Over-Qualified- How common is it to be rejected?

SmallL

Hello,
I have recently left university and began my job-seeking.
I have applied for jobs (scientific) that are only *desiring* GCSE's, what's the likelihood of being turned down due to being over-qualified?
I went to a NHS interview today that required no qualifications and i FELT overqualified, completed the test really easily, could give examples for all interview questions etc.
I'm just worried that my qualifications will work against me, i did make it clear that im really interested in the career progression within the NHS and it was a great opportunity to 'open doors' for me.

AP007

My experience works against me but I have never deemed myself over qualified more like really qualified to do the job its the employers who have the problem so wont interview me due to the fact they know I will leave when a better offer comes along. Or they big up the job advert to make it sound senior when they are really looking for someone with 3 years exp max!!

StumpyPumpy

SmallL wrote: »

i did make it clear that im really interested in the career progression within the NHS and it was a great opportunity to 'open doors' for me.

It depends on the job, but these sorts of statements in an interview could also count against you. It might be interpreted by the interviewer as saying "I'm not interested in the job I'm applying for but will take it if offered but will be looking to move to a better job as soon as I can." Most interviewers for "entry level" jobs - outside of graduate recruitment drives - are looking for people to fill a specific role for a reasonable length of time, not a future CEO.

SP

paddyrg

Some jobs want people who'll be happy to do them day in day out for years without getting bored and stroppy and looking to progress/change.

ERICS_MUM

Personally I'd "forget" to tell them my qualifications if I thought they weren't required for the job, i.e. if they over-qualified me. Obviously applies to jobs which you don't see as a foothold on your career ladder though.

Good luck

kitrat

SmallL wrote: »

Hello,
I have recently left university and began my job-seeking.
I have applied for jobs (scientific) that are only *desiring* GCSE's, what's the likelihood of being turned down due to being over-qualified?
I went to a NHS interview today that required no qualifications and i FELT overqualified, completed the test really easily, could give examples for all interview questions etc.
I'm just worried that my qualifications will work against me, i did make it clear that im really interested in the career progression within the NHS and it was a great opportunity to 'open doors' for me.

I believe they're not allowed (or supposed to?) turn you down because you're overqualified. Doesn't mean they won't make up some other reason why not to employ you. Sorry bit of a non-answer! Good luck though!!!

AP007

kitrat wrote: »

I believe they're not allowed (or supposed to?) turn you down because you're overqualified. Doesn't mean they won't make up some other reason why not to employ you. Sorry bit of a non-answer! Good luck though!!!

You can get turned down for any reason that's not a protected one including over qualified or out of work etc

kitrat

AP007 wrote: »

You can get turned down for any reason that's not a protected one including over qualified or out of work etc

Ah so they're certainly allowed to! I was just thinking back to an employment policy (I'm in NHS) that I read which implied they weren't supposed to. But that was just a local policy and as you say it's obviously not illegal or anything.

It will probably just boil down to how reasonable the interviewers are.

Coraline

I'm in the NHS as well and involved in recruiting amongst other things at the moment.

When we receive applications through NHS Jobs (which we're required to advertise through first by policy) we get CVs stripped of age, sex, name, etc., and shortlist for interviews based on the criteria on the CVs alone.

Of course the age is apparent given by the dates the applicant has given to when they graduated university/work experience, but the HR manager and a deputy have discretion on which "unknown" candidates to select for the interview date.

In our office, we would welcome someone who's over-qualified--we need staff! I can only speak for what we've been going through but we need people who want to work for us and have experience.

More experience than required for the jobs we're recruiting for trumps no/less experience for the positions we're recruiting for.