Sorry, Youre Overqualified!

“Sorry, You’re Overqualified!” Did you catch “The Intern” with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway? Without giving away too much, it’s about a retired guy named Ben (De Niro) who, bored of being bored, is hired as an intern by a fast-growing Internet-based fashion sensation run by Gen-Xer Jules (Hathaway) and almost exclusively staffed by millennials. Seems they needed a couple of older employees on staff so DeNiro gets the gig, yay! But it turns out this septuagenarian, with decades of experience under his belt, surprises everyone, especially Jules, by… Oops, that was close! No, we won’t spoil it for you in case you haven’t seen it yet. But the story brought out some truths near and dear to our hearts. In fact, maybe you’ve been there. You may be an “older” person who’s out there competing with far younger job seekers. And, routinely, you’ve been turned down right out of the gate. “You’re overqualified,” they say. Being told that a business needs someone less experienced or less talented can be hard to take. After all, you’ve done everything they require and have been doing it for quite some time. You offer everything they’ve listed in the job description and more! If you’ve found a position that really appeals to you but believe your resume may trigger the “overqualified” response â€" particularly if you are an experienced candidate and/or coming from a different field â€" it may be best to anticipate rejection and dispel concerns before the recruiter or hiring manager has an opportunity to reflexively disqualify you. A carefully-written cover letter or having talking points on hand for an initial interview can help to nip rejection in the bud. What do employers really mean when they say youre overqualified? Here are a few things employers may really be thinking when they say “Sorry, but you’re overqualified” â€" and some thoughts as to how you may avoid or counter those dreaded words. What they’re really thinking: You’ll get bored and quit not long after you’re hired. How to handle: Consider emphasizing your true enthusiasm for the position; Itemize the qualifications required and how your experience would enable to take them on while hitting the ground, running, rather than requiring lengthy â€" and costly â€" training. If appropriate, spotlight longevity in positions you’ve previously held so they know you’re not a job-hopper. If push comes to shove, ask them if they’d prefer to have an average performer for three years or an overqualified superstar for one. What they’re really thinking: You’ll try to advance to a higher position too soon. You’re going to be a know-it-all and undermine the hiring manager’s authority. How to handle:   Be candid and emphasize how the job closely matches your present professional goal; you have no interest in climbing the corporate ladder, but rather want to apply your skills and experience doing what you do best and enjoy most. The fact that you know more may enable the hiring manager to use you to cover vacationing employees in the department without losing productivity â€" quite a wise ROI. What they’re really thinking:  You’ll be stuck in your ways and hard to train. How to handle:   Mention achievements in new positions in your career, your flexibility and thrill of keeping up with a rapidly-changing workplace which keeps you motivated and keen to learn. What they’re really thinking:  Other employees will feel belittled. How to handle:   Include your skill and experience mentoring previous staff and/or successes collaborating. What they’re really thinking:  You’re simply overqualified. How to handle:   Emphasize how much you’ll bring to the table: Experience so you can hit the ground running; Experience working or managing others â€" proof you know how to fit it; The hiring company will get far more skill from you than from a less-qualified candidate   all for the same amount of money! “Despite  (their) efforts, Biringer again faced a worker shortage and typically drew fewer than 60 of the roughly 100 employees it needed on harvest days.” Much of their produce rotted, which may result in higher prices eventually being passed along to the consumer. What can be learnt? Are there parallels between delicious fruit withering on the vine and older job candidates being neglected for being overqualified? No, although such a metaphor may be tempting. But recruiters and hiring managers know that the job market today has changed dramatically during the past few years, and candidates can afford to be choosy. Finding a qualified candidate is tougher than ever. So perhaps they just need a little help recognizing that hiring an overqualified candidate may prove to be a really smart decision. Don’t let the fear that you’re “overqualified” keep you from going after that job. Even if it means sending a couple of tickets to “The Intern” to the hiring manager, carpe diem! Author: Lewis Lustman; I’m a recovering UCLA English major who loves communicating using today’s variety of media. As Content Marketing Manager for HireRight, I have the privilege and opportunity to discover and share new perspectives on the background check process. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

Why Become a Nurse

Why Become a Nurse If you’ve ever considered becoming a nurse, the right time is now. In many states like Texas, nurses are in high demand, make good salaries, and (most importantly) have rewarding jobs helping people and saving lives. If you’re still on the fence about this career, here are a few good reasons why you should consider becoming a nurse. Plenty of job growth Let’s face it: while we all want to do something enjoyable and personally rewarding, we also really need that paycheck. As a nurse, your career outlook will be excellent. Nursing job growth in Houston is strong, and other cities in Texas are seeing the same kind of positive outlook. Nationally, the number of registered nurses in is expected to grow by 15 percent over the next decade, and that’s already nearly double the average job growth for other industries. In Texas, things are even better â€" the demand is expected to grow by 54 percent. Since Texas also offers plenty of opportunity to get nursing degrees and training, it’s one of the best places in the country to be working towards a nursing degree. Whether you want to work as a traditional nurse or specialize in primary care, school nurse work, pediatrics, or any other area, you’re going to find a job in Houston. Chances to advance and specialize Nursing is by no means a dead-end career. As a nurse, you can pursue an advanced degree that will set you up for even more autonomy and salary boosts. You can become an administrator or enter various leadership positions. If you prefer, you can move into a specialization. Maybe you love a busy hospital setting, but perhaps you’d like to work with children or premature babies. You might prefer a more laid-back long-term care facility, or you might prefer to raise myocarditis awareness or work in social services. You will have a rewarding career As a nurse, you work with people day in and day out. You meet all kinds of personalities and you’re able to offer help and expertise to them all. As a nurse, you are in one of the most well-respected industries in the world, and you’ll constantly feel fulfilled by the appreciation you get from grateful patients. More than 80 percent of nurses report being satisfied by their careers, and over 60 percent would advise other people to take up a career in nursing. Those numbers are well above the average for most careers when it comes to job satisfaction. You can have an exciting career If you prefer to work in a quieter environment, you can, but you certainly don’t have to. There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush of emergency room work, ambulatory services, or even a career in the military. If you choose to work with the military, you’ll also get the chance to travel. While you might not want to do that for your whole life, the chance to do it for a time while simultaneously gaining experience and making a good salary is an appealing one. You never stop learning If you love an intellectual challenge as much as a physical one, don’t overlook nursing as a stimulating profession. There are boundless opportunities for continuing education courses in this profession because there’s always something new in the field of medicine. Throughout your career, you’ll learn about new treatments, diseases, cultures, and even which “home remedies” have something to them (and which do not). Whatever area of science or medicine particularly appeals to you, you have the chance to constantly pursue your dreams. Nursing is a challenging career, but it’s a highly rewarding one. If you want to be stimulated, have an exciting career, and work in a rewarding profession, then consider nursing. The need has never been greater.

Training contract interview checklist

Training contract interview checklist Your first invitation to a training contract interview arrives and no doubt youre feeling pretty upbeat. Youve made it past the application stage, which is no mean feat. But dont allow complacency or panic to set in and sabotage your chances.  Get yourself in the right frame of mind by following our interview checklist Review your application form thoroughly to remind yourself of what you said and the examples you used. This is not the time to take a chance and wing it. You dont want to feel exposed during the interview, so try to minimise the risk of any nasty surprises. The four main areas to focus on are: you, the firm, the legal sector and the world.   Cross check your evidence with the skills firms are looking for, and try to include a range of examples from your studies, work experience, extra-curricular activities, volunteering and paid employment. Check the firms website and use online resources such as Chambers and Partners Student Guide and Inside Buzz to dig a little deeper. Business databases available online can also help with this research. Register with LawCareers to get regular updates on the legal market as well as looking at Lawyer2B and The Law Gazette. To stay in touch with business issues globally read news feeds  (Google alerts are a good way to manage your information flow) by sector and look at websites such as The Gateway. If you know who your interviewers are, try to find out a little more about them. The more information you can glean about every aspect of the interview, the better.  Personalising your interviewers can also make the process seem less daunting and help you build rapport on the day.  LinkedIn is a good place to start, so if you havent signed up nows the time to do so. Law firms are increasingly using the power of social media to connect with students and prospective trainees; if youre still doubtful about the benefits then you might be persuaded by this post: How to get a training contract, featured in the Law Society Gazette. Book a mock interview. Although were not offering a scheduled programme of mock interviews during the summer vacation, you can still arrange an interview phone or Skype by appointment. Check our legal sector page for handouts on interview preparation and assessment centres. Make sure youve got all the logistical arrangements in hand and try to pre-empt any problems that might interfere with your travel arrangements. Interviewers are not generally tolerant of lateness, unless there is a very good reason. Try to give yourself time to arrive calm and composed rather than rushed and anxious. First impressions count, so plan your outfit accordingly. Smart conservative suits or jackets work well (black, blue or grey are the safest colours). Wear comfortable shoes in case there is a tour of the office and avoid open toes or cartoon ties. An interview with a law firm is not the occasion to highlight sartorial eccentricities. Keep those firmly under wraps. You are trying to project a professional image, so one false move with hair, clothing or accessories and the interview is as good as lost. On the day give yourself a pep talk reminding yourself that youve already scaled a big hurdle getting to interview. They like you and want to know more thats why theyve invited you to interview.   Youve already made a positive impression at the application stage, so this is a golden opportunity to demonstrate your potential. Follow the interview golden rule: be nice to everyone you meet in the building (and on the day) as they might all be asked for feedback. Pace yourself during the day and take time away from others if necessary. Dont allow your fellow candidates to unsettle you; when people resort to silly mind games to acquire the upper hand, it says more about their insecurities than it does their ability. Keep the focus inwards, and only think about your performance. Firms often consider if they could introduce you to the managing partner so be professional but also natural.   Theyre looking for bright, capable candidates with a professional attitude, but avoid sounding too robotic. Before going into the interview itself use any relaxation techniques that work for you. Nerves are entirely natural, and can help sharpen your focus. There is, however, a tipping point, so if you feel your stomach knotting at the mere prospect of an interview, have a look at  our recent blog post on  handling interview nerves. And dont just take our word for any of the above have a look at this short film clip from Angus MacGregor, HR Director at Eversheds LLP: After the interview reflect on what went well and what you would do differently next time, just in case youre unsuccessful. If you have any concerns about your interview performance or technique, then book an appointment with one of our careers consultants to discuss in more detail. It might just be a case of a few minor changes which could spell the difference between success and failure next time round! * This post is an updated version of one that appeared on our Law Blog last year, written by Anna Preston. Please note the Law Blog has now been closed and law related posts will feature here instead.

How Your Personal Brand Will Get You Hired - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How Your Personal Brand Will Get You Hired - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career As Dan Schwabel has said before, “If a resume was the deciding factor in recruitment, there would never be a need for interviews.” Here are some reasons how your personal brand can get you hired. It will make you stand out. By creating your personal brand prior to job searching, you have a leg up on your competition. It demonstrates many positive qualities, but most importantly you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make yourself stand out. Plus, it means you care about the way you present yourself to other people, which is definitely something employers pay attention to. A personal brand makes your skills 3-D. By showcasing your writing skills on a blog, or video editing skills on YouTube, it makes your resume more tangible. Putting qualifications on a resume can tell an employer how good of a worker you may be, but making your presence known online by being a thought leader will show them you are the perfect candidate. You are willing to work hard. Creating, updating, and maintaining your personal brand is a 24/7 job. By focusing your efforts into making yourself become more visible on the internet, it proves you are dedicated. Also, responding back to comments and researching industry news are little ways that demonstrate you are ready for a job. Networking is something you do daily. Social media is all about networking, and having a personal brand ties into this as well. In order to get your brand acknowledged, it is important to focus more on other people than you do on yourself. This means responding back to every person who comments on your blog, mentions you on Twitter, etc., whether it’s positive or negative. You can also pay it forward by posting job links or helpful people to network with once you find them. Someone eventually will do the same thing for you. You believe in yourself. Taking the time, and putting in the effort to create your personal brand already shows you are self-confident. Your brand is more than what you put online, it also includes how you present yourself, dress, attitude, and much more. Appearing confident is a quality many employers look for when hiring candidates, just make sure you never come off as arrogant because it definitely won’t get you hired. Has creating a personal brand gotten you a job before? How so? Author: Heather R. Huhman  is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder president of  Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and/or employers. She is also the author of Lies, Damned Lies Internships  (2011),  #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.  

Using Online Branding to Secure Your Dream Executive Position - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Using Online Branding to Secure Your Dream Executive Position Using Online Branding to Secure Your Dream Executive Position Imagine getting a call for that senior-level executive position you’ve been longing for. It all goes well until the interviewers look at your social media profiles. There are some photos and posts you’d rather your prospective employer didn’t see, which reflect badly on your professional image. It needn’t be that way. It’s time to smarten up your online presence to make the best impression and help you land that dream job. Using Online Branding to Secure Your Dream Executive Position The interview is crucial, but it is only one part of the hiring process. Some studies have shown that 9 out of 10 companies check and evaluate the online presence of their potential executive candidates. Some executive candidates put their social media accounts on private and delete their personal information from the internet. The idea is to avoid any chance of recruiters getting hold of any potential information that may jeopardise their executive application. However, studies have shown that half of the recruiters used the internet to find out more about candidates. Also, some companies are reluctant to even offer an interview to candidates who don’t have an online presence and online branding. It’s not that they’re looking for something negative about you. Most are looking for information that: Supports your qualifications for the executive positionShows if your personality will be the right fit for their organisation’s cultureConveys a professional image Highlights your communication skillsDisplays your creativity in finding solutions You could also use online social networks to your advantage. Social media is an excellent tool for reaching out and engaging with potential executive recruiters. Make sure your online branding matches your resume branding Once recruiters get hold of your resume/CV, they may go online for social proof, to check its accuracy. So before submitting a resume/CV, check your online profiles and make sure the details match. By doing so, you can present a consistent professional image. Check the accuracy of the facts and dates. Make sure that your online information confirms what you wrote on your resume/CV. For example, if you present yourself as an experienced executive, you should show a professional network that contains relevant endorsements and recommendations of your abilities. One such site is . Regularly check your posting history and use specific privacy settings Consider your online presence as an asset in your executive job search. Keep in mind that any content you post should accurately reflect your: Personal brandInvolvement with the industry Consider deleting any posts that will damage the online professional image you’re building. Don’t hide the posts since someone can take a screenshot and repost it with your name tag. Instead: Permanently remove such postsDouble check your content before posting it onlineRemember, if you set your profile to private, other users can still quote you You don’t have to set your entire social media on private mode. However, you can select who can see your posts and how various users can see your profile. Consider keeping up with your social network’s latest privacy policy. Create or optimise your social media profiles to improve online branding profile If you’re hunting for an executive position, you should have a profile because: It’s the most extensive online professional communityIt’s an excellent place to promote your brandingIt makes you a more attractive candidate Consider optimising your profile by: Making your profile URL user-friendly display your name rather than some random characters.Expressing your professional aspirations in the headline (located directly under your name). It will grab any recruiter’s attention and make you stand out from the rest.Getting endorsements and recommendations. These will help boost your credentials and act as social proof of your skills. Make sure to mention any relevant projects you have taken part in and any outstanding achievements. Consider asking colleagues and bosses for such endorsements and do the same for them in return. If you’re writing recommendations for others make sure that they’re detailed, on-point, and short, so that it encourages others to do the same for you in return.

Ask the CHO Happy companies and happy cultures - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Ask the CHO Happy companies and happy cultures - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I got this question from a reader who would like to be anonymous: As you travel around on your speaking engagements, and you work with and meet a variety of people, are you able to get a sense of what companies are really committed to the concepts you espouse? If yes, have you thought about, or do you have a listing or directory of these companies? If no, is there interest in drumming up such a directory, sort of a Whos Who of Happiness????? I for one am interested; and, I have passed your information along to all my colleagues hence the reason I would like to remain anonymous. Yes, I am looking to leave my very unhappy situation. In fact, I recently used your interview questions on more than one occasion to suss out whether or not a prospective company was the right fit for me. I would also like to know if geographics and culture play a part in whether or not a company or corporation and its leadership are more apt to implement, maintain and sustain a Happiness Workplace. For example, in the US we are seeing less and less of a work/life balance. A culture that puts work before family and personal life seems like it might not value happiness, so I am curious to learn if there are factors popping up that indicate culture and work ethics play a part. Thank you, CHO, for your time and great work! First of all, thanks for the kind words :o) I work with a LOT of companies, and I do get a very good sense of which ones are truly committed to happiness at work and which ones just say they are. Because almost every company these days will tell you that they want motivated, happy, empowered employees, but not all companies live up to it in practice. Working with managers and people, I quickly get an idea of where a company really stands and that could definitely be put into a listing of sorts. Or maybe something like a certification? As in this company is certifiably happy :o) Not a bad idea! As for your second question: Yes, geography and national culture certainly makes a difference. For instance, because taxes in Denmark are the highest in the world, fewer people bother with overwork and consequently Danish workers achieve the best work/life balance in the world. Also, according to the work of Geert Hofstede, there are differences between corporate cultures in various nations, which he categorizes using five parameters: Low vs. High Power Distance Individualism vs. collectivism Masculinity vs. femininity Uncertainty avoidance Long vs. short term orientation Read more about these here. In my opinion, happiness at work is more likely to be found in an organizational culture that has: Low power distance so you can have good easy-going relations between managers and employees A reasonable balance between individualism and collectivism- so its not all about me, but not all about us either A more feminine work culture so people care about each other A low uncertainty avoidance so people are willing to take risks and make mistakes A long term orientation so its not all about this quarters results I have no proof for this and have seen no studies on it, so this is purely my gut feeling. However, this is pretty much what characterizes Scandinavian business culture, and Scandinavian workers are the happiest in the world, so there may be something there One thing that also varies between nations is peoples expectations for happiness at work. In Scandinavia we have a long tradition of focusing in employees welfare, so most people expect to get a job they will at least like, of not love. In other countries, most people are still new to the idea that its even possible like your job they expect work to be hard and unpleasant. Fortunately this is changing all over the world, and more and more people are choosing happiness at work. Related: Previous questions to the CHO Go on ask me anything about happiness at work Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

How to Find the Best Resume Writing Service For You

How to Find the Best Resume Writing Service For YouIs it possible to find the best resume writing service to match my needs? Yes, it is! If you want to write your resume to the highest standards, this article will explain what I mean.The best resume writing service will provide a high quality resume that reflects your personality, skill set, and experience. They should also be able to customize a resume for each job opening that they are writing for. One of the things that make these services different from others is that they will use cutting edge technology to create your resume in ways that make it stand out among the rest. They will understand the importance of how your resume can show potential employers who you are and what you can do for them.Resume writing services are really becoming more popular because so many people are finding it necessary to get their resumes in front of prospective employers. These services provide some of the best and most unique resume writing servic es around. Companies need to hire new workers, and they need to provide a nice job description for these workers. This helps put the information into a format that will be easy for people to understand.Every year, many different types of resumes are produced and distributed to different types of companies. The idea behind a resume is to present yourself in a professional manner that people can relate to. You do not want to leave something to chance with your resume. You should really focus on writing a resume that displays the best parts of your personality and your skills.Your resume should be as simple words with a bit of flair. It should have a professional look, but it should also be fun and keep the attention of potential employers. The best resume writing service should know how to put together the best resume for a job opening that they are writing for.Agreat resume can take a huge amount of time to put together, so it is important that you make sure that the resume writer ha s the experience, skill set, and motivation to create your resume. A good resume writing service will be able to do this. Because they have extensive experience, they will know what to include in your resume and what to exclude, so your resume should be much more professional than others.You should include your first and last name on your resume, which will help it look professional. However, it is also necessary to have information about your work history, education, and other relevant details. Your contact information, where you worked, and your position are also important. You should also have the mailing address and email address.Finally, your resume should be well formatted and neat. If it is poorly written, it will not be read by anyone who wants to see it. A good resume writing service understands that some people just want a quick and easy way to communicate. You should be willing to put in the time to create a good resume for your job application.