Over qualified - it does exist!

klimny

heretolearn wrote: »

'Overqualified' - yep it certainly exists. I wouldn't consider a degree as overqualified for any job, in itself, but it depends on other factors.

When we recruit we do usually discount the really 'overqualifieds' unless we can see there's a good reason they've applied, otherwise we know it's just an emergency stopgap and they'll !!!!!! off as soon as they get something more in their line. This may not be true, but we can't take the risk, sorry. Sometimes people explain why they are applying for this role (i.e. got kids at home want local part-time job so I'll do your admin for a few years even though I used to be a rocket scientist). We had a lady who was a doctor applying for our cleaners job the other day, poor lady, one of those East European nationals who are restricted in the type of work they can take (basically crap unskilled ones only). Fair enough.

But if you are applying for a job way below your league - in terms of qualifications and experience - any employer is going to wonder why. And how long you'll stay.

You really shouldn't discriminate against intelligent, qualified applicants just because you fear they might do the job a little too well and will want to hop off and find something else a few weeks later - I find this terrible, almost as bad as companies not employing young women for fear they might fall pregnant and go on maternity leave from the company (it does go on!)

lucylucky

amber1979 wrote: »

In other words, I really should just give up.... No

I'm (believe it or not!) quite a shy, geeky person in real life. I'm also terrible at feighing interest in subjects I don't care about. My hobbies are not your average ones as well. Lots of people have diverse hobbies

People do not like shy people, they think they're "stuck up". Not in my experience

Do your hobbies bring you into contact with other people? Can you build those relationships with a common interest?

Person_one

I do think it makes sense to try and get a rapport going with an interviewer. This might sound shallow but you can actually get an impression of someone in a pretty short time and adapt your interview style a bit to try and make the most positive impression. Its human nature that people feel more positive and generous towards people they warm to and think are likeable, so it does no harm to try and be as likeable as possible!

Any

amber1979 wrote: »

In other words, I really should just give up....

I'm (believe it or not!) quite a shy, geeky person in real life. I'm also terrible at feighing interest in subjects I don't care about. My hobbies are not your average ones as well.

People do not like shy people, they think they're "stuck up".

With this attitude you are not going to get anywhere.

If you are shy and you don't like interaction with people you just don't look for client facing role.

amber1979

Any wrote: »

With this attitude you are not going to get anywhere.

If you are shy and you don't like interaction with people you just don't look for client facing role.

I didn't say that I don't like interacting with people. These are the kind of assumptions that people make about those who aren't "bubbly".

Any

klimny wrote: »

You really shouldn't discriminate against intelligent, qualified applicants just because you fear they might do the job a little too well and will want to hop off and find something else a few weeks later - I find this terrible, almost as bad as companies not employing young women for fear they might fall pregnant and go on maternity leave from the company (it does go on!)

Once you have your own company I wonder whether you are going to change your view once you paid advertisement, agency fee, lost XY hourse to inverview people etc every second month...

Any

amber1979 wrote: »

I didn't say that I don't like interacting with people. These are the kind of assumptions that people make about those who aren't "bubbly".

That is fair enough. Doesn't change my opinion - with this attitude you don't find job, no.

Interviewing is an art, I don't deny it, but experience makes a master!! Look at it this way - the more interviews you go through and the more you master the style, when the real dream job comes you are ready to bag it.

amber1979

In other words, I'm screwed.

Googlewhacker

I'm intrigued, what are your hobbies then?

Any

amber1979 wrote: »

In other words, I'm screwed.

I am beginning to get the feeling that if I said "here you go, here is a job" you would say you are screwed...
You see just what you want to see.