Boston -- With more people applying for lower-level and/or lower-paying jobs than they had, job applicants are more often hearing that they are "over-qualified," according to ClearRock Inc., a leadership development/executive coaching and outplacement firm headquartered in Boston

ClearRock offers the following advice to people on how to reply to being labeled as “over-qualified” for a job:

•       Push back and clarify your position to the interviewer. “Answer that you aren’t ‘over-qualified,’ but are ‘completely qualified’ for the job,” said Laura Poisson, senior vice president with ClearRock.  “Tell them that you wouldn’t want to buy a car that can go only as fast as the speed limit – you want a car with reserve that can handle varying road conditions and situations. So, why would they want to hire someone who can only do exactly what is expected of him or her, when they can bring aboard someone who can do that and more as needed?”

•       Argue that to you, a job is more than just a pay check. “Tell the interviewer you feel there are many components to job and career satisfaction, and that some intangibles might be worth a pay cut to you. These non-monetary benefits could include flexible work hours, opportunities for you to learn a new industry or skill, being able to work from home, or having a shorter commute to work. These are things that money can’t buy,” said Ellie Eckhoff, vice president with ClearRock.

•       Demonstrate that you are motivated by the opportunity the job presents. “When a candidate is ‘over-qualified,’ there’s no question he or she has the skills. However, you need to show you are motivated by the opportunity. The job may offer the chance for someone who has been used to managing people to be an individual contributor, or may present someone in the latter part of his or her career the chance to coach and mentor employees and share experiences,” said Poisson.

•       Show how your background, skills, and experience will solve problems and grow the business. “Some of the biggest concerns employers have about potentially over-qualified candidates are that they will leave when a higher salary is offered, or they will get bored. Convincingly demonstrate how your talents will provide the necessary solutions to solve problems and increase revenue so that everyone’s salaries will increase in the near future,” said Poisson.

•       Ask whether you can take on additional responsibilities to match your abilities. “Volunteer to perform the increased duties within the same salary range as the original job. This will establish your interest in working for the organization, and position you as a ‘bargain’ with talents beyond those of average candidates,” said Eckhoff.

About ClearRock Inc.

ClearRock Inc. is a Boston-based leadership development, executive coaching and outplacement firm that is recognized for bringing best-in-class offerings to the coaching process. We offer developmental coaching for high-potential managers and executives; new-leader coaching for newly hired or recently promoted managers and leaders; performance coaching to help managers and executives become more effective, and outplacement coaching through a combination of a “high touch” career transition assistance and comprehensive “high tech” resources.

Our coaches and consultants have decades of experience, and our customized approach factors in everything from career goals and organizational objectives to client and consultant/coach compatibility. We tailor action plans for every organization and individual we work with, and our track record speaks for itself – numerous advancements for our coaching clients, rapid re-employment for our outplacement candidates, long-lasting client relationships. For more information, visit www.clearrock.com.