Maybe you've been laid off from a high-paying job and prospects for similar positions are scarce. Perhaps you're looking for a greater work-life balance that only a step down the corporate ladder can provide. Or maybe you are considering trading your big-fish-in-a-small-pond experience to work for a large company.

    可能你剛從一個高收入的職位下下來同等條件的職位卻非常稀缺。也許你試圖尋找的工作與生活的平衡只有降一個檔次的公司才能提供，也有可能你不想在當小廟里的大佛轉投大公司的懷抱。

    Whatever the case, you may hear those dreaded words: "You're overqualified." And you need to know how to reply.

    不管是哪種情況，你都可能會聽到下面這句話："你的條件太好了。"你需要應該如何回應這句話。

    What Does 'Overqualified' Mean?

    "條件太好了"意味著什么呢？

    They say "overqualified." You say "experienced."

    他們說"條件太好了",你可以說是"經驗豐富的".

    Why wouldn't a company want to hire someone with more-than-ample experience and skills?

    為什么一家公司會不愿意聘用資歷和能力都比要求更高的人呢？

    A potential employer may be nervous that someone with a lengthy resume and extensive credentials will grow restless in a position that isn't challenging. Or they may be concerned that you're just looking for something to pass the time until a better job comes along.

    一個潛在的雇主可能會擔心一個有過很多經驗和很多證書的人在一個沒有挑戰性的職位上會做不長久，或者他們可能認為你只是想用這份工作消磨消磨時間等待更好的機會來臨。

    If an employer expresses fear that you will leave once you find a "better" job, point to your past employment record （if appropriate）. You can also offer to sign an employment contract.

    如果雇主表達了對你會另擇高枝的顧慮，如果合適的話，提一提你過去的工作記錄，你還可以簽訂一份雇傭合同。

    An employer may also be worried that they can't pay your desired salary. If so, consider lowering your salary requirement. You can also point out, if it's true, how you may have cut costs at previous jobs.

    雇主還可能擔心他們不能付給你合適的薪水。這樣的話，主動提出降薪吧，如果確有其事，你也可以說說你在之前的工作中如何自動降薪。

    Take It Down a Notch

    盡量讓自己"符合"要求

    Avoid setting off the "overqualified" alarm bells with your resume and cover letter.

    不要在簡歷和求職信中發布"條件太高"的警報。

    Tailor your resume to the job description. Don't send a $100,000 resume for a $70,000 job. You can also omit part of an extensive job history if it isn't related to the job you're seeking. But do so carefully, making sure you don't leave any gaps on your resume.

    按照工作需要打造你的簡歷。應聘一份七萬美元的工作就不要發一份價值十萬美元的簡歷。你還可以省略一些和想要找的工作類型關系不大的工作經歷。但是這樣做的時候要小心，確保你沒有留下任何待業的時間。

    Also remove what could be considered intimidating facts and details. If you're trying to get a job as an account executive at a small company, you may not want to include that you were, say, a Rhodes scholar. If you have an advanced degree that isn't relevant to the job, you may want to omit it too.

    還要去掉那些可能有點嚇人的事實和細節。如果你想在一家小公司得到一份業務經管員的工作，你也許不想提到你曾是領羅氏獎學金的研究生（譯者注：羅氏獎學金是美國大學歷史最長并且也是聲譽最高的獎學金）.如果你有一個和工作關系不大的高等學位，也可以把它忽略不計。

    In your cover letter, explain your circumstances and put a positive spin on your experience. Express your enthusiasm for the position and be realistic about salary requirements.

    在求職信中，解釋你的情況，給你的經歷渲染上積極的色彩。對應聘的職位表達出你的激情，在薪水方面就現實一點吧。

    Direct and to the Point

    切中要害

    Be prepared to address the issue of being overqualified during an interview.

    在面試中做好準備應對條件過高的問題。

    Often, people throw the term "overqualified" around vaguely. An interviewer may be saying that you're too skilled to be a strong candidate - or she may be complimenting your extensive experience.

    通常情況下，人們會含含糊糊的說出"條件過高"的意思。一位面試官可能會說你太有能力了是一位很強的應聘者--或者可能會成在你豐富的經歷。

    As soon as she mentions the word "overqualified," politely ask for more details. Once you understand the meaning behind it, you can properly address her concern.

    只要她提到"條件太高"這個詞，禮貌的詢問更多的細節。一旦你知道這背后的含義，你就能合適的解除她的擔心。

    Explain why you want the job and feel it's a good fit for you. Stress that you are comfortable accepting a position at this particular level.

    解釋一下為什么你想要這份工作，為什么你覺得它正合適。要強調你接受這樣一個層次的工作覺得很舒服自在。

    You may also want to emphasize good relationships with former managers and coworkers in the interviewer. This can help allay fears that you might upset the balance of the team or have trouble taking direction.

    你還可以對面試官強調一下你和前上司以及前同事們關系良好。這有助于減輕你可能影響團隊平衡或者在領導方面的擔憂。

    Old Enough to Know Better

    年齡大了解的更多。

    Unfortunately, some employers use the term "overqualified" to mean "too old."

    不幸的是，一些雇主們用"條件過高"這樣的說法來表達"年齡太大"這個意思。

    Age discrimination is illegal, but unfortunately it still occurs. There were 19,124 charges of age discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission （EEOC） in 2003.

    年齡歧視是非法的，但是這種事情還是不幸的一再上演。2003年美國平等就業機會委員會收到19,124項關于年齡歧視的指控。

    The Age Discrimination in Employment Act （ADEA） protects people age 40 and over from employment discrimination based on age. It also says that an employer may not refuse to hire those workers because of their age.

    《雇員年齡歧視法》保護了40歲及40歲以上的人群的就業權力，它還提出雇主不可以因為年齡問題拒絕雇傭這些工人。