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Regular visitors to AARP.org’s Money and Work channel may be aware of my “Ask Bob about Jobs” column.  You can submit your work-related questions directly to me.  Several questions are selected each week to be answered in my column in the hope that the questions and answers are of value to the 50+ reader.  Occasionally, I will also answer questions here in my Journal.

Q: I have a college degree and extensive professional training and have worked in my occupation for  more than 37 years.   I was laid off recently and need to continue to work but I don’t want to return to 55-hour weeks and the headachces of management.  I have applied to several good employers for jobs similar to ones I held 20 years ago.  I understand and accept that they pay less than I earned on my last management job. I am comfortable working for a younger boss.  In fact, I have a great deal to offer by mentoring younger colleagues.  I meet every requirement for these jobs but inevitably I’m told, "Sorry, but you’re overqualified."  How is it a bad thing to be overqualified?  Shirley, IL 

A: Shirley, your question is one I hear every day in conversations with job seekers. What age 50+ job seeker hasn’t heard those dreaded words at least once during a job search?  Let me try to answer two ways.

First, take action before the question is ever asked.  State clearly in applications, cover letters and during interviews, why you are seeking the job.  Make it clear that you understand that you are more than qualified for the position and that you are deliberately seeking such a job.  Be careful because the employer may interpret your goal as "I don’t want to work as hard as I used to" or "I’m just looking for a job where I can coast to retirement."

Discuss work and life balance as well as your enthusiasm to contribute 100% at your new job.  Explain your willingness to mentor other workers (avoid saying "younger workers") and the value of your accumulated knowledge and skills (avoid use of the word "experience" which some interviewers hear as "I’m old").

Explain that your pay expectations are based on the value of the position and the employer’s pay structure, not your previous salary.  The bottom line is to let the employer know that you have made a conscious and deliberate decision to pursue the job of interest.  Make your qualifications a point of pride rather than a point of contention.  Raising the topic yourself gives you more control and confidence than waiting until you are asked to explain your motivation.  If you don’t have the opportunity to bring the issue up first, then be prepared for the question sometime during the interview cycle.

So, second, how do you reply when asked , "But aren’t you overqualified?"  Tempting as it might be to jump up and run screaming around the room, take a long and deep breath and explain that you view your extensive qualifications as a real asset to the employer and that your decision to pursue the job is a deliberate one.  Bring up the same issues mentioned earlier about mentoring, pay expectations, work/life balance and enthusiasm. 

Undertstand that the interviewer may be having difficulty actually comprehending that any person would want to work at a job of less importance and at lower compensation.  Don’t jump to the conclusion that the word "overqualified" is code for "you’re too old" or "I don’t have any other reason to reject you so I’ll say you’re overqualified."  Be ready for the question and try to determine what the recruiter is really asking.  Best wishes for a successful job hunt.  Bob