Is There a Reason an Employer Shouldn’t Hire You?

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Self-awareness is a key skill for job hunters. It helps you apply for the right positions. It can also help you ace an interview. If you are aware of the reasons why you wouldn’t be hired for the job, you can address them in the interview and allay any concerns the interviewer may have.

Your instinct may be to avoid discussing any weaknesses during a job interview. But remember, interviewers are good at sniffing out a candidate’s weaknesses. Even if you aren’t talking about it, the interviewer is probably worrying about it. It’s better to take charge of the conversation by confronting their concerns head-on. Let’s take two of the most common concerns and see how to address them successfully.

You’re Overqualified

Being qualified for the job is a good thing, but being overqualified can often cause concern for hiring managers. The fear is if you are overqualified, you will either:

  • expect more money than they can offer you;
  • have a bad attitude, thinking that some of the job duties are “beneath you”; or
  • quit after a short time, once you have found something better.

Review the job description carefully before your interview. If you are overqualified (you have years of management experience and are now applying for an entry-level position), plan to address this right off the bat. Explain the reason for your interest in the job. Perhaps say something like, “Company culture is just as important as the job title for me, and I really love your company’s values, mission and goals.”

Lack of Professional Experience

On the opposite side of the spectrum, you may be fresh out of school and lack real-life work experience. Sad to say, but your college degree may not be enough to get you the job. In the book, The Leading Candidate, J.S. Doe advises, “You should emphasize that innate character and ability is more important than specific experience.”

Think of one or two experiences, either at school or in your personal life, you can share which display qualities like adaptability, good communication or people skills. If you are asked about your lack of work history, you can say, “I may be new in the industry’s workforce, but I definitely have the qualifications you are looking for.” Then, briefly relate one of your experiences, emphasizing how you showed skills that will relate directly to the job.

Avoid Interview Problems – Apply for the Right Job

Most of the time, if there is a major problem during your interview, it means you applied for the wrong job. To avoid this, use our Oregon employment staffing services at Staffing Partners and let an experienced recruiter match you with jobs that fit your skills.

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