Posted on Dec 13, 2013

How do you deal with "you're over qualified" in the civilian job interview?

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Since I have been forced back into the civilian job market due to retirement and my last fulltime civilian job was over 23 years ago - my resume is all military related (I've tried to make it 'civilianized') - my LinkedIn profile shows what I'm talking about. I am trying to fill in my missing income (loss of BAS, BAH and only a percentage of my former base pay) so I can pay off my mortgage and other things. Since I only have an Associates Degree, I loose out of a majority of job (due to a 4yr degree requirement) opportunities. So, I find myself between a rock and a hard place - to much experience with 'little' paper to back it up. I know it doesn't help that I turned 50 (even though I feel like I'm in my late 20's due to our fitness standards that only the military holds it's personnel to). So if any of you wise individuals have any advice - I would appreciate it.

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Posted 11 y ago

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Responses: 18

CPT (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

I want to address your main question about being told that you are over qualified.

Are you? I went through the longest period of unemployment of my life after I left active duty. In frustration/desperation, I started shooting low. I told myself that I would actually like working at the Home Depot (another excellent company for National Guard and vets). But think of it in military terms...would you put an E6 in an E4 job? Would it matter if the E6 said he/she really, really wanted the job or that the E6 would be good at the job? No, because it would be the wrong fit. Fit is something that is hard to describe, but when it's not there, it's not there.

The best way to deal with getting this news is to consider whether or not it's true. If it is, adjust your job search. You are not doing yourself or a future employer any favors by taking a job that you will be bored with in 6 months. It will be better to be patient than to take a job you will hate - personal experience talking on that one.

If it isn't true that you are over qualified, look at what you are saying on your resume or during the interview that may be giving the wrong impression. I find that, in general, civilians find combat deployments intimidating - you've done something that they could never imagine themselves doing. Also simple phrases like, "led a platoon" can be misleading because for them, a platoon is what? 100 or 1,000 troops? They're not sure, but it sounds HUGE.

Some of this you can fix by replacing unit names with numbers. Some of it you can't. It is part of who you are. Well meaning friends have suggested that I drop things from my resume, but I cannot see working day to day with people that I had to play dumb to impress. Or people who have no respect for my military family. It is a tough market right now, but the right thing will come along.

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CPT (Join to see)

11 y

Double post, typing from my iPhone...

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SFC Charles W. Robinson

11 y

SPC P K,

What they are talking about is positions over ten years ago, and positions that are not related to what you are applying for, such as listing burger flipper for McDonalds when you now have a IT Certification, ten years of IT experience, and a degree from MIT.

Discrimination based on just the possibility of PTSD is real though, but rare. I do see it pop up now and then on Linkedin discussions. I would still list valued experience from your deployments. I do not shy away from it. If a company will not hire me because they think I could have PTSD, then I don't want to work for them anyway.

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SFC Charles W. Robinson

11 y

EEOC Examines Barriers to Employment for Veterans with Disabilities by Editorial Staff

"Disabled veterans face special challenges, especially those returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan who may have traumatic brain injuries, TBI or post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD, which many employers do not know how to accommodate. The DOL’s Job Accommodation Network, JAN provides special resources for employers who need to learn more about how to accommodate veterans with PTSD and TBI, Anne Hirsh, JAN’s co-director said.

Ironically, the increased attention to veterans with conditions like TBI, PTSD and other mental health issues has made some employers hesitant to hire veterans at all, believing that all veterans are likely to have these conditions. Stereotypical views of mental health issues, rooted in suspicion and fear, “often lead to widespread discrimination against people with conditions like PTSD.” Ansley told the Commission."

See more at: http://www.workplace-weekly.com/2011/11/21/eeoc-examines-barriers-to-employment-for-veterans-with-disabilities/?goback=%2Egna_120142#%21

EEOC Examines Barriers to Employment for Veterans with Disabilities | Workplace-Weekly

In a bid to remove barriers to employment for veterans with disabilities, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, EEOC held a public meeting in

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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca

>1 y

CPT Wolfer, thanks for this advice. I'm going through a job dilemma myself but am finding myself under qualified after 20+ years in the software development field. Some of your points struck a chord with me.

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CH (CPT) Heather Davis

Posted 11 y ago

MSG Kerwin: Respectfully, I know this is off topic, I was a CW2 and I went to Liberty University and not only did they take my Associate degree, they also took all credits for my Military time. I transferred 152 credits and eventually I was able to obtain my Masters degree. To answer your question, I would drive home integrity, commitment, ability to work with diversity. The military has prepared you to work with a diverse population. I would suggest that you look at Hire2Hero and go to Job Fairs on Military Bases and network with fellow veterans.

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MSgt (Join to see)

11 y

Thanks for the college information - I'll have to look into that. I appreciate your input.

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PO2 Edward Stosal

11 y

I usually ask them to clarify what makes me that, and ask them how that would be a problem. Why would they turn down someone that is a)needing work and b)willing to work for them and ask what they honestly have to lose in the end, other than maybe a position they'd have to fill later on, be it because I am in fact over qualified, or will fill another role in their company. I feel that there's really no such thing as being over qualified; you can be a master at something and still have so much more to learn, and to teach those junior to you.

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CH (CPT) Heather Davis

11 y

MSGT Kerwin:

Respectfully, Liberty University not only took all of my military credits, they also are military friendly and offer a generous discount off their programs

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SFC William Hutchinson

Posted 11 y ago

MSG Kerwin, I truly understand where you are coming from. I am retired myself and most jobs I have applied for in the government arena say I do not qualify. I have been using my post 9/11 GI bill to go back to school. I would suggest that you apply to a school to see what they will transfer concerning your military experience and associates degree. Also apply to VA and see if you qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Good Luck

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MSgt (Join to see)

11 y

I decided to split my Post 9/11 GI Bill between my two daugthers - that way they wouldn't be burdened without a monsterous college loan repayment after graduation like most of our children are these days.

So, I will have to look at other options for funding my further college education - until I acheive gainful employment. It's good to hear other service members are using the benefit - it's a rough scenario out there without the expensive college paper to back up your experience.

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SFC William Hutchinson

11 y

That is awesome. I love that about the post 9/11 GI bill. You could look at Pell grants to see what you qualify for.

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