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The bigger challenge is to find an employer who doesn’t think you are “above” the humble shelf stocking or whatever. And how honest are you going to be? From a Machiavellian point of view, it’s probably not a good idea to let them know you’ve got a college degree, etc.

The bigger challenge is to find an employer who doesn’t think you are “above” the humble shelf stocking or whatever. And how honest are you going to be? From a Machiavellian point of view, it’s probably not a good idea to let them know you’ve got a college degree, etc.

This is tricky. I don't feel anything honest and legitimate is beneath me, but I hate having to play the game of how much do I reveal about my education/experience lest I make the younger, way less experienced and educated supervisor sweat. I've gone into interviews and in the process of showing what I know about instrumentation, revealing the ignorance of the clown in charge--whom I did not know was so inept until I started talking... But if you play dumb, you may be too credible.

I can get along with and work with all kinds of people at all kinds of education levels, but the tricky part is the interview.

An unemployed friend of mine, 56 years old, white, college grad and former sales director applied to 2 local Home Depot stores and two local Lowe’s stores. Within one week one of the Home Depot stores called him in. At the interview the manager told him the opening is for a parking lot attendant but he was overqualified, he then told my friend he could start him in the garden shop for $1.00 per hour more. My friend took the job.

There are jobs to be had out there no matter what your age or experience.

Why did my friend get a job for which he was overqualified? One reason no doubt is his personality. He is very outgoing and always conveys a very positive attitude even though he struggles with MS and other ailments. No job is beneath him and he approached the interview with the attitude he will win. The second reason no doubt is the manager is a discerning judge of people hiring in the retail industry for low paying jobs with a 50% turnover rate. Instead of deciding the former salesman was too old or over qualified, he saw the positive attitude and demonstrated work ethic. He decided his store would sell more product if his customers interfaced with a gregarious middle aged person happy for the job than a young person with “attitude”.

My friend likes his new job and expects to be department manager within a year. Despite life being rough today he still believes in the American dream.