Rant: Why is being 'overqualified' such a problem?

Reverbe

The assumption is that you will find a better job and leave or get bored and leave. I also agree with the person who says the boss may feel threatened. I had a job as a legal sec once and was better at the job than the solicitor(It turned out she wasnt a qualified one - she just took on cases of RTA's from around the country in the post and assessed them)I think she felt threatened cos I had ideas and thought of ways to make the office run better - eg compiling a list of frequently used fax numbers and leaving them by the fax and a copy of all of us to save the ages we spent faffing about trying to look for fax numbers in the case files EVERY time we had to send a fax.She tore them up. After that til I left I did nothing aside from the basic despite being helpful being an integral part of my nature.

I have also been told by my last company who were making me redundant that I would get bored( ermm NO) and that is why they wouldnt have a hardworking reliable local person doing their data entry and took on a school leaver who left in a couple of weeks cos they couldnt handle getting up and also actually doing some hard work.

I know you are proud of your PHD and I am of my high level qualifications and no doubt worked very hard for them as I did but I would sadly suggest leaving it off. I find a degree is enough of a hamper in this area sorry to say even tho in my day it actually indicated a level of intelligence and hard work as oppsoed to today when they seem to give them in Beckham studies to ppl who just show up..

Best of luck. To me one of my biggest bugbears is ppl that asume things especially in this area.

voiceofreason

Christ on a bike - I really do wonder why the OP took the time and incurred the keyboard wear to write (all italics mine, for emphasis):

jojo2004 wrote: »

I've been applying for temporary jobs for months now,

or:

jojo2004 wrote: »

I need a temporary role as I am hoping to start a permanent job in October, but need to work in the interim.

or:

jojo2004 wrote: »

I'm applying for temp jobs because I'm aware it would be unfair to apply for permanent posts and then leave in a few months.

OP is clearly only looking for work for the next seven or eight months; what's to get bored of? Where're they going to go if they did get bored and leave?

Please read the original post before spouting irrelevant sh*te - else you look ignorant and stupid.

FWIW though, OP, the problem may well be the very agencies you're using. It's a vicious circle - you need a temp job so you go to a temp agency, but the "advisors" at the temp agency are muppets and can't help you out.

I really do sympathise with you - it's a terrible thing, trying to get work with agencies; even leaving the current job market out of the equation, one often feels that there's not much profit from the bubble-headed oxygen-thieves who largely staff these companies. A shame, that.

I hope you find something soon - and something commensurate with your skills and qualifications too!

bap98189

Are you sure it is down to your being overqualified? I don't know what sort of experience you have but I think this may be the reason you are being overlooked.

When employing a temp, I want someone who can come in and pick up the job with the minimum of effort. Someone who I won't have to train for days before they can pick up the job. I'm not saying you couldn't but I would go for someone who had been doing something similar for 5 years every time over someone with qualifications about whom I would be less certain.

biscit

voiceofreason wrote: »

Please read the original post before spouting irrelevant sh*te - else you look ignorant and stupid.

It possibly isn't irrelevant sh*te on the part of the posters. It is plausible that these things are going through the heads of the agencies- that they are worried that the OP may not even last until October before getting bored.

*Chattie*

Reverbe wrote: »

The assumption is that you will find a better job and leave or get bored and leave. I also agree with the person who says the boss may feel threatened. I had a job as a legal sec once and was better at the job than the solicitor(It turned out she wasnt a qualified one - she just took on cases of RTA's from around the country in the post and assessed them)I think she felt threatened cos I had ideas and thought of ways to make the office run better - eg compiling a list of frequently used fax numbers and leaving them by the fax and a copy of all of us to save the ages we spent faffing about trying to look for fax numbers in the case files EVERY time we had to send a fax.She tore them up. After that til I left I did nothing aside from the basic despite being helpful being an integral part of my nature.

I have also been told by my last company who were making me redundant that I would get bored( ermm NO) and that is why they wouldnt have a hardworking reliable local person doing their data entry and took on a school leaver who left in a couple of weeks cos they couldnt handle getting up and also actually doing some hard work.

I know you are proud of your PHD and I am of my high level qualifications and no doubt worked very hard for them as I did but I would sadly suggest leaving it off. I find a degree is enough of a hamper in this area sorry to say even tho in my day it actually indicated a level of intelligence and hard work as oppsoed to today when they seem to give them in Beckham studies to ppl who just show up..

Best of luck. To me one of my biggest bugbears is ppl that asume things especially in this area.

I'm guessing that it is your own attitude that has meant you haven't had a job in over a year. Perhaps you shouldn't assume things yourself.

laura_random

I've been in the position of hiring a temp myself and I'm afraid I was put off by people who were over-qualified. The job we were hiring for was for someone to do basic admin, photocopying etc and I did feel that some of the applicants felt that it was below them, and I felt they'd quickly get bored. The thing is that some tasks like admin can be fiddly and boring to some people, but it has to be done properly or it causes major problems, and somone who is bored is more likely to make mistakes.

Also, even though we were looking for a temp there was the possibilty that the person would be made permanent if they were right for the job. The person I chose was right, even though she had the least qualifications, and she is still there now.

I totally understand that it's frustrating though. I'd say that, if you get to interview stress that you understand the importance of the job you'll be doing and you'll make sure it's done right, make them see that you're not just looking for any old temp job to fill the time.

timberflake

!!!!!! wrote: »

I once had a reply from an agency along the following lines after failing a job app.
' The manager (of the company requiring staff) believes that since your qualifications are higher than his and more relevant that you would endanger his position'

This is the REAL reason for saying people are overqualified!

Mr_Lahey

Aim higher.

The company i work for has a minimum 2:1 in applicable degrees from a good university.
I joined a few years back (with a first) and it transpired that of the 4 applicants offered a training contract all had firsts.

My point being that you may be over qualified for many jobs, but there are many many more that you will be suitably qualified for. My suggestion is that you look to gain employment at a higher level.
I know for example temporary work is often available for a multitude of reasons in high end jobs. Pregnancy, increased workload, long term sickness etc etc... If you are struggling to find any jobs suitable then it may be worth joining an agency who will fit your skills with a vacancy.

heatheryone_2

bap98189 wrote: »

Are you sure it is down to your being overqualified? I don't know what sort of experience you have but I think this may be the reason you are being overlooked.

When employing a temp, I want someone who can come in and pick up the job with the minimum of effort. Someone who I won't have to train for days before they can pick up the job. I'm not saying you couldn't but I would go for someone who had been doing something similar for 5 years every time over someone with qualifications about whom I would be less certain.

This is a very valid point, but if somebody's bright enough to have a PhD then they're probably bright enough to pick up the job very quickly. I have a good degree from a prestigious university, and plenty of IT/typing/organising experience from various extra-curricular activities and work experience placements - but because I'd never been employed as a temp before, I had to visit 10 agencies before I could find one that would take me on! On my first day temping, I was sent to a badly-organised office and given maddeningly vague instructions on how to work the phone and computer. And yet, within about 20 minutes, I'd mastered the phones and had worked out how to complete all my allocated duties. And somebody who is intelligent enough to have acquired a good degree (or indeed a PhD) is probably going to be able to apply that intelligence to the job and add value to your workplace in other ways.

WhiteHorse

I've been told that I'm 'overqualified'. Looking at the interviewer, it was obvious what the problem was: either they felt threatened, or they had a chip on their shoulder and were envious.