How do you customise your CV when your current role is more senior than the job you wish to apply for? A common frustration with many job applicants is that you are told you are over qualified when you apply for a new role however, you know you have all the relevant skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications which are complemented with a successful employment record.
For those businesses who recognise talent, you will be deemed to be a great find. Sadly, you cannot get away from the fact that many employers do not wish to consider job seekers who ooze with experience for the very reasons that they either believe you are using them as a stop gap (you maybe in between jobs for example and this is better than being out of work) and they assume therefore that you will not stay or, you will get bored very quickly as the role is too mundane or, it could be that they may feel threatened of someone like yourself joining the business as clearly you have more experience!
So, what do we do to try and ensure that we at least get to interview and pass the first hurdle when your job title clearly shows that you are over qualified?
You should ensure that the job title you were given in your contract of employment is the one which is displayed on your CV. Do not try to be creative with your job title and give yourself a new one which is more fitting to the job you wish to apply for because the minute you are referenced and the job title is different, your job offer will likely be retracted! Ensure your bulleted duties and responsibilities are key and relevant to the day-to-day responsibilities of the job you wish to apply for. Provide a couple of “wow” achievements which would not be expected as part of your day-to-day duties. Strengthen your CV with a standout personal profile which highlights your key experience, skills and knowledge. Try and minimise any information which has no relevance to your job application for example experience, achievements and academics. You may wish to add non relevant jobs in lineage, providing more clarity to what matters in your CV.
A few final tips and to help Recruiters shortlist you as a potential applicant, make sure you do not write in paragraphs but easy to read bullet points, choose a professional CV style which will encourage the Recruiter to consider your CV for longer than the average 5 seconds!
We have over 25 years’ experience of the recruitment market and have secured jobs for many jobseekers. We know how to create a Professional CV which will get you noticed and invited to interview.
