Do you think its unfair?

Question

Do you think its unfair that you can be turned down for a job for being "Over qualified". I was an HGV Auto-electrician for 7 years and decided to change my career and i am now studying to be a Web Designer/Developer, i went for a part time job as a delivery driver to pay for my tuition and was turned down because of the job i previously had and what i was studying to do, basically saying i was over qualified to drive a van. Im confused

Answer 1

It's ridiculous, but in your case be thankful that it was just a part-time job that doesn't mean much in the end - there are other part-time jobs to apply for, and you'll get one. You could get a front-desk job at a hotel or a gym, for instance, and I'll bet you won't get the "overqualified" tripe on those - lots of people in those jobs are students or moonlighters.

It's worse, though, when you're unemployed from a career and really need a job and apply for positions that are below your level because you need to. Being turned down as overqualified in that situation really does hurt, in more ways than one - and it does seem unfair.

You'll get something, though - you have a real life as a job-changing student.

Answer 2

I don't think it's fair, but I guess businesses want to employ people they feel will stick around. Training people and setting them up with pay office etc and uniforms, costs them money. They don't want to go through all that, only to have you leave a short time after.

It still comes down to suitability for a job, which may not necessarily have to do with how smart or qualified you are. I think this helps people who are less qualified to get a fair go at jobs really designed for them.

Hope you find something. Good luck.

Answer 3

thts reyt unfair but then again neva had tht problem lol n u obviously can do betta than that job driving a van i was happy with a job as an IT technician driving round fixing peoples computers but i am too lazy to learn how to drive but i doin an A level in Games development so fingers crossed ill be makin computer games soon

but anyway yep tis the most unfair tht they sed u were over qualified for job surely thts a bonus for them maybe they felt intimidated by ur fancy qualifications and tht u wud take ova or somat lol nvm u obviously can do ten times betta

Answer 4

Yes, I do think it's unfair but I also think that if you're "overqualified" and have that much experience, they are obligated to pay you a certain amount of money or something like that. And the job you applied for probably doesn't pay what you were making before.

An easy way to solve this would be to leave your prior education and experience off of your application. That's what I'd do anyway, especially since it's just a part time gig.

Answer 5

I can kind of see both sides. I imagine one of the lines of thought on the employer's side is "why is this guy with qualifications running out of his ears, wanting to waste his time on this kind of much lower paid work? Most employers, I am sure, want to hire people who are the most likely to stay, and also not have half their minds on where else it is they are trying to go. You hire somebody who is qualified for a much, much higher- level career, and after a month or two he says "Sorry, gotta go. I've just got a job in my REAL line of work. On the other side of the coin, it shows great determination and work ethic when a person is prepared to do any kind of work available to him, so he can have a source of earnings while he continues with his professional learning process, for which he must also pay. I believe Employers need to toss their "Policy Book" out the window, and be prepared to consider each case like this on its own merits

Answer 6

to drive a van, you need not tell the company you worked in the higher job level.

but keeping the secrets can be suffering.

i had tried it before and the next thing i know is i have to find a job almost equivalent to my previous jobs stated in the resume.

ps: if you ever change jobs scope, try to find any similarity in the old and new job before you apply for the new job.

good luck!

mercury of love

Answer 7

it is unfair but thats what happens. same thing happened to my brother. he applied for jobs in marketing and he was turned down because he wasnt qualified enough so he took college classes in that area and applied for jobs and got turned down for being over qualified. and no i dont think its fair because they tell people they dont have enough education in an area and then they waste money on college courses and then get turned down for being over qualified. but thats the government for you!

Answer 8

it's not that you are over qualified... it's that they know you won't be staying and they don't want to train you, only to have to hire someone else when you leave... it's a question of cost. Don't take it personal. and just out of curiosity... who in your life ever gave you the impression that life was fair?????????

Answer 9

Unfair?Possibly.
That happened to a friend of mine once,and the employer later told him that they feared he would quit as soon as something better came along...which would have probably happened soon with his qualifications.

Answer 10

Employers do that because they think you wouldn't be motivated by the work if you are over qualified and migtht leave soon