Over-qualified?

Question

Is there such a thing as being over-qualified for a position you are applying for ?

Answer 1

Absolutely! I've having a terrible time finding work again right now because of this. But it's rare that a high-level position opens in this area, so I'm trying for anything. I've even resorted to "dumbing-down" my experience and education so I'm not disqualified so quickly. At least I'm getting called for interviews now.

Answer 2

Absolutely! If you were looking for someone to do a job which didn't need many qualifications, and somebody very well qualified applied, you'd ask why, and assume that they wouldn't take the job seriously if you gave them it. Probably they'd leave after three months when they found something better!

My girlfriend is Italian, she came over to England to learn the language amd wanted to work in a shop or restaurant for a year. Normally, not a problem, a lot of restaurants are looking for staff all the time. But she's a fully qualified lawyer. She wanted to do the same job as anyone else, but did she get a chance? Nobody would believe she was serious!

Answer 3

Absolutely.

Here is an example. A company that I used to work for ran an ad for a part time file clerk position. Of the 50+ resumes that came in, 5 of the people were coming off of jobs where they were supervisors of some sort, and an additional 20 had been doing some type of accounting or payroll. Half of the applicants

Now, we have a 20 hour a week, $8/hr position. We are getting applicants that are used to doing payroll, accounting, or some type of middle management full time. None of them indicated that they were looking for a career change, or to scale back their hours. Many people simply respond to every ad in a certain category, in this case clerical.

We did not even consider any of the people with that type of employment history. We knew that they would be bored out of their mind doing nothing but filing.

That is one example of over-qualified.

Answer 4

Some employers use that "term" to cover a wide range of reasons you didn't get hired.
1. You are asking for more money on your resume than they are willing to pay and they don't want to appear "cheap" and say - We can't pay that much. Or-
2. There is something in your resume or App they don't like and this is a nicer way to brush you off.
3. They feel that you would be "bored" in that position because it isn't challenging enough and maybe there is little to no room for advancement.
When all else fails call the place you applied at and ask directly- For future refrence, what could I have said or done to be hired by your establishment. That way you gain interview experience as well as know what or what not to put in your resume.
Hope This helped.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Sometimes the job description that you hear about is incomplete or non-existent. Times are little rough right now and people just want to work, they will take anything. Also, being overqualified is a nice way of saying - we are not going to hire you. Makes you feel a little better though when you hear you are over qualified. Good luck!

Answer 6

Are you for real?!?!?!?

Of course there is. If you have 10 years of experience and apply for an entry level job you are overqualified, etc.

It doesn't mean you can't get the job - you just have to sell the interviewer on hiring you.

I've been at this a long time, and I'm always suspicious of people that want to be placed below their ability level.

Answer 7

Yes - if you are overqualified take that as a compliment. The person interviewing you has seen greater potential in you than what the job offers. They know that you will easily become bored and start looking for another job. Send a thank you letter and let them know you are still interested in working for their company in another position.

Best of luck

Answer 8

some supervisors will feel if you are "over-qualified" you will want to move on to better things soon and maybe threaten their position.

sometimes it is just a lame excuse not to hire somebody who appears to be (too) perfect for the job - but the person will not divulge the real reason

Answer 9

I think the fear from companies with someone that is over qualified is they are going to expect more pay then the position might have been.

Answer 10

Absolutely because they're afraid they cannot pay you the money you are truly worth and it would be a waste of your time and eventually leave anyway...If the position is dishwasher and you have a business degree then.. see. It doesn't make sense?