7/6/2010 1:34:07 PM
Sorry, you're over qualified
By John Dunaway
“Over-qualified”…that’s something I haven’t been called in a
long while!
But this double-edged compliment is alive and kicking. With job
bandings a commonplace (and very useful) recruitment practice, and
gut-feel assumptions playing a larger part in the recruitment
process (for some) than they would care to admit, it’s a hindrance
that is costing some candidates dearly.
So what does it really mean? It’s all about being above the
benchmark, so much so that your potential contribution would be too
advanced for what is needed, or that you would get bored doing a
job below your level (which is generally assumed to be a stop gap
until you get something more advanced), or indeed are too developed
for an employer to mould you.
Doubtless, occasionally some of these assumptions are
vindicated. But equally, “over-qualified” candidates often exceed
expectations, perform to higher standards, are more productive and
progress quickly.
Overall, employers would be wise to resist making assumptions
about over-decorated applicants, because so long as their
motivations are clear, they could be star, a real catch.