Here are some tips on how to answer this question professionally:          

Emphasize that your experiences will help you excel at the job. Say that you’re not overqualified, but fully qualified. Your experiences have helped you develop the judgment that allows you to focus on what’s important. This includes staying updated in your field of expertise, including technological changes.

State your commitment. Some recruiters may fear that you’d leave the job in a month or two. To avoid this, make a proposal that you are willing to sign a contract that commits you to stay for a minimum of 12 months. This can be an effective way to convince the recruiter that you’re the best person for the position.

Suggest if you can be a mentor. If you’re not concerned with the title and salary, ask if you can be an anchor or mentor to your younger coworkers. You can ask for a salary that will fit the company budget while providing essential knowledge to other employees.

Convince the recruiter how much of a team player you are. Some hiring managers don’t even bother hiring “overqualified” workers, since some behave and work poorly from day one. You can assure the hiring manager that your goal is to help the company succeed, and that there is no reason to expect the worst.

Don’t even consider dumbing down. If you think you have to lower your standards to avoid being branded as overqualified, think again. This only moves your career backward, and you might end up being hired in a company that you wanted to avoid.

These pointers should help you come up with a solid answer whenever you’re faced with this question in an interview. Being sincere is most important — let the recruiter know how serious you are in applying for the job, no matter how “overqualified” you are.

Practice your answers over and over again before every interview. Don’t try to memorize your lines — it can ruin the flow of the conversation. You don’t want to sound like a robot, especially if you want to create a good impression.

It doesn’t hurt to smile, even if the recruiter asks intimidating questions. Your response will let the hiring manager know how you handle stress and pressure. If you need to take a pause, feel free to do so.

Whatever the result of an interview may be, don’t forget to extend your appreciation after the interview. This will make you stand out among other applicants, and the recruiter will likely remember you in the end.