure?
One of the biggest time wasters is people that apply for jobs they aren't sure they really want. When you apply for a job, whether through an employment agency, or through an employer directly, make sure you would be ready to take the job should it be offered to you. If you aren't, if you haven't talked to your family about it, or you aren't sure you're ready to leave your present employer, don't wait and see if they call you before deciding if you want the job. Of course, it's okay to change your mind later, but if you aren't sure in the first place, why waste their time?
Embellishments:
You might not see it as lying, but essentially, it isn't too far off. Saying you are qualified at a certain aspect of the job requirement when you clearly aren't is a waste of time. We once had someone apply to us for a job that required French language skills who couldn't speak a word of French, despite his resume implying he could. Obviously on essential skills, you will likely get tested or evaluated somehow. Exaggerating to get a job is definitely NOT the way to go.
Confusing Resume:
Nothing slows down an employer like having to figure out what the heck your previous job was, and reading through a 10 page resume. Some job titles aren't really clear, so make sure you explain what the major duties and requirements were of your past jobs, that way employers know what skills you have and what sort of work you can do. Your resume should be succinct and to the point. It should not exceed two pages at the most. Avoid wordy paragraphs about your life goals. Your resume should tell the employer what you skills are and really, be a walking endorsement of your abilities, confidence, and previous experience.
Make sure there aren't any typos or spelling mistakes. Some common ones are "alot", "seperately", and "definately". Check with a dictionary if you aren't sure of a word before submitting your resume. If they hire you, you will be a reflection of the company and they will be looking for someone who presents an accurate, professional, and careful representative.
Applying Incorrectly:
If an employer looking for email resumes says they don't want you to include an attachment but would rather see your resume in the body of an email message, why wouldn't you do that? Many companies won't open attachments for security reasons and when you are not following instructions on how to apply for a job, you are telling employers you don't care. It shows a lack of respect and an inability to listen to directions, two things employers are certainly not looking for. Take the time to find out how employers want you to apply for a position. Then follow the instructions. If your resume isn't properly formatted for an email message, do up a plain text version of your resume so that, you'll have it for those employers not wanting a Word version. If you can't follow simple application instructions, how will you be able to do the job?
Not following instructions, applying for a job you aren't qualified for, and having an unprofessional resume are all ways to indicate to an employer that you aren't really serious about applying for a job. Why not increase your chances of being hired by making sure you don't waste their time or yours?
There is no question that the traditional workplace, with its emphasis on internal competition and individual star performers is undergoing a transformation. Management experts and researchers are suggesting that the successful organization is one characterized by effective teamwork, and leadership rathe than management. Organizations are realizing the importance of developing teams that can work in a coordinated, efficient, and creative manner.
If you recognize the need for team development, and are planning some activities for that purpose, you should have some idea of the pitfalls of team building, and how to go about it. Whether you hire a consultant to help, or you lead the process yourself, you need to know what must be avoided. In this article we will discuss six deadly sins of team-building.
1. Lack of A Model
It is not uncommon for people leading a team-building process to ocus on a single aspect of team functioning. Often the emphasis will be on communication practices, to the exclusion of other elements that are critical to team success and effectiveness. Teams just aren't that simple, and a team is only as strong as its weakest component.
It is rare that a team will benefit by focusing on only one aspect of team development. In fact, what may happen is that the unidimensional team building process may increase frustration, and destroy the credibility of the process.
RX
You need a model of how teams function, so that you can address all the factors that result in reduced team effectiveness. At minimum, consider that an effective team requires:
. Clearly stated and commonly held vision and goals . Talent and skills required to meet goals . Clear understanding of team members' roles and functions . Efficient and shared understanding of procedures and norms . Effective and skilled interpersonal relations . A system of reinforcement and celebration . Clear understanding of the team's relationship to the greater organization
2. Lack of Diagnosis
Each team is different. Each team has distinct strengths and weaknesses, and team building must build on these specific strengths and address weaknesses. Without knowing these strengths and weaknesses, the team building leader runs the risk of using a process that will be irrelevant or useless, again resulting in lack of credibility for the process, and the sponsor (often you).
Rx
Diagnose as a first step in the process. If you are hiring an outside consultant, insist that they do a thorough team assessment as the first step. If you are leading the process yourself, consider using the Team Assessment & Diagnostic Instrument (TADI) included in this month's PSM Supplement.
3. Short Term Intervention
It is not uncommon for a manager to arrange for a retreat or team-building day, without developing a longer term strategy for team development. At best, a single day dangling on its own will result in a brief motivational surge that quickly fades. At worst, the day will bring to light issues that cannot be solved during that day, and are left to fester. Again, lack of credibility results.
Let's face it. Your organization or team has evolved its character over many years. It is not likely that one day, no matter how good, is going to make much of a dint in the norms, culture and practices of the team.
Rx
Plan a long term strategy for team building. We suggest planning for a full year.
4. No Evaluation of Progress
Since team building is a long-term process, you (and team members) need to know whether it is succeeding. It is common for team building efforts to take for granted that things are improving without putting in place a mechanism for regular evaluation of team functioning. However, it will be a rare situation where team improvement will occur smoothly...there are always glitches, but the team building leader must be able to identify barriers so that the team can work to eliminate them.
Rx
Plan regular evaluation of team progress. You can use the TADI in the PSM supplement as a pre-post measure. We suggest you use it as a first step, then use it a regular interviews to see if the results have changed.
5. Leadership Detachment
It is unfortunate that management sometimes enters into a team- building enterprise in a somewhat detached way. The detached manager looks at team development as something that will help others change, so that the team will function more effectively.
However, the most influential person in most teams is the formal leader or manager. Like it or not, you set the tone for the team, whether intentionally or intentionally, and it is inevitable that team effectiveness cannot be improved unless the manager is willing to look at his/her contributions to the team. Management usually has to change too.
Rx
If you aren't willing to hear from employees how your behaviour impacts the team (negatively or positively), don't do team- building. The worst thing you can do is start the process and refuse to acknowledge that you are a key player in the process.
6. Doing It All Internally
Team building generally will not succeed unless conflicts and problems can be brought into the open and dealt with properly. The problem is that poorly functioning teams are characterized by a climate of blame, defensiveness, and a lack of ability to deal with conflict. Poor teams lack the ability to improve themselves.
There are times when an outside consultant may be required. While a consultant may bring specialized skills that are lacking in the organization, the most important reason for using an outside consultant is that the "outsider" has no history with the organization, no preconceptions, and may have more credibility than someone who is perceived as having his/her own agenda.
Rx
Consider hiring an outside consultant to help. However, the team should not become dependent on the consultant, and must ultimately develop the ability to improve on its own. Look to a consultant if there is a high degree of negativism about the team, or there are unresolved conflicts or emotions related to the team, or management.
Conclusion
Whether you are leading team building activities, or hiring someone, it is important that you stay away from the six deadly sins. Lousy team building is worse than doing nothing. Improperly thought out efforts are likely to increase negativity, reduce team functioning, and reduce management credibility. If you are a manager, your own personal reputation, and the degree to which your employees have confidence in you will depend upon your making effective team building decisions from day one. (work911.com)