Over Qualified
Yes, it's very possible that they saw this position as well below what you are qualified to do and that you would be bored (or realize you want more money) and leave.
It may also be that in your references' enthusiasm to sell you, they oversold you and the potential employer realized you could maybe do a lot more than your resume or interview indicated.
The "overqualified" issue is a legitimate concern for employers. It will make your job search harder if you are looking for jobs if you are overqualified and not matching the jobs to your skills. Yes, there are plenty of reasons to pull back and not work to your potential but employers cast a wary eye on that.
Chet nailed the advice pretty well. They are scared you will be bored....constantly looking...or in some cases scared you would overshadow them.
While it might make you sad (heck every time you swing and miss its sad) it actually is a good thing because it helps you know better the sorts of jobs you really are qualified for. We sometimes under-rate ourselves or sometimes know in our gut we are overqualified but convince ourselves that it really is a good fit. I think this is a great sign that the company had a fair process and likely saved your from taking a job where, well... you will be bored.......constantly looking...or you would overshadow them.
In my last job search which was 18 months with the last 6 as really being unemployed being overqualified was something I bumped into in 1 out of every 3 or 4 interviews (I had 16-18 interviews). Sometimes it was a poorly written job description sometimes I under-rated myself and sometimes I was overqualified but convinced myself that I was really a good fit.
Sorry this one did not work out. Try to learn and welcome to the world where you are no longer an entry level employee.
The only thing is I was in a advertisingsales for 7 years and did very well. When our commissions were cut Idecided to finish my biology degree so I could go into medical sales. I know it is a very competitive field and recognize that I will neverget a position at the level I was at with my previous employer so Ineed to look at entry positions and work my way up in the company. Itis just frustrating because I was told I was over qualified by 3different companies, 2 after they requested previous income history andone without that history but after they spoke with my references. Iwas told not to bend the truth on my previous income because it couldhurt me if they eventually find out. However I was 100% commission andcan't help the fact that I did well, but now I'm looking to enter adifferent field and I'm willing and have been vocal about exceptingless so that I can get into a field I've been wanting to get into. Isthis never gonna happen.... should I just give up? The only positionsthat pay the amount that I have history making are ones that requireprevious medical sales experience which I do not have so I'm between arock and a hard place. HELP again
Another perspective on this is that with many employers, "overqualified" is code for "we won't or can't pay you what we think will make you happy." Doesn't matter that you indeed expect to make less, and are wiling to do so in order to get into this field. If someone can get an "overqualified" individual and pay them entry level, or barely above, wages, don't kid yourself that they won't do it. They will in a heartbeat, and then they'll find the work to keep you challenged & busy (in fact, probably overwork you 'cuz you can do more than the other people at your same pay level). Or, they won't care that you're bored as long as they're getting you at a bargain price.
This isn't true all the time, of course; in fact, early in my career I interviewed with a wonderful HR (yes, thare are some, or at least, were) woman who wanted to hire me, but who knew, and she was right, that I would be bored in that job. But she spent a lot of time with me giving me ideas for fields I would be well suited for. In that case, I think she was being honest.
However, in my current job, I was put in the "overqualified" pile, not because they thought I'd be bored, since they really needed someone with my experience, but they didn't want to/couldn't/didn't think they could, pay me what I was worth. However, I was willing to take a cut in pay, and once I was able to convince them, they made me an offer. Took two jumps in salary in their offer before I'd take it, but I'm still substantially underpaid for the position. Point is, I had to assertively tell them, more than once, that I wanted the job and knew I would have to take a cut in pay. You will have to figure out a way to convince a potential employer that you really want to get into this new field, you fully expect you will not be earning as much, but you are in this for the long run and will make the commitment. I had to flat out tell my potential employer that I was NOT going to use this position as a stepping stone to a higher-level position, in response to the "Where do you see yourself in five years" question.
Good luck. Be confident, be assertive, TELL them "I want this job, and I will willingly accept a cut in pay. I am not going to bail out on you the minute someone else offers me a couple dollars more."
As you have stated, you did very well in your chosen field before deciding to leave because of the commision cuts. It is wonderful that your references are so willing and able to give such a glowing account of your work and character.
What may be happening here is that your references are giving too much of a glowing account. You may want to ask if they could tone it down just a tad.
The field you are currently pursuing, like all job fields, has many sub divisions. The basics of sales may be the same, but you can hardly be overqualified for a job in "medical sales" when you have been previously involved in selling advertising. The products are different, the people you will be pitching to are different. There is a different knowledge base.
So, I really have a problem with the companies basing your "over-qualification" solely on how much money you took in at your previous position.
You have two options, as I see it:
- You can keep plugging away and applying to sales jobs in the field you would like to pursue, or
- You can go back to advertising sales. A position you would like to change.
Only you know what you have to do based on your financial situation, home situation, etc.
I guess I have to ask...
Why are you looking at entry-level positions? You set yourself up to hear the "over qualified" statement time and time again. Three companies have already told you so... maybe they are right!
Sales talents are somewhat transferable. Start looking for jobs that meet your qualifications. Did you beat quota every year? Open new accounts? Lead a sales group? Any of these accomplishments are NOT entry level stuff. Start aiming higher. I think you are selling yourself short.
I have done all the things you listed, won multiple awards as well. The only thing is Medical sales in particular is incredibly competitive. I applied to a bunch of positions in med sales that were not entry and did not receive response except from one. This particular company was a great opportunity, very well know. When I met with them I heard back and they said they loved me thought I had a great background yet another candidate that they met with had the same experience I had but he had it all in Med sales. That is what I'm going up against. Yes sales skills are transferable they will not have to train me in selling but I have never called on Dr.'s I have never been in the O.R. there are so many reps that have been in Pharm or Med sales that want those positions and when I go up against them I do not have a chance. I do not consider these positions as entry level, to me the only thing that is entry is the pay is a little lower than what I have made in my later years, but it took me years in my old profession to get to that level. When I started I had a 3 month guarantee of 2 grand a month then went to full commission…that is entry level…these positions are no where near that. If I was the hiring manager and I had 2 candidates that were exceptional in their feilds but one was a med rep and the other was an ad rep, I would hire the med rep knowing they know the drill when it comes to calling on Dr....that is why I'm meeting with entry positions, because I have a love of science I was pre-med for awhile and finished my Bio degree...but spent too long in a profession were I made a lot of money instead of immediately going into the field I originally wanted to go into.
I think I just need to be open to other companies that have called that are not in med because I'm getting a ton of response from high paying positions but they aren’t the ones I wanted they are not medical.
Thanks for your responses I appreciate all the imput!!!!!
Reduce your sales experience to no more than 7 years as you go on applying for new positions, even if you've got a lot of achievements that don't show up.
In NO case should your resume go back more than 10 years, no matter WHAT.
No one likes to lie, of course, and everyone will warn you that you may get terminated if caught. That is true! However, it is unlikely.
In order to get a foot in the door when you have been "SURGICALLY REMOVED" from the job market by SOME employers who overuse the word "overqualified" WHICH REALLY MEANS "too old" it is necessary to fight back decisively to ensure YOUR RIGHT TO WORK, even if you may be over 45!
Ageism is not a pretty thing. If you allow an employer to discriminate against you because of age, they will continue getting away with creating and perpetuating an insidiously growing epidemic.
Best of luck to you, and keep fighting to get back in there!
Marky Stein
The Interview Expert
Thanks!