Accursio Marciante ⋅ Union , NJ Standard Chartered Bank ⋅ 11 years experience

Hi Robert,

I am not sure what industry you are breaking into my some of the larger corporations should have graduate rotational programs where you work in a handful of departments say for example a 12-18 month period. Once you find a good fit then you can recommend for that area or department. My background is financial services and I would check with companies that are military friendly. Don't match yourself too much against peers your age though - you are a unique person and bring talents and skills to the table that others can't match. I would pitch the idea of the number of transferrable skills that you have that can be maxized with a potential employer. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Accursio

Christopher Elwood ⋅ Ocoee , FL Brooks International ⋅ 20 years experience

I agree with Dale on this one. As much as we would like to consider ourselves experts and 'overqualified', we have to remember that we are looking to join a new organization. I too have my MBA, coupled with an MSM, and I recently started my Doctorate. I've been out of the service for two years and I'm just beginning to move up the ladder after starting as a line manager with Siemens. We have the tools, but we have to be willing to start somewhere in order to take a large step forward after a year or two.

DALE JEFFERY ⋅ Missouri City , TX ⋅ 20 years experience

Overqualified? "Everyone has to start somewhere. I would imagine that this merely provides for me to take a "fast track" to get to higher-level management.

M M ⋅ New York , NY ⋅ 15 years experience

One of my favorite quotes regarding this subject came from actor Woody Harrelson in "Indecent Proposal." When faced with a similar response from the interviewing Dean when applying for a Professorship, his reply was, "Fine. Exploit me."

http://architexploitation.blogspot.com/2009/02/woody-harrelson-in-indecent-proposal.html

Expressing the desire to serve the organization exclusive from the position or associated compensation, demonstrates the commitment to contribution. One of the concerns that hiring managers have when considering "over qualified" individuals is the chance that they may be gone in short time if a better offer comes along. If you can put their mind at ease on this issue, you will be much closer to securing your target position.

Just be real and let them know that you want to work your way into the industry and aren't under any delusions of starting out necessarily any higher that the normal starting point. Letting them know that you know that you have to make your bones just like everyone else showes confidence and commitment.

Don't be afraid to push back a little (respectfully) to let them know how bad you want the position and that you are willing to work for it. Sometimes, you have to step outside of the traditional military mindset and push the envelope a little. This is a difficult concept for many veterans to grasp because of the senior/subordinate mindset that is indoctrinated from military service.

Remember, most civilian organizations want people who are willing to take initiative and be go-getters...within reason, of course.

Good luck on securing your desired position.

LT Heath Medley

Prem Shanker ⋅ Bentonville , AR Walmart Stores, Inc. ⋅ 18 years experience

I think it is a matter of your meeting the right employers, i.e. employers who appreciate your qualifications and 11 years Naval Officer experience. You mentioned business employers hesitate in offering you either entry-level or senior-level positions; however there must be several business employers that should be delighted to take you in middle-level positions.

You must highlight your 'ability to learn new skills' and qualities you learnt in your Naval career that 'directly apply to business' in your interviews. Best wishes!

Roger James ⋅ Buford , GA Liberty Mutual ⋅ 5 years experience

I have seen a number of individuals that feel or are "over qualified" for entry level positions still pursue those positions and get them as a way to get your foot in the door. As stated earlier, most large companies look to promote their top talent versus hiring managers externally. Those large companies look at their talent frequently throughout the year and move people to the right positions quickly in many cases. I wouldn't write off an entry-level position, but rather look at my skill set and compare it to the entry-level positions available. Find a way to make a connection with a position you see yourself managing down the road and pursue the position with passion and excitement. Approaching it as you are too good for it will negatively impact your own mindset, as well as it will be obvious during the interview process. You show them once your foot is in the door how overqualified you are by dominating your role and you will quickly move into a role you feel you are deserving in most cases. I am always willing to take in an "overqualified" applicant that shows passion and drive to move up as I know they will be an asset not only in the role I am looking to fill but also in future positions within my organization.

Let me know if I can be of any more assistance at all and good luck!

Accursio Marciante ⋅ Union , NJ Standard Chartered Bank ⋅ 11 years experience

Congrats Robert! Best of luck to you sir and good way to start off the New Year.

Hoo-Ah!

Robert Hart ⋅ Barrington , RI Consortium for Energy Efficiency ⋅ 3 years experience

Thanks everyone for your advice. I ended up getting a position with a great organization working nationally on energy efficiency. My biggest takeaway was that networking and leveraging consulting work from my MBA ultimately got me the position. It took time but it was persistence and patience that ultimately paid off.

Mark Ryall ⋅ Greensboro , NC Hewlett Packard ⋅ 29 years experience

Hi Robert, Thanks for serving our country! 2 suggestions - follow through with any Career Placement office where you got your MBA to get insights into companies that like to hire experienced MBA grads also look at companies that have benefited from hiring officers with MBAs in the past. Several quick searches like on Linked In and other sites may give you a flavor. Then target these companies, building your network to get an intro to the right hiring leaders (i.e. from a currently employeed veteran). Research those companies. As you meet people in your fields of interest at those companies, ask them what 'pain' they have....then thoughtfully respond on how your real-life experiences, background, expertise and motivation match well with the situation at hand - citing just a couple examples along the way. It's a more targeted and rewarding approach than searching 'open positions' on the internet and then asking for a 'job'. I hope this info helps. Good luck! Mark

M . ⋅ Chicago , IL U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Third Class ⋅ 4 years served

This is the url of an article from the Jobs section of the NYT, the article addresses your concern: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/jobs/11search.html

Also, someone on this site posted that McKinsey Co. is looking for former junior military officers.

One last thing, during my exploration of jobs in external auditing and tax consulting on the Big 4 companies' websites, I've noticed that they also look to hire consultants with MBA's.

http://careers.deloitte.com/jobs/eng-US

https://ey.taleo.net/careersection/gexp01/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en&location=200000001

http://jobs.pwc.com/careers/business-advisory-services-jobs

http://jobs.kpmgcareers.com/go/Advisory-Jobs/251271/?utm_source=careersite&utm_campaign=advisory

Eileen Laferriere ⋅ San Antonio , TX Hewlett Packard ⋅ 13 years experience

When I retired, I also was told the same thing. So I took items out of my resume and got many more interviews. I got into EDS (now HP) as a very basic Customer Service rep, but within 6 months management recognized that I had skills that could be very useful in other areas. I was transitioned to another area and my salray was almost doubled. I am now (13 years later) still with HP and doing what I wanted to do and have been for MANY years. A little humility goes a long way. I want to add, that during my interview I was offered other positions but chose the CS job....great way to learn about the basics of an entirely new profession and to learn about the company/job openings for current employees.

Patricia Sanderlin ⋅ Hempstead , TX HP ⋅ 20 years experience

First, make sure you have a functional resume rather than a chronological one. List your skills and what you know but make sure to list them in a non-senior way. I have been with my company here at HP for 15 years and while I speak for myself and not HP, I have personally seen many MBA new-hires that started out in respective jobs but were given junior roles to be worked up within the team or department. Often a manager is looking for the right fit with the right skills and drive rather than the right experience as anyone can be trained as long as the foundation is there. Keep your resume functional and good luck!

Patricia

Robert Hart ⋅ Barrington , RI Consortium for Energy Efficiency ⋅ 3 years experience

Christopher, Dale, I am perfectly willing to go in at the entry level; it is just that hiring managers consistently tell me after I apply that I am too experienced and should look for more senior positions. In fact, I just heard it again yesterday. A former Navy CDR who has the hiring manager for one position even told me I was too senior, so it is not about not understanding the military - it is the labor market to some degree, I think.

Accursio, thank you for that suggestion.

Marlow H Levy ⋅ Suffolk , VA U.S. Navy, Lieutenant ⋅ 21 years served

Robert,

It seems that many transitioning Officers hear the same rationales for why they are not compatible with a certain firm. Is there a specific industry you targeting? Also, is it possible to leavage your military experiences by applying for administrative jobs within the defense industry or the federal government? Even if you decide not to stay in the defense industry, it may be a means for getting that "right" experience or position title to transition to the industry of choice later.

Mark Tegtmeyer ⋅ Sylvania , OH U.S. Army Reserve, Chief Warrant Officer ⋅ 21 years served

I'm in a similar situation. Also some companies heavily promote to management from within, so you're overqualified for the entry level positions to get in the company and have 'mismatched' skills for the lower management positions that your MBA has trained you for.

Peter Sherman ⋅ San Bruno , CA Farmer's Business Network ⋅ 6 years experience

I'm having a similar problem with internships. Many companies might hire me for my potential, but because I don't have the right experience, they won't take me on for a two month position during the summer. A summer internship is vital for getting a job post-MBA and for gaining experience to put on your resume.