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Advice for applying for a job when overqualified?

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  • 22-10-2007 5:45pm
    #1
    Filan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 703 ✭✭✭


    Am considering applying for an unskilled job , as it's permanent with good conditions. However I am highly educated, just absent from paid employment for the past 9 months. If I state that I have a Masters degree I would probably be considered too qualified, but I would like the job for stated reasons.

    Any suggestions as to what might help my cause?.

    Thanks

    A


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    #2
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    Yeah, I could do with similar advice. Educated to masters level but can't get any work in my chosen field so I have to look for an admin job.


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    #3
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    Filan wrote: »
    Am considering applying for an unskilled job , as it's permanent with good conditions. However I am highly educated, just absent from paid employment for the past 9 months. If I state that I have a Masters degree I would probably be considered too qualified, but I would like the job for stated reasons.

    So you would actually want to stay in this job, or it's just to tide you over?

    If it's the former, I guess if you explain in your cover letter why the job appeals to you (you should state the permanent and good conditions part) they might consider you as a serious candidate.

    You should probably also mention you don't really want to work in the area you got your education in...

    Certainly I think a good cover letter, followed up by a telephone call a few days later, can do no harm.


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    #4
    Suff
    Registered Users Posts: 998 ✭✭✭Suff


    I think something wrong with the market at the moment....I'm educated to Master's level in IT, have a PGrad cert in Bussinesss Managament and have over 5 years exp in IT and can't get a job!


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    #5
    Doctor DooM
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 25,868 Mod ✭✭✭✭Doctor DooM


    Filan wrote: »
    Am considering applying for an unskilled job , as it's permanent with good conditions. However I am highly educated, just absent from paid employment for the past 9 months. If I state that I have a Masters degree I would probably be considered too qualified, but I would like the job for stated reasons.

    Any suggestions as to what might help my cause?.

    Thanks

    A

    Not being smart, but why not simply "forget" to mention the Masters?


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    #6
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 23,212 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    SDooM wrote: »
    Not being smart, but why not simply "forget" to mention the Masters?

    Because it is going to come out at some stage. Also, asking referees to "omit" the fact he/she has a masters is just bad form.

    It's a tough one. But, honesty is the best policy. I suppose you will have to craft your CV to emphasise relevant experience to the position, while demoting the masters (perhaps into the middle of a list, where it might not be as obvious).

    It's really a sad state of affairs to be that qualified and not able to get a job. Having said that, I am leaving a position that I was overly qualified for. Working in such a position can be a frustrating experience, I should warn you. Even if it is permanent and pensionable (as mine is).


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    #7
    far2gud
    Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭far2gud


    I think your underselling yourself, you have a masters degree. You should go to interviews for good jobs, confident in your abilitys.


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    #8
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    To the people who can't get a job...

    Are you actually getting called to interview?

    If you are, could it be your interview skills?

    If not, could it be your cover letter?


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    #9
    Newaglish
    Registered Users Posts: 2,734 ✭✭✭Newaglish


    Might I ask what your Masters is in? If it's something really obscure (read: useless), they will understand why you're looking for an unskilled job.

    However, they may worry that you'll leave once the right job comes along.


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    #10
    nesf
    Registered Users Posts: 27,645 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Newaglish wrote: »
    If it's something really obscure (read: useless), they will understand why you're looking for an unskilled job.

    I really don't agree, it's got a lot more to do with the person behind the degree than the degree itself in these things.


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    #11
    mari9464
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭mari9464


    I've been in a similar situation. I finally broke into admin work through temping. I also changed the layout of my cv to include a profile at the beginning, stating briefly my experience and what I am currently looking for. I know most people have that but it took me many changes to get my cv to a decent layout.
    Good luck with your search.


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