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

spike7451

When I was made redundent from the RAF in the mid 90's under Options,I was travelling home to NI & the was a job advertised in Streanrar at West Freau airfield for a Weapons Storeman.I applied as I was a Weapons Tech in the RAF however I was told my application could'nt go thru because if I got the job,they'd have to pay me a Fitters wage which was higher than the storemans.

Kilty_2

laura_random wrote: »

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. .

I worked as a temp doing admin/data entry work for more than six months and the amount of people that came and went because of those reasons was unbelievable (there was between 1 and 6 of us working on the same project for the entire time - I was the only one that stuck it out for longer than about 2 months)

So I can certainly understand this point of view.

jojo2004

Alcmene wrote: »

What is your area? I am assuming you are waiting till an academic job in October? You should try local universities/colleges then and do some hourly paid lecturing. There's always work available if you have the right contacts, to cover for researchers, maternity/paternity leave, illness and sabbaticals.

My area is Egyptology, so there isn't much call for cover/supply lecturing - the jobs in the field are hard enough to get! I've applied for supply teaching/teaching assistant work, but have been turned down for the first because I don't have a PGCE. I thought you could work as a teacher in schools under APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning, for which my 5 years of being a University Teacher would surely count?), but no luck. Thanks for the suggestion though. :A

jojo2004

DCFC79 wrote: »

If your overqualified the employer doesn't want to spend time getting you trained to do a job to find you leave after say 4 months as you have had a better offer(something more in line that you enjoy doing) and jump ship so to speak but thats not saying that you would.

Good luck in fidning something, are you just looking in the area that your phd refers to or are you covering a wide area

That's why I'm looking for temping work!

I'm looking in any area that's appropriate - I have experience in admin, retail and hospitality.

jojo2004

HappyMJ wrote: »

100% agree that's why I have 3 versions of my CV to send depending on the job in question.

Only 3? I have updated my cv for EVERY job, highlighting relevant skills/experience/qualifications!

jojo2004

woody01 wrote: »

Have they said you are over qualified or are you assuming this?
It may just be you are not as employable as you think,

I've had that reason given in feedback from the interviews I've been called for. I don't think I am unemployable - I have experience in all the jobs I'm going for!

jojo2004

voiceofreason wrote: »

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!

Thanks Voiceof Reason - I hope so too! Nice of you to actually read my post too...

jojo2004

laura_random wrote: »

. 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.

The problem is, I am looking for 'any old temp job to fill the time'! Jobs in my field are hard to come by, and I need to fill time until I can get my greedy paws on one of them! I don't want a 'temp to perm' position.

Oh, and I know that fiddly tasks can be boring. I spent six weeks editing my thesis. Dull isn't even the word. I didn't make mistakes, because I know it's important to do things properly even if they aren't that scintillating. Assuming that someone will make mistakes without giving them a chance is as bad as assuming that a person cannot do a job because of their age/religion/sex/race.

Techno

jojo2004 wrote: »

Only 3? I have updated my cv for EVERY job, highlighting relevant skills/experience/qualifications!

I agree with laura random here - I'm not suggesting you don't do this OP but if you don't it might really help. When I am trawling through job applications it makes my life so much easier if the person has highlighted their experience/ relevent qualifications against each of the criteria on the job description rather than sending in a generic one that covers everything they have ever done - if you don't tell us you can do what we ask for then we have to assume you can't (whatever qualifications you have got). Project work may be the way to go as many projects are fairly short term and need people who can be flexible.

heatheryone_2

Techno wrote: »

I agree with jojo here - I'm not suggesting you don't do this OP but if you don't it might really help. When I am trawling through job applications it makes my life so much easier if the person has highlighted their experience/ relevent qualifications against each of the criteria on the job description rather than sending in a generic one that covers everything they have ever done - if you don't tell us you can do what we ask for then we have to assume you can't (whatever qualifications you have got). Project work may be the way to go as many projects are fairly short term and need people who can be flexible.

Erm, jojo is the OP...