I can still hear the words of various family members in my head each time I open a book. I remember being told repeatedly to "study hard" and "learn everything you can so you can write your own ticket." Those words were so etched in my brain by the time I entered the workforce, I wholeheartedly believed them. I can remember the feeling of looking at my education and experience and thinking that I had worked to prepare and succeed on the highest levels my entire life. I was laser focused on "making the right decisions" and trying to position myself for success. It was that same energy that I took with me as I sought opportunities to contribute my talents to various organizations. I applied for multiple positions only to receive the infamous "we regret to inform you" response. In some cases, I was granted the courtesy of a phone call, in others there was simply the email that I had read so many times before.
The first time someone used the word "overqualified" with me, I am sure I had a look of utter disbelief on my face. How was this possible? Was there a such thing as being too prepared for an opportunity? It was counterintuitive to everything I had ever been taught. I had dedicated my life to getting an education and personal growth and now someone was telling me in so many words that I had overdone it? I began having this conversation with other people to see if my experience was common. Oddly enough, others had similar experiences and were unsure of how to navigate this space.
I can remember a conversation with a gentleman who told me that he applied for several positions only to be told that his "education and experience exceeded the requirements of the position." After several responses of this nature, he removed his MBA from his resume. I was utterly baffled. He discussed the rationale for his decision. He said, "I have found that it is better in a number of cases for me to reveal my MBA at a later point in my job search." He left a corporate position to become a teacher. The first interview he was granted was after he made the change. I left that conversation with so many thoughts running through my mind. Had I given so much time and effort to preparing for my career only to be forced to deny it? It was something that I could not bring myself to accept. The idea that after 23 years of formal education, getting an open door could require that I not acknowledge any of it. It was unfathomable. Was I stuck in a nightmarish game where I had to take 4 steps back and start again? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is still unclear to me.
In a second conversation, I spoke to a woman who completed her doctoral journey over a year ago. She transparently revealed that she applied for several positions during the year, including part time and adjunct opportunities. She has yet to secure a single interview. Once again, I found myself contemplating the circumstances and sitting with open questions. Is there a skills gap where companies are having difficulty locating qualified talent or are qualified individuals looking for opportunities in the wrong organizations?
These are just two examples of the many stories I have encountered. While the process can be arduous, I am resolved that at some point, the right opportunity will surface for each person who finds themselves in the “overqualified” zone. Hopefully, like in most successful relationships, they will be accepted just as they are.