Over qualified for a position...
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
Philippines
January 6, 2012 9:34am CST
I tried applying for a teaching job in reading. It was just a part-time position. When they saw my resume, they told me that I am over qualified for the position. I told them that I do have some consultancy job but that I would love to teach part-time for children and adult learners who found difficulty reading. Still, they think I am not fit for the job.
With my motive to help, I don't believe I am over-qualified for the position. How about you? Do you think that I would not fit the said post knowing that I was previously a department manager? Will you hire me or not? Why?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
6 Jan 12
When employers say "over-qualified" they usually mean "we think you'll leave" and they don't want to invest the time and energy in developing you as an employee. I've run into the same thing SO many times.
My response is always "So take advantage of me, then. I don't mind."
@nohbdy (4)
• United States
6 Jan 12
The problem with that is, employers don't like to have a high turn-around rate in their business. That means they have to spend more money training people for a job they had filled not long ago. It messes with their ability to do business smoothly. The same thing goes for education. You don't want the teachers coming and going more so than the students.
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
6 Jan 12
I maintain that I'm just as likely to stay in a job I'm obviously overqualified for yet am still chasing than someone with fewer qualifications who applies just because it's work. In the time I'm there - be it 18 months or 18 years - they benefit from a LOT more experience and passion. Plus it takes less effort to train someone who's overqualified: they're generally a lot quicker on the uptake or can convert existing experience to new processes easily.
When I was pretty desperate a couple of years ago, I stacked shelves in Waitrose. I didn't last long because my back gave out but I can assure you it took them almost no time to train me. And when I left, they were stunned that I gave notice (despite the back problems): the vast majority of people just stop turning up. 
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
7 Jan 12
That's their fear, as an employer. Personally, I think it's outdated: in the modern job market, people move on all the time. I've rarely worked with anyone who's been with the same employer for more than a couple of years.
The exception to the rule is ALWAYS people who are working in jobs they're passionate about - and those people are almost always overqualified (even if they weren't when they started).
@jobfindonline (1744)
•
7 Jan 12
I won't hire you if I were the interviewer coz whatever positions that you are applying for reflects your confidence to your capablities.. I'm not saying that you are not confident but you must understand that in general, recruiters think that way.They want to see progress in your career when they read your resume. So if you are a department manager before they would rather hire a person who is applying for a position higher than manager or the equivalent of it. They measure your capabilities and competencies based on that factor.
For me I'm not so particular with the position, what is important for me is the type of work and the level of responsibilities that I am doing.. but since my work experiences were on top positions, I don't prefer to apply to a job lower than my previous work coz that would let them think that I am not confident enough with my capabilities.
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
9 Jan 12
I think you are that type who is position conscious. I have been to that level before but now, I am more experienced and understood that the position does not really counts anymore for personal growth.
I would really like to change career and I have been working for 16 years in a job that is not really in line with my interest and passion. Being a manager means you just have to implement what the management would approve. And working in a corporate setting would really tie you to that specific job. That has happened to me and it is happening to you.
Now that I have earned enough and would wish to change career from corporate to academic where I feel I would be able to achieve the purpose or goal of my life, I gained a courage to take that leap. Yes, they may see that I am stepping down from my high position. But when you are already up there, the next step would be to go down. And going down the grass roots would mean being with the people who really needs help. That is one problem of people who are UP there. They fail to see what the people really needs and so they mismanaged their employees.
I hope you are not that type. I have been past being self-centered. I want to give back and that's my goal.
Thanks for your comment. You are entitled to your opinion.
@lexx87 (1707)
• Mexico
6 Jan 12
Some countries are happening that a lot , over qualified or it is the way to tell u , No, thank you, you need another job. But i dont understan too much , i wish too. Maybe you are over qualified, you should check it or look for other job. Dont worry and keep working hard like always because, thats the point. The human change .
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
9 Jan 12
Thanks lexx87.
I believe that is their way of telling you that they cannot afford you. 
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
9 Jan 12
No, I am not really good. I just like to do things that I am passionate about. I just want a job that really has some value. 
@Elgina07 (2)
•
7 Jan 12
Being an interviewee you have every right to know the qualification criterion of the job you are applying for.
There is nothing wrong in asking the interview panel about the criterion as a counter question. You could have done exactly the same in the situation. And on a final note, don't loose hope as there is always some blessing in disguise. All the best for your next opportunity. :)
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
9 Jan 12
I would do that the next time I went through an interview.
Thanks. 
