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    Sorry, but You're Overqualified?

    IT Careers
    talent acquisit best practices hiring
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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.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • 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.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • 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.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • 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.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • 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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