What Does Over Qualified Really Mean?
If you have been told that you are not getting the job because you are over qualified, it’s time to stop and dissect exactly what that means. If you have a PhD with ten years of experience and are applying as a sales associate at The Gap, then you are over qualified. But if you are applying for a role in your field that is above entry level then being over qualified is probably not the root cause of your continued unemployment.
Communication
There are numerous reasons a job seeker may look for job opportunities that appear to be “below” their qualifications. For instance, quality of life, change of industry, acceptance of new responsibilities may be some of the reasons for doing so. If these reasons are not communicated up front you may be overlooked because of your qualifications.
Appropriate Adjustments
It is also important to make the appropriate adjustments for the new role. Compensation requirements are the biggest factor that can come into play. If you apply for a role that has decreased responsibility from your last role but you have not adjusted your compensation requirements to be commensurate with the position being sought, then you may be considered “overqualified”.
Talent Versus Time
Above all else, an employer looks for talent. The job may only call for five years experience but if the employer sees a wealth of talent in front of them they will not hesitate to offer you the job– regardless of how many more years of experience you have.
So what do I mean by “talent”? Talent goes beyond experience or time on the job. A talented person is a person who can take the job role or strategy, whatever the case may be, and develop it into something greater. A person with talent will stimulate an employer into thinking about opportunities to reshape the culture and benefit from the individuals expertise. Experience alone means that you have a history of doing the job set out in front of you. If you never grew or broadened your skills and abilities beyond that role you have essentially completed 1 year of experience repeated 14 times to make up 14 years of tenure. Over qualifications may be an easy reason for an employer to label why you did not get the job. Don’t sell yourself short in the interview; be the talent.
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:55 am
Talented or not ? can that be appear from resume or C.V?
but its very nice articles :))))
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 am
This is stupid decision for the professionals.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Dear Mmes/Sirs:
The content of your article make good sense and presents some very valid arguments in regards to being “over qualified”, so to speak. My experience with this situation is that the interviewer often times, appears to be intimidated by my presentation, quesions and indepth answers to his/her questions……….. In the end I have been told that ince I appear to be over qualified, it would be embarrasing for the company to hire me and install me amongst other lesser qualified employees. Of course, I had to take a salary reduction which I agreed to because I needed the employment for personal family reasons.
Another factor that is often referenced for not hiring an individual is age. I have been told that I am “too old” for the position because the company’s policy is to hire younger men and women for these types of jobs. What does “too old” mean; particularly if I am well qualified, alert, experienced nd in good health? It makes me feel that the company policy is discriminatory; however, there is little I can do about it.
I’d be very interested in other candidates’ comments. R.S.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:17 am
I think the reason for doing that is psycological.When you’re over qualified and you’re eventually employed and classified with people of lower category with same pay,there is way it would not have psycological consequences.So,it’s always good to put you where you belong.
Thank you.
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