Friday, September 20, 2013

How to Get Hired When You're Overqualified.

This is a dilemma that many baby boomers have in a tight employment market that finds them unsuitable for hire, through no fault of their own. They helped a company make millions, but now are costing it money because they can command a higher salary because of their commitment and loyalty to their employers.  But smart and experienced people need to eat, too.  So what do you do when it was you who was doing the hiring, the managing, the training, and the organizing,and now, you're out of a job? 

What about you, right? You're not chopped liver, right?

Put those feelings aside. Be humble.  Be gracious.

Then BEG.

Beg for that job!  Show prospective employers what you've done, but then  tell them, "I just want to be a worker-bee! I don't want the responsibility! And this is where and how my skills can be of help to you!" 

Of course, I'm writing this tongue-in-cheek, but there's some truth to my comment about begging.
People need to feel loved and needed.  If you've done your research, you know into which companies you might fit.

What? You haven't done your research?

Well, no wonder you're having a hard time finding work.

You must do the research to know if you'll be a good fit.  Here's a suggestion worth implementing:  follow a business on Twitter. Ask questions: not simple ones, but in-depth questions that show you know about or are interested in learning about the company. Tweet the company questions about when it will be hiring, and what jobs will be available. Introduce yourself. Ask if you can DM them., e.g., communicate in the Direct Message mode on Twitter.

Do you see what you've done?  You've already found someone who is a contact.  The company has to publicly respond, because it's good for business.  You don't need to embarrass the company, but HR will see that the public nature of your communication will reflect upon others' perception of their business, so they will be on their best behavior.

You find that contact, and ask to whom you can write a letter explaining how much you would love to work at their company.  Let them know:  you're a go-getter, but you're not after anyone's position.  You want a job where you know you'll be happy.

No, you don't have to beg for a job. But you can certainly beg for attention.  So, start doing your research, get that resume re-write, and get that job!