Waste of time to apply for jobs I'm overqualified for?

[Anonymous]

I am a director at a nonprofit with a master's degree and 15 years work experience. There is a job that sounds great that sounds like in the description would require a lot of experience, but in the qualifications section says bachelor's degree with 3-5 years experience. Maybe they are looking for a superstar youngster but I am not sure that the two can really line up.

Anyway, would it be a total waste of time to apply? I'm looking for a change, mainly in workplace culture, and I've been where I am for years and just would like a change in pace. I am likely underpaid and would be willing to take a paycut anyway for some increased flexibility/work life balance (I'm fine working hard and even working a lot but I'm in a place that has a culture that causes unneeded stress. This organization would be more the speed I'm looking for I think).

On the one hand because of the alignment with my work, the resume and cover letter only require a few tweaks, so it's not like it would be time-consuming to apply, I'm just wondering if it sends a bad message. I guess I'm hoping that I get their attention and maybe something else comes up in the future...but I know that is a long shot.

TIA for any advice.

[Anonymous]

Apply. I had something similar happen and while the initial pay was way too low, they want me in the position enough to go back and reclass the job. I was truthful in my app re: experience and salary. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

In your cover letter, I might say something about why you are truly interested in a position that is clearly below your experience level. Generally I think people are wary of hiring too far above the desired experience level because you might end up being more experienced than the people who will be your supervisors.

[Anonymous]

I think you really need to convince them that you are committed to the organization an have a plan to succeed in the position they are trying to fill.

I'm long term unemployed with a lot of professional experience and have found that companies have their choice of quality candidates in the current job market and they really DON'T want to hire someone that is overqualified because they know you will walk if something better comes along. Annoying but that's the market.

[Anonymous]

Apply. Mention in your cover letter your desire to work at this organization specifically. If you get an interview, you can talk about how you feel you'd fit with their workplace culture and your desire for work/life balance. The latter will explain why you are open to a job below your qualifications -- you want to work in the field but don't want the pressures of a high level position. GL!

[Anonymous]

Not a waste of time. Sometimes an organization will retool a job description for the right candidate. And you might also convince them that the job actually requires more experience than they advertised for.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a waste of time at all. I applied for a job that I was way overqualified for. I was hired and stayed in the position for about two months before I was promoted to program director. You never know what other positions might be available in the organization.