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Nimisha
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194
Content Specialist
09/16/20 at 1:35PM UTC (Edited)
in
Career

"You're overqualified for the job"

Many a times, a candidate gets rejected and the feedback they receive says "You're overqualified for the job." The problem is that this form of rejection has risen a lot and has hit millenials & gen x the hardest. A person who's spent a fortune on their education by taking loans can especially feel betrayed by these lines. But why is this on rise? Is it because the fragile system of corporate power gets threatened when it comes to have subordinate with more educational qualifications? Or could it be that an entire system of politics does not want workers to get well educated for obvious reasons? What are your thoughts about the matter?

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Dhizzy
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34
Efficiency expert, problem-solving creative!
09/22/20 at 12:05PM UTC
Speaking for myself, when I say someone is over-qualified, I mean just that; they aren't likely to stay with the position - or even possibly with the company - long enough for my department (who is paying the tab) to benefit from the HUGE first-year expense of hiring and training them; it's a matter of return on investment. Turnover is expensive and hurts team morale.
Brandi Hinkle
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167
Accountant, Grad Student, Combat Veteran
09/22/20 at 12:38AM UTC (Edited)
It’s not that deep or complicated, often it’s just sugar coated ageism, plain and simple.
Jody Laflen
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310
No problem too big.
09/21/20 at 6:29PM UTC
“Overqualified “ is just a legal HR term that is in place to avoid lawsuits when a company doesn’t want to pay a new hire any more than necessary and which then also allows for ageism, classism, racism and sexism. It shouldn’t be allowed as a legal reason to “disqualify” a candidate.
Sandi Heller
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70
09/21/20 at 3:47PM UTC (Edited)
Thank you so much for posting this, Nimisha. Sometimes I think I’m the only one who sees this. I’m a 56-year-old woman with an MBA. As soon as I took my masters off my resume, my keyword search emails on Indeed.com blew up. I have heard the “you’re over qualified” several times. And I’ve also listened to hiring managers sifting through resumes indicate they don’t want masters degreed people as they will expect the higher end of the salary range. I have interviewed with women through my temp agency who clearly were intimidated by my tech knowledge and background and trashed me on the follow up as an excuse not to hire me. The guy I work for got downright agitated when I asked for more responsibility, reminding him of my degree. Another former GM fired me for not being a young guy with a bachelors (like him) despite a glowing review and co-worker support. It’s not about whether you bring value to a company, it’s the psychological makeup of the person in charge.
Deborah (Debbie) Johnson
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79
Supply Chain Management
09/21/20 at 7:53PM UTC
Wow it is sad that you had to take MBA off your resume. But I get it, I have been looking for work for 7 months, have tons of experience, just turned 60, and I am having a hard time with over qualified, and younger less qualified candidates being hired over me.
ILHAM ALAM
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316
Career Advisor. Published Author in Canada
09/21/20 at 3:14PM UTC
Honestly, these are just excuses that are said for a variety of reasons. Maybe, they really didn’t like the look of someone’s face during an interview, and you can’t really say that. So you say “overqualified” instead. There’s also ageism at play here too. In addition, the thinking goes that if you get an employee who’s more qualified than the job, they’ll likely leave within a year once they get the job that they really want.
Corrinne Connolly
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82
Operations Leader and Project Manager in Boston
09/21/20 at 2:17PM UTC
Such a painful rejection to get. Framing the conversation up front with why you want this job and your circumstances can help mitigate if you are actually "overqualified" and they are worried you will vacate the position rapidly.
Crystal Rhineberger
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2.29k
professional rofl nevermind lets just wing it
09/21/20 at 1:11PM UTC
I always felt this was a brush off and a way of saying You aren’t trained the way we prefer
Ruth Exilus
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50
Aspiring professional/ Healthcare, IT, Business
09/21/20 at 12:55PM UTC
I have a feeling this will come up as I continue on with my job searching. I'm in my early 30's, recently graduated with a master's degree and still, it's discouraging and frustrating.
Paulla Fetzek
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1.73k
Teacher, Lighting Expert, & Office Professional
09/21/20 at 1:12PM UTC
I'm sorry you're frustrated Ruth. It's disheartening to have gained experience as well as the knowledge you've gleaned from education. Only to be told by a prospective job you're "too smart" for a position. Often it seems people either don't have enough experience or knowledge - or you have too much. What's the happy medium?
Ruth Exilus
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50
Aspiring professional/ Healthcare, IT, Business
09/21/20 at 1:20PM UTC
Thank you, Paulla. Sadly, there's no happy medium.
Annetta Moses
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1.31k
Consumer Insights and Strategy Leader
09/16/20 at 2:13PM UTC
Ofter positions are scoped to have a certain amount of skills and experience for a level of compensation. Sometimes an over qualified candidate will accept a position to be employed. As soon as another position becomes available at the appropriate level, the person leaves the other job. A company invested in the over qualified candidate and potential in a short amount of time, the need to invest in finding and training another person. For people who are going to school, I believe they should understand the potential job market for their area of study. I am aware of students with STEM degrees who are hired at an appropriate level while others with degrees in fields that are not in demand having challenges getting a position appropriate to their skills and education. I believe it is important to stay current with develop skills that are in demand.
r francis
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257
09/21/20 at 3:25PM UTC
And THIS is what drives the problem - you just said it - how over qualified people take a job just to have a job. Really?
Kim Allcott
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140
Business Development Director
09/20/20 at 7:01PM UTC
I agree – recruitment is very expensive (particularly if recruiter fees are involved). Sometimes, and particularly when unemployment is high and jobs scarce, recruiting an over-qualified candidate can feel risky, because as soon as the job market picks up there’s a good chance they’ll be off looking for a better opportunity ( or at least it can feel that way). If you’re over-qualified but still want the role, focus on convincing the employer that you’re in it for the long haul.
Sarah_SD
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56
Move fast. Take chances. Improve lives.
09/21/20 at 12:42PM UTC
Yes. I was going to say something similar. As a hiring manager, I do try and lead with an open mind. I have hired two people that were ‘very overqualified’ for the job. I wanted to give them a chance, and thought they had the right attitude. They both were decent employees - but they both left within 4 months as soon as they found another job. It’s hard to tell truly because we did not get to the break even point. I had a candid conversation with both of them and they both left for large companies (I work at a tech startup) because they were looking for something else in their career and the pay was better. We chatted about the startup culture during the interview process, but I believe these people were just placating before they found another gig. No hard feelings. I ended up hiring two others with the range of experience we were looking for that have been absolute rock stars.
Sandi Heller
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70
09/21/20 at 3:56PM UTC
Hi Sarah, while I realize recruiting is a big investment, don’t give up on the overqualified candidates. Do dive into their background and motivations. Pay is a bigger deal than ever right now. Highly experienced people are aware that employers can be skimpy with raises and promotions if your boundaries have been breached and you’re doing more already with without more compensation. People need hope that their company values them and cares about growing their career as no one can afford a dead-end job right now.
Annetta Moses
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1.31k
Consumer Insights and Strategy Leader
09/21/20 at 3:53AM UTC
Thanks for providing your perspective. I agree with you. I am aware of a situation in which a person was willing to take a permanent "step back" for a position for which she was over qualified to give her time to do other things e.g. care for an aging parent.
Nimisha
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194
Content Specialist
09/19/20 at 1:09PM UTC
I'd like to differ a bit here as I in my personal experience have seen STEM people and mostly MSc's and PHD's labeled as "overqualified" , "too intellectual" and so on..
Mimi Bishop
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1.33k
Biz+Career Coach for Modern Gen X Women
09/16/20 at 1:59PM UTC
HI Nimisha, as a coach who works with Gen X ladies (and millennials too!) I hear this a lot. Ageism is alive and it is kept alive for many different reasons. People are rejected based on over qualification for a range of reasons -- from outward ageism to budget impact to poor decision making by the hiring managers. In some cases, it is impossible to get around. The culture is built on the value of. young talent. I think it's an oversight --- but there is little that can be done. We've seen our clients have success when they do a few things: 1. Own their experience both professional and life -- Gen Xer are a flexible group, learning how to adapt to tech, we've dealt with several recessions and changing workforce plus we have the emotion intelligence fortitude. 2. Be willing to be flexible -- this may mean a different title, different pay range, open-mindedness that this may be a stepping stone. 3. Show how your value adds to the company. Resumes and LinkedIn profiles should clearly illustrate how your experience can help an organization reach objectives.
Shirley Leevy
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162
Material Operations Logistics Manager Decatur IL
09/21/20 at 5:37PM UTC
I have to agree with what I'm reading but at the same time this culture hasn't ever left the work environment, it's been going on for decades and these companies get away with it all the time. I've been looking for a new job due to COVID19 and I've heard everything under the sun why I'm not qualified for the job I applied for. It's ridiculous, it shouldn't matter how old you are, what sex you are, if you can do the job that is the most important item that should count. I've spent a fortune on getting my education and experience and too have someone tell me I'm over qualified because they don't want to pay me for the position they would pay a man to do is wrong. I have faced that same problem as well during this job hunt. Discrimination in the workforce has never ended, it is just getting stronger and more companies are doing.
Nimisha
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194
Content Specialist
09/19/20 at 1:07PM UTC
I agree with what you say. But I am curious to know how many millenials who seem to be or are labeled as "rebels" have you encountered and how have you guided them to gel into the work cultures and these remarks? I am curious because I believe we like to raise our voice at every stance we differ from and suddenly labeled as a rebel and therefore when someone say we're "overqualified " we see the undertone and rather cringe instead of being polite and respond in a positive manner. Please do let me know, your insights are very helpful :)
Mimi Bishop
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1.33k
Biz+Career Coach for Modern Gen X Women
09/21/20 at 11:06AM UTC
HI Nimisha, I'm glad you asked. First, I want to say that I think it is refreshing that millennials do raise your voices. I've seen lots of change in the way business is done since I entered the job market and I believe it is bc of millennials ability to speak up. So thank you. Again, it is all about positioning it to why it benefits the employer. So take all of your points and list them out. There may be some emotion that rises up as you look at them too. Like this is bull*hit! etc. After you've processed that frustration then take the next step, which is to turn all of your points into benefits for the potential employer.
Karen Magarelli
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76
Marketing Director, Seattle, NYC, Virtual
09/16/20 at 3:34PM UTC
I agree with you, Mimi, ageism is very alive in the hiring market these days. I interpret over-qualified as "we don't want to pay your salary and you aren't dialed in". It's so frustrating! I got to where I am by being dialed in, in life and career. This doesn't stop when we hit a certain age. And yes, money is important, too. We're paying for kids to attend expensive universities, helping parents all while trying to save for retirement. If you want someone on your team who is dedicated, flexible and experienced, hire GenX!
Mimi Bishop
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1.33k
Biz+Career Coach for Modern Gen X Women
09/23/20 at 1:04PM UTC
Karen, that is exactly right! We have gotten to where we are by being dialed in and we continue to be so!
r francis
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257
09/21/20 at 3:23PM UTC
Funny we pay for expensive educations only to end up right where we are discussing- What a rat race
Mimi Bishop
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1.33k
Biz+Career Coach for Modern Gen X Women
09/23/20 at 1:04PM UTC
It is frustrating! Here's the thing though we are a large and very qualified group -- there is strength in numbers here.

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