Ep. 41 . So, You're Overqualified?Hosts: Dr. Matt Kutz & Dr. Jeff Konin
Episode Type: Listener Topic Request

Topic: What to do when you're told you’re "overqualified" during a job interview.

In this special listener-requested episode, Dr. Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin dive into the complexities of being labeled "overqualified" in job interviews. Drawing from their combined experience on dozens of search committees, they explore what this label really means, why it's used, and how candidates can navigate it with confidence and transparency. Whether you're a seasoned professional seeking a career change or someone who just heard this term in a rejection email, this episode is packed with candid insights and practical takeaways.

00:00 – Introduction

• Welcome from Matt and Jeff

• First ever listener-submitted topic!

• Today’s question: What do you do when you’re told you're overqualified?

Realities of Hiring Committees

• Jeff and Matt’s experience on numerous search committees

• The meaning behind “overqualified” from a hiring perspective

Salary Expectations & Value Perception

• Overqualified = high salary expectations

• Why employers may avoid hiring someone they can't compensate fairly

The Psychological Barrier

• What does willingness to take a lesser role signal?

• Risk of appearing desperate or undervaluing oneself

Personal Reasons for Applying

• Spouses, family care, relocations — legit but risky if not communicated clearly

• The “Catch-22” of transparency

Employer Concerns About Retention

• High cost of hiring, onboarding, and turnover

• Fear of interim hires jumping ship

The Influence of the Gig Economy

• Jeff shares his battle with peer reviewers over acknowledging gig economy shifts

• Job-hopping is the new normal

The Role of Intimidation

• Some managers fear hiring someone more qualified than themselves

• The challenge of fit vs. threat

A Personal Anecdote from Kutz

• Interviewing for a summer job despite advanced qualifications

• Transparency and reasonable expectations won the job

Coaching & Athletic Analogy

• Turnover in coaching parallels modern job market trends

• Overqualification seen as a risk rather than an asset

Fit vs. Overqualification

• Sometimes “overqualified” is code for “not a good fit”

• Employers and applicants both play word games

Transparency, Self-Awareness, and Storytelling

• Why applicants need to own their narrative

• Proactive explanation is key

Real Talk About the Academic Job Market

• Being too advanced limits opportunities

• Recognizing the shrinking market as your expertise grows

Final Advice

• If you’re overqualified and know it, address it upfront in the interview

• Coach your references to reinforce your message

Wrap-Up

• The value of transparency and self-awareness

• See “overqualified” as an opportunity to tell your story — not a rejection

• “Overqualified” isn’t always a negative label — but it can signal concerns.

• Always be transparent about your motivations and goals.

• Fit, self-awareness, and proactive communication matter more than titles.

• Use references to reinforce your narrative and credibility.

Have a topic you want Matt & Jeff to cover on the Leadercast? Email us or drop your idea on our socials!

Kouts & Konin Leadercast – Where Real Leadership Gets Real.

FIU DAT Website

Episode Title: Imagining The Future: Finding Direction in Leadership and Life

Hosts: Dr. Matt Kutz & Dr. Jeff Konin

Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Kutz & Konin LeaderCast, Dr. Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin dive into the concept of Know Your Where—a leadership and personal development philosophy that challenges us to think beyond Know Your Why and embrace a future-focused mindset. Inspired by Dr. Konin’s work and keynote addresses, this discussion explores how leaders can anticipate where they want to be and develop the skills necessary to succeed in that space.

Key Discussion Points:

• Know Your Where vs. Know Your Why: How they complement each other in leadership and career planning.
• The impact of the Peter Principle: Why being good at your current role doesn’t always mean success at the next level.
• The challenge of setting long-term goals in today’s rapidly evolving world.
• The importance of foresight and understanding your aspirational identity in leadership.
• The End of History Illusion: Why we struggle to imagine our future selves and how it impacts decision-making.
• The power of pursuing curiosity—how it leads to discovering passion, purpose, and future opportunities.
• The necessity of pivoting: When to change direction and how to do it with confidence.
• How small disruptions in life, like letting a waiter pick your meal, can train you for bigger life transitions.
• The balance between calculated risk and realistic career shifts.
• Practical strategies to take control of your where and stop playing defense in life.

Notable Quotes:
“Knowing your why is about succeeding today; knowing your where is about preparing for tomorrow.” – Dr. Jeff Konin

“We assume what made us happy in the past will continue to make us happy—but growth demands we explore new paths.” – Dr. Matt Kutz

“If you don’t take control of your where, external factors will dictate your future.” – Dr. Jeff Konin

Curiosity fuels change. If you don’t know your passion, start by pursuing what makes you curious.” – Dr. Matt Kutz

Listener Challenge:
This week, introduce a small disruption into your routine! Whether it's trying a new restaurant, changing up your daily routine, or saying yes to an unexpected opportunity, take a step outside your comfort zone. Share your experience with us on social media using #KnowYourWhere.

Connect With Us:
website:FIU DAT
Social Media: Kutz IG Konin IG

Subscribe & Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform!

Thank you for listening to the Kutz & Konin LeaderCast! Stay curious, stay adaptable, and always know your where!

Ep. 39. Burn The Boats

In this episode of Kutz&Konin Leadercast Matt and Jeff dive into the powerful concept of "Burning the Boats"—a metaphor for total commitment to a goal, leaving no room for retreat. Inspired by historical accounts of leaders who eliminated the option of turning back, this discussion explores how embracing this mindset can fuel success in business, leadership, and personal growth.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone facing a significant life challenge, this episode will inspire you to take decisive action and commit fully to your path.

✔️ The origin of the “Burn the Boats” strategy
✔️ How commitment leads to extraordinary outcomes
✔️ Overcoming fear and uncertainty when making big decisions
✔️ Lessons from successful leaders who have adopted this mindset
✔️ Practical strategies to apply this principle in business and life

Recommended Books:Burn the Boats by Matt Higgins,

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a push to burn their boats and take action!

Drs. Kutz and Konin are Clinical Professors in theDoctor of Athletic Training Programat Florida International University.

In this episode Drs. Kutz and Konin discuss their personal experience with creating and protecting intellectual content.

Drs. Matt Kutz and Jeff Konin are clinical professors in the Doctor of Athletic Training Program at Florida International University. Click here for more details.

Trust Your Team: The Critical Role of Interprofessional Practice

Matt's GoFundMe Link is here.

www.BattleForTheBulge.com

Matt and Jeff are Clinical Professors in the Doctor of Athletic Training program at Florida International University.

What it Means to PIVOT

In this episode Dr. Kutz shares a personal story behind a recent PIVOT and how the concept of PIVOT'ing has come to mean Persevering, Improvising, Visualizing, Overcoming, and Transforming. Dr. Kutz shares a compelling story of his recent metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis and how he is pivoting because of it including starting a prostate cancer awareness and education campaign called Battle For The Bulge. Together they discuss the value of prostate cancer awareness and how Dr. Kutz plans to contribute as well as how you can contribute by donating to his GoFundMe campaign to raise resources for education, awareness, and encouragement for anyone going though any type of cancer or other adversity.

GoFundMe link here.

Battle For The Bulge link here.

Navigating Leadership Transitions and Succession Planning

In this episode of the Kutz & Konin Leadercast podcast, hosts Dr. Matt Kutz and Dr. Jeff Konin tackle the complexities of leadership transitions and exit strategies for late-career professionals. The discussion focuses on how senior leaders can leave gracefully, manage succession planning, and address the emotional and organizational impacts of their departure. Drawing from personal experiences, academic insights, and real-life examples, they explore the importance of having a clear plan, delegating authority, and the role of trust within the team. The episode also covers the challenges and nuances of various organizational types, from small community centers to large professional associations.

00:00 Welcome

00:17 The Unplanned Genius: Leadership Discussions

00:59 Navigating Late Career Leadership and Exit Strategies

02:22 Personal Reflections on Leadership and Legacy

04:22 The Challenges of Letting Go and Succession Planning

09:17 The Importance of a Well-Executed Exit Strategy

17:48 Engaging with Succession Planning and Exit Timelines

22:45 The Role of the Exiting Leader in Future Directions

25:47 Wrapping Up: Reflections on Leadership Transitions

Drs. Kutz & Konin are Clinical Professors in the Doctor of Athletic Training Program at Florida International University

In this episode Drs. Kutz and Konin discuss their individual perspectives on personal branding and how important it is to consider the often unexplored aspect of branding. They believe the behind the scenes approach to personal branding is teamwork and sharing recognition with others. They discuss how critical it is to your personal brand to be willing to promote the success of others and in doing that develop a strong brand that others will promote for you.

Drs. Kutz and Konin are Clinical Professors in the Doctor of Athletic Training Program at Florida International University.

In this episode Drs. Kutz and Konin rant about the differences in skill and development needed between presenting research to an academic audience and speaking for influence and teaching. The two are not same. They offer advice and ideas on how to develop the skills needed to be able to captivate and capture an audience's attention.

Drs. Kutz and Konin are both Clinical Professors in the DAT program at Florida International University.

In this episode Drs. Kutz and Konin passionately discuss the editorial in the November 2023 NATA News titled, "Fair Compensation for Providing Continuing Education: Why it Matters."

Drs. Kutz and Konin are Clinical Professors in the Doctor of Athletic Program at Florida International University.