| PBJ - People Between Jobs | |||
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Saturday, March 20, 2004 ( 8:49 AM ) axmc Business Week ArticlesA number of good articles in the latest on-line edition of Business Week. Please note the one concerning the future of work, and casting experience with people skills to the forefront. WHERE ARE THE JOBS? Where Are The Jobs? Economic growth is very strong, but America isn't generating enough jobs. Many blame outsourcing. The truth is a lot more complicated The Price Of Efficiency Stop blaming outsourcing. The drive for productivity gains is the real culprit behind anemic job growth Productivity: Who Wins, Who Loses The U.S. is reaping big -- but uneven -- gains from its highly efficient workforce Guest Commentary: The Harsh Truth About Outsourcing It's not a mutually beneficial trade practice -- it's outright labor arbitrage The Future Of Work Flexible, creative, and good with people? You should do fine in tomorrow's job market Commentary: Stow The Rhetoric Bush and Kerry need to move past politicking and get real about jobs # Tuesday, March 16, 2004 ( 6:47 AM ) axmc Over-Qualified ?From GHM CareerJournal Responding to Concerns That You're 'Overqualified' By Bradley G. Richardson "You're overqualified." It's a common refrain experienced executives hear when they're in the job market. Every week, I talk with job hunters who have lost out on opportunities because they were "overqualified." Telling someone he or she is overqualified is a white lie, and, as a job candidate, you shouldn't accept it. It's like a lover breaking up by saying, "It is not you, it's me" or "This hurts me more than it does you." Labeling a job seeker "overqualified" is a cover for something else. Think about it. Whom would a reasonable employer want to hire: someone who is experienced, qualified and competent, or someone who is inexperienced? Let's face it: There's no such thing as "overqualified." Many employers have preconceived notions about candidates of a certain age or with a high salary history or level of experience. Former entrepreneurs are also suspect. Overcoming this obstacle is a difficult task. Employers don't reveal their concerns, or they hide behind pat phrases. What's the real reason you're not hired because you're "overqualified?" Your qualifications have nothing to do with it. It's a way to package the other concerns an employer has about you. Here is what they really mean: You're too expensive and wouldn't even consider working for the pay we will likely offer, so why invest any more time with each other? You are set in your ways, will come with baggage and bad habits, and won't do things our way. We'd rather hire someone whom we can shape and mold and who will drink our Kool-Aid. You'll be bored and leave in six months, and then I'm in the same spot I'm in right now. You'll be a "know it all pain in the butt" who intimidates the staff. You'll be a "know it all pain in the butt" who knows more than the manager (who's intimidated and fearful that you'll take his or her job, once you expose gross incompetence). You may take this position, but the moment the market turns or you get an offer at your previous level, you'll leave, so why go through that pain? Your best defense against these concerns is a good offense. Address any potential obstacles head on and early in an interview. Don't wait for an interviewer to bring them up, as they may never talk about them with you. If it's an obvious concern like age, experience, or a background in a different field or as an entrepreneur, don't worry that you'll be raising a red flag or drawing attention to a subject that hasn't been mentioned. If the hiring manager hasn't thought about it yet, he or she (or someone else) will before you're hired. At that point, it will likely be too late for you to respond. Anticipate the objection with a simple phrase such as, "You may be concerned how I'll handle working for someone else since I've owned my own business for the past few years. But I can tell you that I'm happy to hand over the reins to someone else and focus on what I do best." Take control of the interview and the information. Present your story so as to nip any concerns in the bud. -- Mr. Richardson is the author of "Career Comeback: 8 Steps to Getting Back On Your Feet When You're Fired, Laid Off or Your Business Venture Has Failed" (Broadway Books, 2004). This article has been excerpted from his book. He lives in Dallas. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> # |
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