What Works: Overqualified? You may be sharing too much

This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking with a career coaching client who is late in his career. Within a few minutes of speaking to him, I knew I had to share his lesson with Carson City too. See, experience is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, you have a lot of it. You’ve done a lot with your life and career and you want to share it. On the other hand, experience dumps are highly intimidating. Hiring managers are looking for the best fit for the position they have. However, with the experienced worker often comes a great deal of data.

Over sharing is a top trigger of the dreaded words, you are wonderful BUT you are overqualified.

Late career is different than mid-career. In mid-career, you may still be climbing. You are still looking for that next big challenge. Depending on where your career has taken you, that may not be the case anymore. You may have decided you like being a middle manager.

Maybe you prefer 9 to 5 versus longer hours. Maybe you are looking for a certain level, a strategic role where you provide ideas, direction, and strategy, and lead a time. However, in late career, you’ve been there done that and then some.

So how do you strike a balance between sharing enough and sharing too much?

1) Don’t lead the interview. Leaders lead. It’s what we do. However, in an interview, you are establishing your brand to the employer. To do that, it’s best to not assume how your skills will meet their needs.

2) Listen, and watch, for cues. Your experience is vast. It is doubtful you will be able to tell your whole story in one interview. However, you can pull the best points in response to their questions.

3) Build a rapport. There are a few things you can do to build a rapport. Techniques such as matching tone of voice, sitting forward when they are, and maintaining eye contact, are important to execute during an interview.

4) Evaluation goes both ways. You are evaluating them as much as they are evaluating you. Have a couple of brief questions available to ask when they ask if you have questions.

5) Don’t information or question dump. You may have a lot of questions. You may not have gotten to some of your shining assets. Save these for later. If it comes to a job offer, make sure you have all your questions answered before accepting the job. The time for self-selling stops and the time for negotiation begins.

They want you and you know what you are worth.

As always, if you need help with any of this, I am here. And, if your company needs help finding the right talent, contact me about my new recruitment division.



LEARN AND GROW








Ongoing: Motivation Monday with Diane Dye Hansen at Adams Hub for Innovation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule an appointment).

April 8, 2017: Diane (Big) and Isabell (Little) speak at the Big Chefs, Big Gala for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada at the Grand Sierra Resort. Go here to purchase a seat or a table for your company.

April 12, 2017: Diane mentors at Entrepreneurs Assembly (Occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month in The Studio at Adams Hub for Innovation).

May 4, 2017: What Works for Forward Momentum, Diane speaks at the American Business Women’s Association, Reno-Tahoe Express Network, Atlantis Casino, Non-members: $25 includes lunch, INVITATION ONLY - Email diane@whatworkscoaching.com for an invitation and details.


June 20, 2017: What Works for Forward Momentum, Professional Saleswomen Network (PSN), Living the Good Life, 11:30 a.m.

Coming Summer 2017: 10 Steps to Business Success Workshop – 6-week online class – Sign up here for the What Works for Inspiration newsletter to receive details when available.

September 30, 2017: What Works for Productivity Workshop, Sophisticates Women’s Conference, at Kaia FIT in Carson City. Tickets can be found here. 

Need personalized help? Schedule your individual or group session at www.whatworkscoaching.com.

What Works Coaching

Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, an individual and organizational coaching and consulting firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.