Chris Kyme’s Postcard from Hong Kong: Over qualified or over the hill?
Chris Kyme (pictured above) continues his ‘Postcard from Hong Kong’ series – First off, Happy New Year to all Campaign Brief Asia readers and wishing you a successful year ahead, however it by which you measure your success. Whether that be in bucketloads of awards (AdFest is coming), career progress or just good health and happiness.
So I was in discussion the other day about a certain person’s credentials and whether he or she was right for a specific position and it was put to me that they were “Over qualified”. And I thought – eh? What’s that mean?
Either someone has what it takes to do a job or not right? Surely it doesn’t matter how long they’ve been in the game, how old they are (okay within reason, but I know people who are 50 who give off a more 30s vibe and vice versa, personality comes into it a lot), the thing is – are they any good? Can they deliver results? It brings to mind that scene in the movie Kramer vs Kramer where the Dustin Hoffman character was deemed “over-qualified” but he desperately needed a job.
And it got me thinking, is Lionel Messi overqualified? When he was joining Inter Miami, did they say “Sorry pal, you’re a good player and all that but to be honest, you’ve been in the game too long and you’ve won way too many trophies…we’re looking for someone…er younger.”
I reckon I was considered overqualified about 20 years ago, but here I am still working (I’m not saying how old I am but I witnessed England winning the World Cup before Lionel Messi was born) and although I’m not in full-flight mid career, we still have clients who still come to us with projects and not once in the 15 years or so I’ve been running my own agency biz has a client said “Yes we’d like to give you the business but frankly you’re a bit overqualified what with your extensive CV and positions held and all that.”
I’ve been accused of many things including being too childish with an immature sense of humour, but overqualified has never come up. Of course, it’s always important to think ahead in your career and I could see the topics of age and experience likely rearing their ugly heads at some future stage, that’s just being realistic, hence I set up my own shop. And in doing so, gave myself a career extensive way beyond when most of my contemporaries would have been hanging up their boots. Or gloves. Or whatever.
It’s called taking control of your own destiny.
And I think this is important when you’re navigating your often turbulent creative career. Made especially more turbulent what with the recent events in our industry and monstrous changes leaving some out on their butts and thinking “What’s next’?
Having been through all that (well, to a point – I’ve never actually been fired – true – because I always thought ahead and made sure I was the one doing the firing) it puts me in a fairly good position to offer advice.
I’ve had more than one or two more senior people come to me in Hong Kong recently seeking some guidance. Maybe I come across as some sort of industry Zen master (could be the grey hair) but I do like to help. And partly because I’m thankfully in a position whereby, although I’m still creatively active, I no longer need to chase money (I’ve got a smart missus) and we now choose to only work with clients we know and like.
There is no such thing as retirement. If you still have creative passion, you still have much to offer. It’s important to keep your brain ticking over or grow old faster. It brings to mind that ad from the great Albany Life print campaign from the 1980s promoting the idea of a second career, which showed an armchair and an electric chair and said that the armchair had killed more people.
Speaking of armchairs, when you’re experienced you know what’s gone down before. In which case a more seasoned person might have spotted that the recent Apple Watch film was a tad too close for comfort to the Reebok ‘Escape the sofa’ and ‘Lose the beer belly’ ads from early 2000s. Just a thought.
So my advice is – think ahead. Going back to the earlier conversation I referred to, I get it. It is a young persons business – at least as far as appearances go. And the role I was referring to likely required someone who fitted that description.
But make no mistake, if you’re a bit long in the tooth, you still have a lot, in fact probably more, to offer.
We’ve had clients who specifically wanted some maturity on the case. Someone who could think about their business problems, not who’s the hottest KOL to make videos of. And as someone with experience, that’s what you have to offer. You know more. You’ve been there and done it. You’re wise and level-headed and can likely solve problems quicker.
There are creative folks like this in Hong Kong right now, who, while maybe don’t fit the profile of what the network agencies are looking for these days, still have the talent, ability and attitude it takes to offer a lot to clients.
Oh, and by the way, clients don’t give a shit about whether you’re “over-qualified” or not. They just care about whether you can solve their problems.
Promote your services. Start an agency. The recent humongous conglomerate consolidations actually present a wonderful opportunity to go out there and be the next great independent thing. Look at the independent creative agencies around the world now who are topping awards charts. DDB gone? Be the next DDB.
Hong Kong has its fair share of small independent creative agencies these days. The only criticism I would make is, I don’t think many of them are necessarily churning out great work. But they are making money, often at the expense of the big networks.
Don’t think “over-qualified”, you’re more than qualified. And that’s an edge.
Read Chris Kyme’s 2025 Postcard’s from Hong Kong Below:
Mind the (creative) gap
With a Sydney visitor
Christopher Lee, an inspiration to young Hong Kong hopefuls
From Tan Khiang to Tea Khiang
In Search of the Sweet Spot
Welcome to Newviola
And the award goes to… some braver clients
A look inside the Beehive
A rocket that landed in Hong Kong
In search of Hong Kong (yet again)