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    Sorry, but You're Overqualified?

    IT Careers
    talent acquisit best practices hiring
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    • scottalanmillerS
      scottalanmiller
      last edited by

      I never turn people down for being too good. Seems pretty silly to me. How can someone be too perfect?

      JaredBuschJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • scottalanmillerS
        scottalanmiller
        last edited by

        The overqualified are often the best possible option. They are the best equipped to earn their keep. The most likely to provide you with more options down the road. And they know the best what they are getting with you. Rather than settling, they are choosing.

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        • JaredBuschJ
          JaredBusch @scottalanmiller
          last edited by

          @scottalanmiller said:

          I never turn people down for being too good. Seems pretty silly to me. How can someone be too perfect?

          Because over qualified != too perfect or too good. Those are different concepts. There is no way to be too perfect for a position as perfection is impossible.

          An over qualified individual will have all the skills needed for the job in addition to a number of other skills that may or may not be useful to the job. Those skills will hint at things like what the person may be truly after.

          scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Minion QueenM
            Minion Queen Banned
            last edited by

            While everyone is right on one side. There is the be careful side, overqualified people can also become a huge issue. Why did they leave their last couple jobs? They might be looking below their abilities cause they have been black listed as well.

            JaredBuschJ scottalanmillerS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • JaredBuschJ
              JaredBusch @Minion Queen
              last edited by

              @Minion-Queen said:

              While everyone is right on one side. There is the be careful side, overqualified people can also become a huge issue. Why did they leave their last couple jobs? They might be looking below their abilities cause they have been black listed as well.

              This leads into my thoughts on the subject. I would not turn down someone with too many qualifications out of hand. There are many, many reason that person may have applied. The reasons would play a part in the decision to hire or not.

              scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • scottalanmillerS
                scottalanmiller @JaredBusch
                last edited by

                @JaredBusch said:

                @scottalanmiller said:

                I never turn people down for being too good. Seems pretty silly to me. How can someone be too perfect?

                Because over qualified != too perfect or too good. Those are different concepts. There is no way to be too perfect for a position as perfection is impossible.

                An over qualified individual will have all the skills needed for the job in addition to a number of other skills that may or may not be useful to the job. Those skills will hint at things like what the person may be truly after.

                Hint at is misleading, I think. I have skills in fast food management. It hints at my experience, not my goals.

                Everyone has other skills. I find considering being too rounded or too experienced very bad.

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                • scottalanmillerS
                  scottalanmiller @Minion Queen
                  last edited by

                  @Minion-Queen said:

                  While everyone is right on one side. There is the be careful side, overqualified people can also become a huge issue. Why did they leave their last couple jobs? They might be looking below their abilities cause they have been black listed as well.

                  Possible. But the same is just as likely for people with the right skills or too few. I thinking reading too much into skill lists doesn't have an upside.

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                  • scottalanmillerS
                    scottalanmiller @JaredBusch
                    last edited by

                    @JaredBusch said:

                    @Minion-Queen said:

                    While everyone is right on one side. There is the be careful side, overqualified people can also become a huge issue. Why did they leave their last couple jobs? They might be looking below their abilities cause they have been black listed as well.

                    This leads into my thoughts on the subject. I would not turn down someone with too many qualifications out of hand. There are many, many reason that person may have applied. The reasons would play a part in the decision to hire or not.

                    Exactly. The reasons, not the skills. Extra skills, on their own are neutral at worst and positive at best.

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                    • alexntgA
                      alexntg
                      last edited by

                      A few years ago, I was recovering from burnout and took a helpdesk position. It was low-stress, low-workload, and extremely relaxing. Sometimes taking a step back isn't all that bad to do. If I hadn't been recruited away, I'd likely still be there.

                      scottalanmillerS Bill KindleB 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • scottalanmillerS
                        scottalanmiller @alexntg
                        last edited by scottalanmiller

                        I do rather tech roles even though I'm CIO qualified. Let's me spend more time doing what I like.

                        I actually turned down CIO nine years ago in favour of an admin position. It was a good choice.

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                        • Bill KindleB
                          Bill Kindle
                          last edited by Bill Kindle

                          I've gotten furious (on the inside) when told this, and it's happened a few times. I've applied for jobs that based on the description given, I feel like I could grow in and learn some new things only to be told that I'm over qualified.

                          FFS, I either get told It's because I don't have a bachelor's degree, or I'm over qualified. It's maddening. Was even told once that I appeared to be a 'job shopper' even though every job I have ever had since my Wal-Mart days has been on average 3+ years.

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                          • Bill KindleB
                            Bill Kindle @alexntg
                            last edited by

                            @alexntg said:

                            A few years ago, I was recovering from burnout and took a helpdesk position. It was low-stress, low-workload, and extremely relaxing. Sometimes taking a step back isn't all that bad to do. If I hadn't been recruited away, I'd likely still be there.

                            That's kinda what I did with my current job, went from an MSP, to Goodwill, to another MSP to help desk / internal IT for a single office. All involved IT help desk in some way except this job, where it's software support only. Been less stressed and given some room to move and do things but I miss having projects and different environments.

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