ARE you overqualified for your job and have settled for one that has no relation with your professional skills? You may be forced to adjust your life.
Tips on how to cope:
- Do not be shy about your skills. Let your boss know that you would be interested in applying for other positions within the company, which match your skills better.
- Ask about suitable positions that are open. You can also inquire about policies relating to internal candidates seeking to fill vacant positions within the company.
Being overqualified means mental adjustment. This involves accepting your position and planning how to deal with it.
- Fredrick Sebuuma, a psychologist, says one has to be prepared to report to a boss who may be less-qualified. l It may also call for trimming of the resume and downplaying one’s qualifications to suit the job.
- The author of How to Easily Get Jobs suggests mounting an aggressive job search, updating a resume and keeping relevant job-related documents.
- Find out what additional skills employers are looking for and what you need to do to get a cutting edge over the rest of the job seekers.
- Network with people who can give you leads about jobs.
- Take time to search your soul and take an inventory of what matters most in your life.
It is never too late to start afresh. Be prepared to adjust your life to new experiences and other opportunities.
- Take advantage of professional associations. Volunteer or seek membership in a professional association that addresses issues in your field of expertise.
- Apart from acquiring new job skills, you may discover that you have strengths in other fields which you never knew you had, Lubowa says.
SETTLING FOR LESS AT THE WORKPLACE
