[sekilau]

I read an article on NZherald web page, talking about over qualified candidate on applying job. The article was written by a job agency business owner.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10578048


Consultants are very aware of this and so our recruitment process is even more thorough; if a client makes the decision to take on an over qualified candidate we will be the first to advise of the pitfalls.


If someone has nzqa level 9 or level 10, should such candidate hide or avoid to mention the nzqa result on cv & cover letter, if the job ads state degree is required or even hasn't clearly mentioned the education requirement (e.g. some BAS job ads)?

[JandM]

I think there are always going to be misgivings in an employer who takes on someone over-qualified for a position. For one thing, as that article says, he will wonder if the employee is going to leave abruptly (and leave him in the lurch) as soon as a higher-level position becomes available. For another, the employee who has knowledge and skills beyond what a job requires may try and advise or muscle in on their line-manager, or even the boss: even if he doesn't do this in so many words, those in authority over him may be made to feel uncomfortable by knowing that he could do their work, and think he's judging them in his head.

Hard to know what best to do about it, though.

[Duncan74]

Or they may just knuckle down, do a good job without needing a lot of support /training, be flexible in what they are prepared to do to help out and then give the same notice period as someone who is lesser skilled and job hopping their way to promotion. It's got to be about considering the risks, but good interviewing should let the company know if the candidate is just there as a stop gap to pay the bills, or is the sort of person that actually wants to work and doesn't mind 'getting their hands dirty' and actually doing some work when they've spent the last 5 years being a manager. Who knows, they may stay with the company and work their way up and bring new skills and views. My wife started as a temp copy typist and 11 years later was in a senior position and presenting reporting directly to the board of a FTSE 100 company emplying 3000 people. Just because they are overqualified doesn't mean everyone will be a bad choice, nor that anyone with the right qualifications will be better than an underqualified person.

[Duncan74]

Oh, the above could appear a bit ranty. Wasn't meant that way, please read as it's meant which is an alternative opinion.

[sekilau]

Oh... I thought it only happen in Chinese companies which boss will only feel comfortable(as he/she feel he/she has control) when staff works for him/her have equal or lower IQ, EQ, Skill, education level compared with boss.

If that is true, it could be headache for PR->WTR holder. Most of them have either high education level or highly experience on their expertise or even both.

I agree that personality and interview skill is critical factor for being recruit. Yet, if over qualify is really a matter, the applicant may not even be invited for interview as his/her application may has already been discarded at earlier stage.

:uhoh
I think there are always going to be misgivings in an employer who takes on someone over-qualified for a position. For one thing, as that article says, he will wonder if the employee is going to leave abruptly (and leave him in the lurch) as soon as a higher-level position becomes available. For another, the employee who has knowledge and skills beyond what a job requires may try and advise or muscle in on their line-manager, or even the boss: even if he doesn't do this in so many words, those in authority over him may be made to feel uncomfortable by knowing that he could do their work, and think he's judging them in his head.

Hard to know what best to do about it, though.

[JandM]

Yes, of course someone CAN be a good bet, Duncan, and it's great if you get the chance.

However, once when things were a bit tight, I attempted (in the UK) to get an unskilled job to tide me over, and never managed it. The points I made in my earlier post were the explanations given for not being willing to take me on. After I understood this, I tried not mentioning my qualifications up front, but if I got as far as talking to anybody, I came unstuck as soon as they asked, 'What have you been doing?' I suppose I could've lied, but I didn't. I did practically beg to be given a chance, but it didn't work.

Sekilau, I don't think this goes with nationality only. I believe it is a certain kind of human nature which can crop up anywhere.

[Mrs Pony]

OH tried to get a job with an AV company doing inventory... and they told him multiple times during the interview that he was over qualified... Even though OH told them that he wanted the job they didn't give it to him...

[BkyMonster]

Generally employers don't want to hire overqualified people because that means the person is probably looking for work they ARE appropriately qualified for, so why should the employer waste time on what is probably going to be a temporary employee? In addition an employer will worry that an overqualified employee will become bored.

[kejktfc]

Facing a similar situation over here (UK) for myself, and no doubt will do if/when I we get to NZ.

I have recently left a Senior Management position in professional sport (where I was also a Director), as well as being a 'retired' Royal Naval Officer. I also hold two degrees.

I want to work in the interim period before we come over (wife is a Peadiatric Nurse), as well as work in NZ. I have had my career (though still early 40's) and want something that has very little, or no stress....:uhoh


Feel not matter what, with my CV as well as any possible interviews, I will be looked upon as too over qualified, and in the position that has been muted in many previous posts, and will be overlooked.

Just as well I already have a pension to at least bring something in to the household...................................:laugh :laugh:laugh


kejktfc

[NikT]

We took a gamble at the company I worked for in the UK and hired an "over qualified" person.
Although I had my reservations, I was out voted.:mad:

Glad I was, because it was one of the best moves we ever made, and the company really benefitted.:nice1

So, companies shouldn't rule someone out just for being over qualified.
They could be losing a wealth of knowledge and experience.;)

Nick.:cheers

[Leo]

...companies shouldn't rule someone out just for being over qualified.
They could be losing a wealth of knowledge and experience.;)

Thank you Nik for sharing this gem of experience :nice1

There's certainly a lot more to a person, beyond qualifications and experience!