“Overqualified,” “Underqualified,” “Not the Perfect Fit”: What Hiring Managers Really Mean—and How to Respond
- virtualassistantar
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
As you’re applying for jobs, you may be feeling the effects of rejection. You may hear your skills are too advanced or not enough for the job. Or, they may just tell you that you’re not a good fit for the position. While not fun to hear, each one of these may have a different meaning depending on the circumstances. Here are a few things you can do if you get feedback that you are overqualified, underqualified, or not the perfect fit for a position.
Overqualified. If your skills outweigh what a hiring manager is looking for, a company likely has a few fears in hiring you. They may be concerned you’ll leave the position quickly, get bored easily, want to do things your way, or expect too much money. The way to address being overqualified is to face it upfront. Acknowledge what you bring to the table and explain why it’s a good idea to hire you because it makes you a more efficient employee. Be open to lower salaries and show your willingness to learn a new position outside of what you’ve done in the past, because you are transitioning careers.
Underqualified. When you are considered unqualified, it means that an employer is looking for more skills, education, and experience than you have currently. Even though you may not have what an employer needs, you may still believe you’re a good fit for the job, and if that’s the case, it doesn’t hurt to apply. However, combine this with a few other key things. One, connect with people who can help you land this job. Try to locate someone already working for the company and see if you can build a bond with them that would include giving a good word about you to the hiring manager. Second, emphasize what transferable skills you have. For example, if you don’t have the required experience using a certain kind of software, mention the programs you’ve worked with in your current field and how they are similar.
Not the perfect fit. When you’re told you’re not the perfect fit, an employer is telling you that they feel there’s a better candidate out there than you for the position. They could say this for any reason, including your career interests, personality, or current set of skills. One of the best ways to figure out if you’re a good fit is to do some research yourself on the front end. Start by learning about the company’s culture. Find current employees online and reach out to them to ask what they enjoy most about working there. You could also ask questions that tell you how much employees’ opinions are considered, like how often brainstorming sessions or team meetings are held. You can also research employee reviews online. Finally, one of the things that will tell you a lot about a company is its interactions with you before, during, and after the interview. Pay attention to their professionalism, timeliness, and basic courtesies, such as if they are polite.
When looking for a new job, you should prepare yourself to hear any type of rejection. Sometimes a company is just not the right fit for you either. Your best bet is trying to get ahead of the game. If you think you could be considered overqualified, underqualified, or not the best fit for a job opening, try some of these tactics to put yourself in a better position.
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