Have any veterans hit road blocks with employment due to being overqualified? How do you combat this?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:35:16 -0400

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 10 at 2016 4:41 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:41:20 -0400

I are you looking for employment on the civilian world or promotion in the military? Because being overly qualified is an issue in the civilian world.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 4:48 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:48:36 -0400

Of course. An employer will be reluctant to employ a person who is overqualified for a job. Why? Because the employee will not be happy in a position that is not challenging and probably not paid as well as one that is a match.

The employer nor the employee want to have to start the process all over shortly after hire.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 4:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:52:34 -0400

Try to tailor your resume specifically around with the job requirements are. I'm in the process of applying now and that's the advice I received. Sounds legit

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 5:09 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 17:09:23 -0400

I guess the way to combat this is to apply only for the jobs that you see as a career challenge and will make you happy. That would also work for the employer.

Problem is when you are in need of a job you don't necessarily have the luxury to take time finding one.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 10 at 2016 5:54 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 17:54:36 -0400

I can tell you after 20+ years in the private industry, there is no such thing as overqualified. What you have is a diplomatic, legal way to tell you you are too old. Usually this doesn't occur with a vet that has a short time in the military, but if you retire after 20+ years, plan to hear it more than you want. No way to combat it, just keep trying until you find a fit for your experience and abilities.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 10 at 2016 6:18 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 18:18:01 -0400

"Overqualified" that is a nice way of saying Older than Dirt and we can find someone younger and cheaper. Very True in Technical Fields like Telecommunications. 40 is the magic number in my old line of work. Over 40 they don't want you.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jun 10 at 2016 7:26 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 19:26:39 -0400

Ya, this is usually something older job seekers hear. Part of the issue is the job seeker not doing their homework. If you are a Vet you shouldn't be applying for entry level positions. You need to target the levels that correspond with your level of experience in the military. If you are a retiree you need to be even more careful. I kind of like the comment that said dumb down your resume, because that is really what you need to consider. You need to focus in on how your background meshes with the position description of the job you are going after. When the inevitable you appear to be overqualified comes up you need to be prepared to disagree because of reasons that spell out what you can do for the company. Guess what I'm trying to say is Homework, Homework, Research, Research and more Homework.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 12:50 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:50:35 -0400

Reenlistment???

Response by LT Erik Frederick made Jun 11 at 2016 5:32 PM

LT Erik Frederick — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 17:32:17 -0400

Start with the pov of the hiring manager: why would they ever turn down someone overqualified in the first place? Sometimes the perception, and your mission to overcome, is that you are simply lookibg for a paycheck while you continue to look or simply that you will be bored and move on in the not to distant future. Now you say this is unfair but its reality. Ignore it at your risk. You have to use your cover letter and interview to honestly demonstrate both how this is a learning opprtunity for you and desire to stay in one place for a while. If you cant do this honestly, perhaps you shouldnt be looking at the job.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Jun 14 at 2016 12:47 PM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:47:10 -0400

BEING OVER QUAILIFIED ,YES, There is no real way to overcome this. I tried by down playing my experience only after two weeks I was asked to look for another job because I was making my supervisor look bad. When someone finds a technique please let us know?

Response by SFC David Pratt made Jun 17 at 2016 1:55 AM

SFC David Pratt — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 01:55:21 -0400

Experience and leadership: sell yourself! Although you may be overqualified, the benefit to that employer is they will obviously be getting all of you and your qualifications at an apparent discounted rate.

Response by PVT William Bresch made Jun 22 at 2016 7:56 AM

PVT William Bresch — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 07:56:34 -0400

WASH, RINSE, REPEAT AND MOVE ON...Normal down time for me is 6 months. just sit back, make sure your bills are up to date and use any county programs you can. use any backups you have. WE ARE WARRIORS, WE MADE THE SYSTEM THE FAT FISH SWIM IN, TRYING TO TREAT US LIKE DOWNTRODDEN LOSERS.

Right now, I am at a point where I can start to go up. don't ever give in, never stop and keep moving on, is what I say.

P.S. always remember, you still have your retirement to fall back on...

Response by PO2 Robin Hites-Smith made Aug 3 at 2016 5:57 PM

PO2 Robin Hites-Smith — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 17:57:05 -0400

I have been on that roadblock for years, let me know if you find a solution.

Response by SPC Andrew Gilsey made Aug 3 at 2016 10:10 PM

SPC Andrew Gilsey — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 22:10:50 -0400

I have hit more than a road block. i dont know how many times i have been told i am over qualified. some times i know i am over qualified, but when you are a single parent you need to be able to take care of your family. Other times i have been told i am over qualified, and i can tell from the way the manager is acting, that i am more qualified for his/her job than they are. i have even tried employment agencies telling them i would work any shift and any pay, but was told i was overqualified and they had no jobs available at the current time. Sometimes i think i would have a better chance but just putting my name and address on the application and turning it in. I will be 40 this year and i was in the military for 12 years. right now i have a GED, some college credits, but no degree. i have even had some jobs just brush off my military experience just because i did not have a certain license. I have 12 years experience in aviation maintenance, but yet i am still over qualified to flip burgers and McDonalds or Burger King lol.

Response by SrA David Dorr made Sep 9 at 2016 10:17 PM

SrA David Dorr — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 22:17:09 -0400

Find a very hierarchical company... Something that has a long chain of command and a reputation for promoting from within. Take a lower-level position and work your butt off for a year or so (not something any of us have issues with). Then move up that way.... Or go for a higher level position that meets your qualifications. If you're that well qualified a head hunter might be a good idea.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Nov 3 at 2016 1:13 PM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 13:13:06 -0400

Such a polite way of saying you cost too much or you are too old. I have never liked the term because it is a vague HR term used to brush people off.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Sep 25 at 2017 5:00 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 17:00:00 -0400

I ran into that in 2013. Employers that actively seek recently separated veterans are usually looking to fill entry level positions, not supervisor/manager positions. Most that are seeking to fill those positions want "specific industry experience", not just applicable skills and attributes. So yes, a former NCO will run into being overqualified and underqualified, its a catch 22.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Sep 25 at 2017 5:02 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 17:02:39 -0400

That was the common refrain back in 1971, when you knew damn well it was the DD214.