It's easy to think that taking a lower-level position means putting the brakes on your career track or even taking a step back. But in fact, there can be a lot to gain with such a decision.
Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take a step forward in your career. There are a number of practical reasons why taking a lower-level position makes sense.
Career Changers
A large percentage of professionals making a career change will face the need to start near the beginning with entry-level workers. If you make a drastic career change, such as going from ER nursing to accounting on the CPA track, you can't expect an opportunity to jump right to the top until you have honed skills and subject matter expertise.
Of course, if you have transferable skills from a previous career that may help to secure an opportunity above entry-level.
Field Of Practice Changers
There are many people who choose to stay in their profession, but make a change in their field of practice. For example, you may have started your career in marketing for the travel industry, but decided to switch to the pharmaceutical industry.
A lateral move may not always be possible because, like the career changer, you may not have the industry knowledge needed in the field, especially if it is a highly specialized sector. For instance, the technical language used to market pharmaceuticals in the United States follows strict guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The approaches taken to marketing may be drastically different between the two fields.
Job Changers
Job changers include individuals who want to make a switch in the type of company or organization they work for. Certainly, working for a non-profit is not the same as corporate, and going from an agency to an in-house position has its differences. So while you may take a lower-level position, the title and associated responsibilities may vary widely between employersâand it is important to consider the experiences and opportunities available with the open position.
For instance, you may go from an agency to an in-house position at a lower level. Expectations for formal promotions also may vary given the different corporate cultures involved. Essentially, you may start off in what is perceived as a lower-level position, but wind up with far more advanced experiences than you might otherwise have.
The (Extended) Unemployed Candidate
Times of economic uncertainty typically result in a large pool of unemployed professionals who are well-educated and qualified for positions. Under such circumstances, it's not rare for job seekers to be unemployed for six months or longer. There are simply more qualified candidates than job openings available. So, it may come to a point where you have to make the decision to take a lower-level position in order to:
Bring home a paycheck to pay for essentials.
Maintain your marketability (after such an extended period of unemployment, it may be a greater setback to remain unemployedâyour marketability withers with time away from the market).
Help secure a better job opportunity down the road (employers typically favor candidates who are already employed).
Regardless of the situation, here are four key questions you should ask yourself to help decide whether taking a lower-level position is the right move for you and your career:
Does this type of job fit into my long-term career goals? Essentially, will it get me where I want to be down the road?
After taking this position and settling in, if I go back on the job hunting track, will I be able to communicate to a potential employer how the experience has helped me grow and evolve to be prepared for this next position?
Do I believe I can excel in the position and create realistic opportunities to advance within the company?
Will I be happier in the position? Most people spend much of their life working, so it is important to be happy with what you do. Be wary of how dissatisfaction with a job can quickly lead to burnout.
If you answered "yes" to the questions above and can put your ego aside, making the decision to take a lower-level position can be a rational move to help move your career forward. You can expect to be happier with life and your career. However, after taking a lower-level position, you need to maintain perspective on your reasons for the decision. It is easy to let pride get in the way of things. Remember this decision is based on a long-term plan, not a short-term plan for your career.
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At Work It Daily, we're asked this question a lot. The reality is, the reason is different for everyone. The good news? You can overcome whatever is holding you back from getting hired.
Here are five reasons you're still unemployed:
1. Your Resume Isnât Job Specific
While it's good to have a strong resume with all of your professional skill sets, your resume can become generic when all you do is send the same resume to every open position you find.
The Solution:Customize your resume for each job you apply for. By taking the time to customize your resume with relevant skill sets and specific keywords that are in the job description, you'll be more likely to land an interview and, therefore, will have more viable job opportunities.
2. Youâre Overqualified
This problem is common among older workers looking for a career change. But this can happen to anyone who has a lot of experience and is trying to get their foot in the door at another company.
The Solution: During an interview, make it your mission to connect with the employer. Tell a story. Let them know you aren't just running out the clock. If they ask about your 5-year plan, don't mention retirement. Your career isn't over yet.
3. Youâre Underqualified (Or Lack Exposure To The Professional World)
On the flip side, you could be unemployed because you don't have enough experience orthe right skill sets to do the jobs you've been applying for. Maybe you're a recent college grad, and at this point, you're just begging someone to give you a chance. Whatever your situation, employers are making it very clear you aren't qualified.
The Solution: Take classes or earn certificates to try to develop new skills. Volunteer or intern to get the type of professional experience employers are looking for. Focus on the skill sets you do have and learn how to quantify those skills on your resume to stand out to hiring managers.
4. You've Stopped Being Proactive In Your Job Search
If you really want a job, your actions have to reflect your attitude. As the weeks (or maybe months) drag on and you still haven't found a job, you may find yourself getting into a dangerous job search routine. You apply for half a dozen jobs every day and hope for the best. This strategy rarely works. If you want quality job opportunities, you need to be proactive.
The Solution: Make networking a priority. Go to job fairs. Reach out to employees at companies you'd love to work for on LinkedIn. Start compelling, professional conversations with them. Remember: you're a business-of-one. The better you actively market yourself to employers, the more job opportunities you'll likely receive.
5. You've Lost All Urgency
It can be easy to get into a job search rut. Time goes by differently when you don't have a set routine. The longer it takes for you to find a job, the harder it is find the motivation to get a job. You may begin to lose confidence in yourself and your skills as a professional. When your career is suddenly on hold, your life can feel like it is without purpose or direction.
The Solution:Set goals and work towards themâeven if they're just small goals. They could be career-related goals, or not. Maybe you want to get in better shape. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. If you set goals for yourself, you'll regain that sense of purposeâand better yourself in the process.
Being unemployed is tough. If you follow these tips, you'll have the tools to overcome the challenges you face in the job search process.
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Even when you have the education and professional background to qualify for the job, don't count on it as a sure win that you will be asked to come in for an interview. In fact, your qualifications may hinder your chances.
It's very common in today's market for employers to dismiss a job applicant's resume because they are âoverqualified."
Sometimes there's an abundant supply of highly qualified candidates but not enough jobs to go around for everyone. In those cases, job seekers may resort to applying for positions where the level of expertise required on the job is below their previous position's requirements. In addition, those making a career change often need to seek out entry-level positions, where there may be more job opportunities.
The challenge for job seekers is not simply competing with so many other applicants but finding a fine balance of information to place on their resume without coming off as overqualified. Employers are mostly concerned that, if you take a lesser position, you will leave once you find a position that is more commensurate with your skills.
Here are a few tips to help guide you in preparing your resume for the next job opportunity and avoid coming off as overqualified and ruining your chances of landing the job offer:
1. Only Include Relevant Work Experience
Focus on what the employer is looking for and show them you can do it. If some of your management experience is not a part of their job description, then don't mention it. This tip is especially critical for applicants moving from one career to another.
For instance, if you had your own mortgage or construction firm and are now just looking for a sales job, just speak to your experience driving sales. You can also change your title from "Owner" to "Sales Manager." As you list your professional experience, be sure to quantify your sales results.
2. Only Highlight Necessary Degrees
Many of today's positions require candidates to have a bachelor's or master's degree. If you continued to pursue education to obtain other degrees, earning you the title of Ph.D., M.D., or others, don't be so quick to include that information on your resume.
You have to ask if it is at all relevant to the job you are applying for. It's great if you moved on to obtain your Ph.D. in neuroscience, but if the employer's business and the job is focused on finance and accounting for toy manufacturing/distribution, your additional education will be of little relevance and may sway an employer to reconsider whether you are right for the position.
3. Explain Why You're The Right Candidate
Write a disruptive cover letter that tells a story about why you're passionate about the position, how you feel a connection to the company, and how your experience, skills, and talent make you the right fit. If there's a chance your resume comes off as overqualified, even after following the tips above, make sure to provide sufficient explanation in your cover letter.
Give the employer confidence that you are challenged by the opportunity and will be there a year from now. The employer needs to know that you are not simply taking the job because you can't find anything better. They also need to be assured you aren't going to be quick to run off to another job as soon as the market improves or another opportunity opens up that is more in line with your level of experience from your previous positions.
Your resume is a marketing tool to help get your foot in the door for an interview. Placing too much information or irrelevant information will only give the employer more reason to dismiss you. Carefully review the job posting and do your research to really understand what skills and experience are desired for the position so that you present your resume and qualifications in the best light. Not everything you've accomplished, regardless of how significant it is, is appropriate to include on your resume.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.