“Overqualified?” Change Your Strategy

I’m 45, and have 14 years’ experience in my field—programming. I have friends in similar situations who’ve tried to change jobs and move up, and they were told they’re “overqualified” and couldn’t expect to get the same level of pay. I don’t want to be in this bind. What can I do to head off this potential problem? —Bill P

You’re smart to plan ahead now, because if you’re a high-skilled worker such as a computer programmer, over 40, with 10+ years’ experience, you’ll probably have to face being rejected for jobs for being "overqualified". One way out of this is to go into management. But many people would rather continue to specialize in their field.

Many hiring managers say they either have never hired anyone with more than 10 years experience, or would not consider doing so. It’s a growing problem in today’s fast-changing job culture. One reason hiring manages feel this way is that they’ve been burned with experienced people who are set in their ways and resist new ways of doing things or adapting quality to a fast-changing technology. It’s often a lot easier to get someone younger who already has the skills needed—and usually can be hired at a lower salary than a more experienced employees. In short, many hiring managers see this is as a “better deal” all around.

Sometimes co –workers see highly experienced technical workers as misfits. As one manager put it, "It doesn't work to start a senior guy at an entry level because he knows too much, and sets a standard the others can't match. But if we start him at a high level, the others resent him for not having come up though their ranks. It is easier to just avoid the problem by not making the hire." Consider these other barriers:

Getting rejected for being "overqualified" is a fairly new development. We didn’t have this problem 30 years ago.

"Overqualified" applies to more than just age, (although if you’re over 40 you may be thought of as "overqualified".

HR specialists, and many hiring managers, would rather leave a job open than risk making a "bad hire". There is little risk for saying that no one could be found to fill the position.

Hiring managers often have a personal agenda that ignores what’s best for the company. An employee who has more skills or knowledge than the minimum needed to do the job may be a threat to the hiring manager and the culture of the department.

There’s a deeply felt myth (and not true) that "overqualified" workers are more likely to leave for a better job is just that. Non-overqualified workers are just as likely to leave. It is only the incompetents who cling to the job.

Don't believe company claims that they don't discriminate on the basis of age or experience or "over-qualification", or when they point to a token "old guy". They’re usually lying.

Anticipate/Plan

What to do?

• Plan for the reality

of becoming "overqualified". Don't wait until you get laid off and find it takes two years to get the next job.

• Plan Your Career Moves.

You usually have only three options if you can’t retire now:

1. Move into management, but the supply of management jobs is limited compared to high-tech skilled jobs.

2. Become a contractor and go into business for yourself. (Even here, you’d better have your own product, because clients tend to discriminate against over-40 contract workers as well.

3. Move into another field, such as construction work, but be prepared for seasonal layoffs.

• Save money,

have sources of financing, and keep your overhead low. You may be out of work for six months between jobs in your twenties or thirties, but that will increase to a year or two, perhaps more, as you approach 40. You don’t want to run out of money and become homeless. It’s even probably better not to have a family or a mortgage that will tie you down to a place where there isn't any work.

• Forget about company "benefits"

being there when you need them. More and more companies are dropping them in cost-cutting moves, and there are many that will lay you off just before the benefits vest. Get your salary in cash, and exercise any stock options.

• Protect your health.

Get and keep a health insurance policy. Exercise, eat right, don't smoke or drink.

• Expand your network.

Make friends with people who have skills and resources that complement yours, so you can get support fast if things get bad.

• Ask what they mean.

When you hear management say “overqualified,” find out what they mean. And be quick to point out that you don’t fit that profile.

• Find out what opportunities are available in your current company. 

Talk to your co-workers and managers.  You just may find something that interests you and matches your new qualifications. I won’t wish you good luck; you know enough now to make your own luck. Peace.