Handling "overqualified" concerns during jobhunting...

[ModerateRepZero]

I recently received my master's from college, and am applying for jobs. Some of the ones I'm applying to are "commensurate with my education level/experience" while some are below...ie customer service positions requiring a high school diploma and 1-3 experience.

I talked with a career counselor and he recommended omitting the advanced education and to just state "completed HS / received Bachelor's, etc.", basically stipulating to the minimum educational requirements. My concern, however, is that when companies do background checks it won't be difficult to find out that I omitted information, and it could be construed as lying...not to mention that part of the reason I left my job was to work on passing my master's exam in order to graduate.

On the other hand, there's a risk in being too candid whereby HR would see that I got a master's and immediately come to the conclusion that I'm overqualified and would thereby be bored, view the work as 'beneath me', etc....when I did customer service work for more than 2 years and enjoyed the work (otherwise I wouldn't be applying for similar work). Furthermore, you have to be completely candid, say, in government job applications where they ask if all the information is complete and accurate. The requirement is less explicit in the private sector....

So what say ye?

The only compromise I can think of is to write in my cover letter that i met the educational requirement(s) ie received my HS diploma....and received further education at University X and writing a few sentences in the cover letter to preemptively address the overqualified objection (perhaps saying that I want a job because it's what I enjoy doing and give an example).

 

[TruePaige]

It is only a lie if you say you did something you didn't, or if they ask you a question and you lie about it.

Not telling them you have a Master's degree is not lying.

 

[mugs]

You're going to want to get a different job when the economy improves and people are hiring, right? They'll know that if you tell them you have a master's degree. It's not that you'll get bored - they know you're capable of getting a better job, and you won't stick around.

 

[slayer202]

just tell them the truth if you enjoyed the customer service work...that should be more than enough. and your advanced education should give you a leg up over the competition if they believe you

 

[sandorski]

Yes, remove some of the more advanced Education/Experience. Most people don't usually put every tidbit of info in their Resume, just the info that is appropriate for the Job.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

Fapping

 

[Strk]

I've always hated the term overqualified. I can understand HR's concern though, as more qualifications would make me think you're less likely to stay.

 

[pontifex]

in a "normal" job i might agree with the comment about him leaving, but we're talking customer service, which is probably in a call center, right? those things are known for huge turnover so I really don't see the logic about not hiring him because he might leave.

 

[DrPizza]

When they ask for your previous employment, do you go all the way back to when you mowed your neighbor's lawns for $10? Or do you think that they only want relevant history, i.e. your most recent 3 jobs, or jobs going back x-number of years to show no major lapses in employment and that you're dependable. Keeping that in mind, maybe you could feel less uncomfortable about it by realizing that your master's degree isn't relevant to being hired for that position? i.e. if you attended some sort of educational seminar, or took some special training course that wasn't relevant to your position, would you include it in your education history? If 20 years ago, you were a volunteer fireman & received training for that, would you include that in your education?

Don't feel bad, just leave it out because you didn't think it was relevant.

 

[Vette73]

Yea many leave off info, it is not a lie. Saying you have something more then you really have that?s a lie. Now if asked it be best to be honest at an interview.

At the Fed level if it does not count as specialized experience then we just skip it. But if you have extra it does not hurt when making the Cert. We have lawyers, former executives from marketing companies, etc? working at passport centers (GS-5/7/9). So the hiring official usually just selects the best person and its very have to be over qualified for a Fed job.


Now private sector many will cut you if you have too much. Going over what they want a little is ok, but a masters when the most you need is a bachelors may get you cut. They don?t want to train someone and they leave 6 months later.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: pontifex
in a "normal" job i might agree with the comment about him leaving, but we're talking customer service, which is probably in a call center, right? those things are known for huge turnover so I really don't see the logic about not hiring him because he might leave.

Customer service centers try extremely hard to find employees that are likely to last the long term, particularly BECAUSE they have high turnover. The managers and HR folks are often bonused on how well they can reduce turnover and increase retention.

Being obviously overqualified on your resume is one possible reason that you would not get a callback. It's always a good idea to tailor your resume to jobs you apply to; if you have both teaching and tech experience you will eliminate a lot of the information about your teaching jobs when you apply to a tech position. The same applies here. In some jobs your masters will be a great advantage. In others it might be seen as a drawback.

If you're set on applying for a customer service rep job then I would recommend removing the masters from your resume OR directly addressing potential drawbacks in your objective and cover letter, turning them into positives. You can also address it in the interview, even if you left it off the resume.

What I would really recommend is applying for higher level roles in that same organization. Supervisory positions or manager roles might be open to you from the initial application because of your education, where someone without your credentials may need to do a year or two as a rep first.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

Lying works, I was employed for years getting paid under the table. So the job wasn't verifiable. When I'd have an interview and they'd question my gap. I told them I won a bundle playing poker and made some dumb investments or I wouldn't have to be looking for a job. I don't know if they believe me, or it helps. But at least it would be understandable that if a person had enough money to live well, why would be work.

 

[JS80]

Since when is a Master's degree with no job experience overqualified?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

Lying works, I was employed for years getting paid under the table. So the job wasn't verifiable. When I'd have an interview and they'd question my gap. I told them I won a bundle playing poker and made some dumb investments or I wouldn't have to be looking for a job. I don't know if they believe me, or it helps. But at least it would be understandable that if a person had enough money to live well, why would be work.

I don't believe you've ever said that to an interviewer, so you can bet that they didn't believe you.

 

[Jadow]

sorry, but if you have a masters, and you're looking for a high school grad customer service job, something is seriously f'ed up. I don't put much stock in a college degree equating to professional competance, but get real.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: JS80
Since when is a Master's degree with no job experience overqualified?

Wow.

the reason I left my job was to work on passing my master's exam in order to graduate.

when I did customer service work for more than 2 years and enjoyed the work (otherwise I wouldn't be applying for similar work).

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

Lying works, I was employed for years getting paid under the table. So the job wasn't verifiable. When I'd have an interview and they'd question my gap. I told them I won a bundle playing poker and made some dumb investments or I wouldn't have to be looking for a job. I don't know if they believe me, or it helps. But at least it would be understandable that if a person had enough money to live well, why would be work.

I don't believe you've ever said that to an interviewer, so you can bet that they didn't believe you.

I have, with a 4 year gap in a totally unrelated field, I have to tell them something. I say I won a sizable chunk of money at Poker, and invested it all. It wasn't a huge amount but it kept me going until the investments went sour. It's what a lot of wanna be professional gamblers do. They win a few decent games and try to live off the winnings/investments. Almost never really works out. Shit the guy who won the WSOP a few years back is a local dude who ended up blowing it all and is back to whatever he did before Poker.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

Lying works, I was employed for years getting paid under the table. So the job wasn't verifiable. When I'd have an interview and they'd question my gap. I told them I won a bundle playing poker and made some dumb investments or I wouldn't have to be looking for a job. I don't know if they believe me, or it helps. But at least it would be understandable that if a person had enough money to live well, why would be work.

I don't believe you've ever said that to an interviewer, so you can bet that they didn't believe you.

I have, with a 4 year gap in a totally unrelated field, I have to tell them something. I say I won a sizable chunk of money at Poker, and invested it all. It wasn't a huge amount but it kept me going until the investments went sour. It's what a lot of wanna be professional gamblers do. They win a few decent games and try to live off the winnings/investments. Almost never really works out. Shit the guy who won the WSOP a few years back is a local dude who ended up blowing it all and is back to whatever he did before Poker.

Yeah I still don't believe you've told interviewers that, but maybe I'm assuming you're smarter than you are. Because telling an interviewer that would make you look bad, while putting an under the table job on your resume is not going to hurt you.

 

[dbk]

you need to cater your search to the ones that you feel are right for you.
don't settle.
grow a pair.

 

[ModerateRepZero]

You're going to want to get a different job when the economy improves and people are hiring, right?

Depends on the job...ie salary/wage, advancement opportunities, coworkers/working environment...

Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

I'll say that I got my bachelor's, and also mention the work experience I've had since college (3+ years at one company mostly doing customer-service work)

in a "normal" job i might agree with the comment about him leaving, but we're talking customer service, which is probably in a call center, right? those things are known for huge turnover

depends on the industry....retail obviously tends to have high turnover, and I think so do call centers. customer service may or may not involve call centers; my previous job didn't.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
Um, what are you going to tell them you've been doing from high school 'til now then? Lie?

Lying works, I was employed for years getting paid under the table. So the job wasn't verifiable. When I'd have an interview and they'd question my gap. I told them I won a bundle playing poker and made some dumb investments or I wouldn't have to be looking for a job. I don't know if they believe me, or it helps. But at least it would be understandable that if a person had enough money to live well, why would be work.

I don't believe you've ever said that to an interviewer, so you can bet that they didn't believe you.

I have, with a 4 year gap in a totally unrelated field, I have to tell them something. I say I won a sizable chunk of money at Poker, and invested it all. It wasn't a huge amount but it kept me going until the investments went sour. It's what a lot of wanna be professional gamblers do. They win a few decent games and try to live off the winnings/investments. Almost never really works out. Shit the guy who won the WSOP a few years back is a local dude who ended up blowing it all and is back to whatever he did before Poker.

Yeah I still don't believe you've told interviewers that, but maybe I'm assuming you're smarter than you are. Because telling an interviewer that would make you look bad, while putting an under the table job on your resume is not going to hurt you.

Really? it makes me look like somebody who wanted to be a professional gambler in my eyes. I play at the casinos a lot, and more than a few times have been at tables with guys who make their living playing Hold 'Em. Shouldn't look any worse to an interviewer than a IT dude who worked at liquor stores for 4 years because computers got boring to him. When I'm honest I tend to get a lot of "well why the big change in field?" But I've had 2 interviewers start talking about how they always watch Poker on TV. And go on to say how they're fascinated at people who are able to make a good living doing what they love. Isn't that the American dream, to make a living doing something you love?

 

[imported_Imp]

You can say whatever, even believe whatever you want, but the truth is, HR is probably right.

I just started a new job this week, and am already thinking of quitting. This job required a 3 year diploma, I have a 4 years bachelors. All my coworkers working at my level have diplomas, and I have more in common with all my supervisors who went to the same school, did the same program as me. So, I am already seriously considering quitting, but holding off to keep the water shit-free once the bridge comes down.