Difficult Interview Question: Why Do You Want to Work in a Position in Which You Are Overqualified?

In today’s economy, a number of professionals have had to make sacrifices after getting laid off. Many candidates with years of work experience are either changing fields or applying for lesser positions in order to simply find employment. This makes them overqualified for these jobs. The problem is that many companies worry about hiring someone that is overqualified because:

• The person may want to leave for a better paying job in the future.
• The person may have problems taking orders from those with less experience.
• The person may try to move up in the company too quickly and aggressively.

They are not wrong. Many overqualified applicants come to new companies expecting better treatment than someone in their role deserves. That makes your answer to questions about being overqualified important to answer well. Focus on how you are a good fit for the role, and how you came to that opinion.

Bad Answer

“I know that your company has a lot of growth potential. I figured I would start here, and if you decided you like my skills and qualifications you could move me up when a position opens.”

You never want to admit to the company that you are there just to get your foot in the door. They need someone to fill the specific job you are applying for, not to use it as a stepping stone for other positions. It also makes you sound as though you will leave if you don’t get a better job soon.

Good Answer

“My experience working at CompanyName has thoroughly prepared me for the job and my experience has served to give me the skills I need to organize, plan, and execute my job effectively. I am confident that I am a good fit for the position and that my past work experience will only serve to help me thrive in the job.”

Focus your answer on simply restating why you are a good fit, while ignoring the idea that you might be overqualified. If they want to know any more about your ambitions, make them prompt you for it. Don’t give them anything they can use against you.

See also:

Resume tips for overqualified candidates

How to interview for a job you are overqualified for 

Take Away Interview Tips

• Ignore the idea that you are overqualified.
• Focus on how you are prepared to be a good fit for the job.