Dear CareerBabe...

Dear CareerBabe:

I was at an interview and realized I was overqualified and that the person who was interviewing me didn’t want to hire me because they felt I might be a threat for their job. I really wanted the job because it took me from a healthcare company into a technology company and I wasn’t afraid to take this step "back" because I knew it would lead me forward. I didn’t get that job but I want to make sure I don’t flub more opportunities to make this career transition.

Signed:
Overqualified or a Threat

Dear Over:

First of all, recognize that lost of job interviews are nothing more than sales calls. This means that sometimes you’ll get to first base and other times, you’ll strike out, so you need to have a lot going on at all times, lots of activity and lots of interviewing going on.

In this particular situation, you’ll need to sell yourself into a job and play down your overqualifications while stressing what you bring to the table. Are you willing to give this manager and group of colleagues a chance to pick your brain and take out all your experience for their own benefit? But at the same time, are you willing to be flexible and let the group show you how to do things or in the interview do you come across as "well, I’ve tried that and this is exactly what I would do," even if at that company, they have other ideas.

One thing you must do in this situation is look and sound like you’ll fit in as part of the team. If you have to, go to the parking lot and see how people dress. Dress that way for the interview. Start practicing your interviews with younger people and learn to use the vocabulary they use. In other words, don’t sound like you come from another generation. Last, take a look at the article on "Interview Stumpers" in Computer Currents. It’s at: http://www.currents.net/magazine/national/care_index.html

Best of Luck!

CareerBabe accepts no responsibility for specific decisions of individuals and advises each individual to seek specific advice on their specific situation from qualified professionals.