Comments on: Being Overqualified Is A Crappy Way To Tell Someone "No"

By: Twitter Trackbacks for Being Overqualified Is A Crappy Way To Tell Someone “No” | YourHRGuy.com [yourhrguy.com] on Topsy.com

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:24:43 +0000

[...] Being Overqualified Is A Crappy Way To Tell Someone “No” | YourHRGuy.com http://www.yourhrguy.com/being-overqualified-is-a-crappy-way-to-tell-someone-no – view page – cached Two and a half years ago, I wrote about a job candidate being told they were overqualified for a position. Here is a quick excerpt: I wouldnâ€™t hire a VP — From the page [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:59:32 +0000

Under Data Protection laws in the UK, you can demand to see a potential employer’s interview notes.

The trouble is an employer will never confess, or write down, the real reason why they won’t employ you.

My previous employer, when looking for my replacement, for example simply went through an agency saying ‘no thank you.’ What they didn’t say was ‘we know it’s bad practice these days for you to put candidate age on a CV, but we worked out how old he was based on when he left school and started work. When we worked that out we put his CV in the bin’ and ‘we liked your candidate, but when we realised she had grey hair we decided she was too old for the job.’

I’m actually feeling guilty for not whistle blowing back then because of how the credit crunch is biting ever harder so they might be facing a lawsuit sooner or later.

When your ‘face doesn’t fit’ it means your more relaxed, more confident and more intelligent than the person interviewing you. Either that or the manager is a homophobe who thinks you’re gay. Very occasionally it might be because they find your religion offensive and are worried you might ruin their Friday night binge drinking sessions.

The trouble is this is real life. It’s not right but it’s not possible to do much about either. The only way to combat it is to beat it in the market place. Most people, in my view, are appalled by ageism, racism, homophobia, religious discrimination and sexism in the workplace. The only way to defeat it is to refuse to work for that sort of culture. I can promise you even today there are plenty of companies out there, big companies in fact, who are on the right side.

By: SmartBlog on Workforce » Blog Archive » This week’s most clicked

SmartBlog on Workforce » Blog Archive » This week’s most clicked — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:04:13 +0000

[...] Being honest about “overqualified” candidates [...]

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:26:35 +0000

I’m a recently unemployed engineer.

I have been told that I’m overqualified.

I think this equates to we don’t want to hire anybody over 40.

By: susan

susan — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:34:51 +0000

I just heard the “overqualified” excuse, and I just graduated college this summer. Is there no hope? I have had 3 years sales experience and an excellent internship, but seriously… I am entry-level.

By: Kim Avery, Certified Career Coach

Kim Avery, Certified Career Coach — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:11:57 +0000

In certain fields there are often ‘standardized’ pay scales. Thus, someone with a PhD would have to be paid a certain rate even if they were working in a job where only an MA was required.

This practice discourages companies from even considering candidates who are ‘over-qualifed’ even if they would have been willing to take a lessor salary.

So many times, ‘policy’ works against both the company and the employee. A case by case consideration would be a much better practice.

By: T. Thompson

T. Thompson — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:48:20 +0000

I have to agree with Greg. I have worked in HR and am currently unemployed. I have gotten the “overqualified” thing a lot! It really hurts my feelings because I have the type of work ethic that is very dedicated to an employer no matter what level I start at. If I have to start in a lower level position, so be it. But my goal would not be to stay there! It would be a never ending goal to advance my skills and knowledge so that I can move up when the opportunity presents itself. It is unfair and disheartening when someone send me a “dear John” letter telling me that “they’ve decided to go with someone else who closely matches our current needs”, when I know that I am beyond qualified to do the job! It sucks! Do you mean that all the years I worked hard getting an education means nothing? Does it mean that all the years I spent sharpening my skills means nothing? Really, someone tell me. What is it?

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:43:36 +0000

It took over 30 years in HR and finally volunteering to help unemployed people find employment to realize how poor a job we did in HR by not seriously considering “over qualified” people for our open positions. I certainly understand Lance’s comments about these people no longer being qualified but there are so many people that are “over qualified” and not given a chance by employers. How about new imigrants who need that chance to have American experience, or the person returning from taking care of their child.
Are we that arrogant to believe everyone we hire will stay in the same position for ever? Do you actually have every hire stay with you for a long time? If you do, you are much better than I ever was.
If you can get 3-4 years from a person, give them a chance, treat them with the respect they deserve, you will find that you may have an incredibly dedicated, hard working, high performing employee that will add significant value to the department, company and customer and feel a loyalty to the company that gave them the opportunity. So what if they find a better job in a couple of years, you had the opportunity to use that persons talent and maturity for that period of time. In addition, that better job may be with your organization.
Regarding them taking a 30K – 40K pay cut, they are currently unemployed, so they are going from zero. That is not a cut, it is an opportunity.
If you consider taking advice from an old retired HR guy who has worked in HR positions from front line to senior executive, don’t discount these very talented people just because you think they are “over qualified” and won’t be happy doing the work. Make sure the candidate knows specifically what the job entails and let them know your concerns about them not being satisfied or challenged enough with the work, but if they insist and they are qualified and know what they are getting into, then give them that chance, you may be surprised.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:32:20 +0000

This economy has been making it very challenging for those of us who are on the front line hiring. Applicants are getting aggressive and are perfectly willing to say… “Yes, I was an SVP at my last position, but I need to pay the bills, so please consider me for your junior position. Even if it is a $30-40k pay cut!” In this marketplace, this type of applicant needs to understand that employers do not want to go through the trouble of bringing them on board, only to have them leave when the job market picks up in their favor.” Very challenging, indeed.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:06:17 +0000

I am in the insurance industry and have all the designations I was hereforto told would “guarantee” job satisfaction (CPCU, CLU, CIC, etc). I also have a Bachelor degree in business and a Master degree in Public Administration. I have received the “overqualified” excuse for not getting jobs, like others. I thought 39 years experience in the industry was going to be a help but the experience has to be pigeon-holed unfortunately to EXACTLY fit what the recruiter is seeking. I try not to think I am now too old to be employed, or OMG over-experienced/educated/qualifed for anything. After 1 1/2 years looking for a career opportunity it gets discouraging.