Told You're 'Overqualified' For The Job? Here's What They Really Mean

What about when your employer of 15 years says you're overqualified after you apply at another corporate opening in the same city? The place I've worked was sold to investors and has plans to change the business. I apply to the same corporation in the same town and they use the "overqualified" umbrella despite the fact I was the best worker they had - Twice Global Manager of the Year and several more such awards and recognition. It's not about pay - I was open to taking a 5% hit. It wasn't not getting along with the interviewers. It wasn't about age or being staid or stuck into an inflexible routine. So they hire, at the same pay and benefits, an UNDERQUALIFIED, new worker from my own office. I feel like I have a lawsuit.

I have never hear an interviewer call me "overqualified" during an interview, but the word comes up after they have selected someone else.

I am 23 and have a masters degree and a bachelors degree. I have non-paid experience in product development and business planning including in two portfolios. I have five years experience in retail, sales, customer service, and hospitality.

After resigning responsibly from my old position, I finished my masters degree and began volunteering. I started job hunting and did everything my college recruiters told me to. I read articles and made sure not to make any of the big mistakes job seekers make like being unrehearsed or unprepared. I even speak to recruiters and job agents at career fairs and they say that my clothes, demeanor, and resume are all acceptable. They seem pretty shocked when I explain that I don't know what I am doing wrong. So the question is what am I doing wrong?

Why am I unemployable?

Good point this goes even for those who are a young enough fit. Also brings to light what article said while I agree with thought process actually occurs its wrong in reference to you will just leave as soon as something better comes around. This could be the case of anyone. In regards to age I beleive perhaps younger workers have less to hold them back in job hopping. Home, mortgage spouse,children, etc.

Here's a possibility. Perhaps many hiring managers and company cultures are genuinely discriminatory and biased against older workers who tend to be overqualied. No matter if they fit in in every other way they can't changed their age. Ive heard and overheard it a lot from supposedly educated managers ablnd VPs. A sharp 50 SMART GOOD LOOKING WELL DRESSED YOUTHFUL looking guy great personality. A regional VP says god that guy is almost as old as my dad. Who wants to work with their parents. Can't HR send us some younger candidates. We all know it may be much easier to address what we ca ln change in ourselves yet it is the attitudes of those hiring that wont change that make the final decision. Thats why at 41 I realize I can be at the age of disvrimination in the near future. But I am tired that know articles never address this problem as the biggest culprit probably because no one has any real solutions but they seem to either barely acknowledge that it exists almost like the problem is you not them. So they go through all that, they are current in dress manner energy social tech savy, etc. Wont matter to those who discriminate and theirs a lot. We have the token old person either top dogs or low level employee working in a dark corner. Sickens me. Also overqualified candidates are sometimes wrongfully viewd as a threat to many insecure (and for a reason) managers who feel they will be undermined or called out for their ineptness to newly befriended upper management.

It actually means that your skills are greater than the position requires and you would likely be bored, unhappy, or likely to quickly find another role. Its a retention issue and nothing to do with your age or personality. I have almost a decade in Recruitment and now manage a Recruiting function for a large corporation.

This article is BS.

One of the comments had it right. 'Overqualified' is the word for 'we don't hire old people, ever.' I finished my college degree after 40, and was told I was overqualified. The ink wasn't dry on my diploma yet. I pointed out that that was ridiculous, I had no experience in the field. The braindead HR minion finally admitted I was too old, on camera. I have filed a complaint!!! We have laws against this sort of behavior, now when need to see that they are enforced. Especially since the Teatard congress is looking to raise the retirement age

I wouldn't tell someone they are overqualified unless they made a lot more in their previous job in addition to expressing too much interest in potential promotions, raises, and work that is outside of the job they are interviewing for. I will ask tough questions about their future career plans to pull out any traits that would be a distraction to the actual job they are interviewing for. As a candidate every answer should be focused on the job at hand not what you wish the job was or the job you really want. If you are overqualified, volunteer reasons why you will not just pick up and quit for the job you are qualified for.

"When people see this list, they often say, "J.T., what about the fact that the hiring manager probably realized I was more qualified than them and was scared that I'd take their job?" My answer is: It's not on the list because it's not usually what they are thinking. That's more of an excuse job seekers use to justify why they didn't get selected." I am so glad you admit this just YOUR answer. Because it really is so incorrect!

"Overqualified" is just a nice way to say, "we do not want to hire you". It is suppose to leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling as you walk out the door. Wow! I'm OVERqualified, that means there has to be an even BETTER job out there for me.....derrrrrrr...

I have received the "overqualified" response for the last 17 years. On a flight from Denver to Dallas, I sat next to a man who happened to be an HR manager. He saw me working on resumes/cover letters and asked if he could take a look. He liked the resumes (professionally prepared) and the cover letter I was using. We discussed my strategy and results. I was doing cold mailings and getting the aforementioned "overqualified" responses", albeit at about a 40% rate. He translated from HR-speak into plain English: you are over 40. They can't tell you that without violating the ADA. Also, you are retired military and your experience scares the bejesus out of them. You've had more responsibility than any of them except top management. They don't know what to do with someone like you, so they say you are overqualified. He recommended trying getting on with the federal government. That didn't work well either for the same reason. Had to complete another degree and win a Presidential Management Fellowship. Even then I lost out on a chance to work in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. During the 3-day interview process, one of the panel members remarked that I was the oldest person who ever applied for a position in the OSD's Office! Finally went to work at CBP.