Think about it – You have experience in a field and apply to a position beneath your skill level/entry level because you need a job or like the company and are willing to make the sacrifice of being bumped down a level title-wise. Even though you'd know the ins and outs of the job, you're turned down because you have too much experience.
Wouldn't your experience make you the best candidate for this job? Wouldn't your experience make it so you'd be a valuable asset to the company and enable you to grow?
When I get rejected for being too “overqualified” it makes me think that there is no upward mobility. You'll be hired as an associate and they'll expect you to be an associate for as long as you're there. If the person above you leaves? Good luck getting promoted, they'll either hire outside the company, or dump all the work on you….If they don't actually make you APPLY to the job at the company you already work for.
After all, a promotion would mean a higher wage they'd have to pay, right? And if anyone can advance in the company then what's stopping someone from being promoted to a boss's position and ousting them?