Is Being Overqualified Stopping You From Getting Hired?
Posted January 21st, 2015
Having an advanced degree seems like it should be an asset, but as many frustrated job seekers have discovered, a PhD can actually make it harder to find a job. Even as companies are struggling to find qualified STEM professionals, they are hesitating to hire the ones with most training and deepest skills.
Find out why being overqualified raises red flags and how you can overcome the obstacle.
Depth Instead of Breadth
Doctoral programs require intense focus and study on a very specific subject. That leaves graduates with a deep but narrow area of expertise. Hiring managers are looking for candidates with a broad and varied skill set, the very opposite of what a PhD implies. Candidates can overcome this stigma by taking part in professional development opportunities, certification programs, and industry conferences to help them establish and demonstrate their diverse skills.
Gatekeeper Bias
The qualities that hiring managers are looking for are often different than what lab managers are looking for. Unfortunately, all applications go first through HR, and many get automatically discarded if they include the letters PhD simply because of a bias on the part of the screener. Applicants can get over the hump by networking aggressively or reaching out to company officials outside the HR department.
Soft Skill Deficiency
PhDs are often viewed as products of cloistered academic environments who have never learned the “soft skills” that it takes to thrive in a corporate setting. This may be unfair, but it’s important for overqualified candidates to emphasize that they can communicate and collaborate with new coworkers. Try to emphasize group achievements on your resume, and make a great impression during the face-to-face interview.
Retraining Fears
The best recruits are the ones that don’t require training. Since Ph.Ds have a specific skill set, many hiring managers worry that they will require extensive training to get up to speed. It is unorthodox to list lab skills and software expertise on an academic resume, but it may be necessary when applying to corporate jobs. Anything that demonstrates you are ready to start contributing on day one helps your case.
The best way to overcome the stigma of being overqualified is to have an advocate. It could be a friend or family member, someone in your professional network, a career counselor, or a professional recruiter. Their outside perspective can help to reframe your education as an achievement and an asset, not a cause for concern. Find the help you need to land the job you deserve by partnering with Bayside Solutions.
