I've applied for a position through a recruiting agency and the hiring manager thinks I'm 'overqualified and will be bored soon'. If you look at the last title I had and the title of this one, then yes, it does look like I'm overqualified. However, the position has a lot of aspects of it that I really enjoy doing - and am quite good at - which I've not been doing in my past role. How would you get this across to the hiring manager so she doesn't just dismiss me out of hand? or do you think it's a lost cause?

10 Comments

1. SPNN4 SJuly 17,2024 at 4:13PM UTC

   Yes you should tell them that! I'd say that certain aspects of the role are your key strengths and that you enjoy doing them and you do them well and that is what puts you above the other candidates.

2. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 5:00PM UTC

   I was in a similar position a few months ago. I was in a big tech company with a fancy name and had a title that was beyond what I was actually doing. I was also not all that happy there.

   The job I applied to was at a small company and a less fancy title. But, the stuff I would be doing was the stuff I actually liked about my current job.

   I just was honest and transparent. I told the hiring manager that the job I was in consisted of a lot of meetings and the tasks I would be doing at her company. I explained I really liked the tasks part, but I wanted more time to focus on it and that is what attracted me to the position. I also made it clear that at this point in my career, that I have made a conscious choice to make the change. It worked and I got the job. So, when speaking to the hiring manager, I would just be transparent and practice your response. You want to do stuff you are good at and this job will let you do it. That sounds like a match to me!

3. AnonymousJuly 18,2024 at 12:34PM UTC

   doing what you like to do and are good at is a dream job come true. Tell the recruiter what you shared on this board.

   one thing to consider however, I’ve told an applicant or two the same thing, as a nice way to say that the compensation that they demand and deserve is in excess of the range the employer was willing to pay.

   give it your best shot as nothing invested is nothing gained

4. AnonymousJuly 18,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

   I’m in the same boat - looking to downsize my role and every aspect of the roles I’ve had allows me to excel in the roles I’m applying for but the managers get scared at my resume past accomplishments. I’ve explained myself over and over why I’m applying for these roles but I guess I’m pigeonholed now.

5. AnonymousJuly 18,2024 at 4:51PM UTC

   When being presented to a company by a 3rd party agency as you are you are kind of at the mercy of the HM and the agency feedback. I would write up something and present it to the agency ccing the HM and let them know why you could come in hit the ground running and what you hope to also learn and grow with in their company. Let them know that you would like to have a short screening call with the HM and if they still feel like you are past the role then you will back away but you want a chance. Let them know how much you admire their company and mission and that their company is ideal for where you want to stay for the next 4 plus years. Good luck.

6. AnonymousJuly 19,2024 at 2:43PM UTC

   Tell them exactly what you just wrote here!

7. AnonymousJuly 19,2024 at 6:46PM UTC

   I'd say " The position has a lot of aspects of it that I really enjoy doing - and am quite good at - which I've not been doing in my past role. I want more time to focus on it and that is what attracted me to the position. I also made it clear that at this point in my career, that I have made a conscious choice to make the change." From you and another poster

8. Dawn McDonnellJuly 21,2024 at 1:21PM UTC

   My advice - your a curious, passionate about what you do and love what your good at willing to expand and learn in different roles. Your only bored if your complacent . One cannot be bored if they are a life long student with curiosity to learn something new , difficult while continuing mastering what they are great at and share that knowledge with others. It’s a win - win for a company and their employees when they like what they do and are willing to learn more . Find out more about the company culture.

   Good luck. This is 101 sales in selling yourself.

9. AnonymousJuly 21,2024 at 3:32PM UTC

   Thanks for all the comments. I did ask the recruiter to push back (nicely) but the hiring manager still said no. She was also concerned that the salary I was looking for (at the top of their range) wouldn't leave room for increases in the future. I've actually seen the job posted other places now and they've lowered the salary range.

10. AnonymousJuly 21,2024 at 5:36PM UTC

    This happened to a friend of mine like two weeks ago. It sounds like what they were really saying is "We can't pay for you..." and "we are not willing to pay what you are worth." It stings now but you did nothing wrong asking for a salary IN RANGE. They are the ones who changed expectations. I am sorry this happened to you but at least you know now that it is not something you did. It was something they did not want to do.