A nation of highly educated workforce may be prone to unemployment issue...

hmm...does that mean that there are many unfilled positions in the labour market of America now? I thought that in the states, retrenchment is a common sight everywhere, the only difference is the scale of it. Maybe the newspaper reports are wrong then. What I think the employers meant by "over-qualified" is the fact that you have applied for a job that requires lessor of what you hold now and employers are not confident to offer you the pay that you may demand. It would be good if an employer can pay the same salary for a staff that is holding a degree rather than just a diploma. It is a bargain. However, the management is concerned that if when the staff is "too knowledgeable", will he start questioning the directions of his superiors. Imagine that a clerk is holding a Bachelor in Business Administration and his superior (manager) is holding a Diploma in Business Administration. When both parties have experience in this field. Do you think that the manager will be able to make his subordinate follow his instructions? I wonder if there would be a private in the army leading a company comprising of officers in the ranks. I believe that is what the HR would want to avoid. Questioning of instructions. In such a senario, it is also unlikely that the clerk will stay in his position for long. I am just assuming he wouldn't. Maybe I am wrong.

Well...maybe this factor justify the reason why Singaporeans are leaving the country. If we are all as capable, why should we compete with each other when there are many more opportunities in the foreign land. I am sure one may be greatly appreciated for his talents if he is willing to work abroad?

When an Associates Degree is required for a customer service position, to make eight bucks an hour, what is it worth? How much education do you seriously need to answer phones? Just imagine what you can make with a Bachelor's degree! I live in an area that is economically challenged to say the least. I have a friend that has two degrees and he has not been able to get a job of any kind. Unfortunately, a degree only has merit if it is in the career market of the day, which changes often. Would you say that someone with an Associates Degree is over-qualified for a customer service position at $8 an hour? I would.

Hi rosdimy, I do see your point and I have to agree that paper qualification due not justify one's action to be correct. I too had experience with promising students who fail to win a debate on issues that the know best in their discipline, they either question my position, qualifications or grades. When the time comes to prove them wrong, I can find them nowhere in sight. Certainly, when one have achieve higher acdemic performance or qualifications, some may be blinded by their achievements. I believe that people from all levels have their value and I stand a chance to learn things from them that are not taught in the classroom. I am from a poor family and my parents who are workers with only a secondary school education. My mother never even get to complete it. Even without much education, they still had knowledge that I have gained from them that have benefited me in my life. As I speak to different people from all walks of life, I get to see a picture formed through multiple perspectives and approaches they adopted. So I have always love to learn from people regardless of who they are and where they come from. In my resume and cover letters, I have emphasize the fact that I am willing to learn even if it is from the ground level. I am most willing to go for specific training if deemed necessary by the organization. I just hope that this will appeal to the companies that I have sent my resumes to. But I the fact that even if I am willing to, companies may still not accept me for my highest qualification. If I have to apply for a entry level job, I may have to hide the fact that I hold a degree and indicate "A" Levels as my highest qualification. At least the HR of my present company told me that they will not employ degree holders to fill the position of Administrative Officer which is the title I now hold. There is another area that I have observed that may have affected my chances of applying for a job to match my profile. I will be posting that in another discussion. You have critically assessed, evaluated and commented on my discussion. Thank you very much for sharing your views and I have indeed benefited a lot from your comments and feedback. I am looking forward to receive your comments in my future discussions and to learn from your experiences. Cheers and Happy MyLotting...

Yes...that is happening in my country as well. For as long as the reviewing committee finds that one is replaceable, overpaid and not contributing significantly to the company's developments. They are also likely to be retrenched by the organization. There are many replacements on the streets waiting to take over the job with a lower pay. With a surplus in substitute workers in the market, the employers will have the bargaining power when it comes to layoff and employment. Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting...