I'm overqualified for a job???

[Derry]

Have any of you ever been told this? I am currently looking for work as I have no children and sit at home all day staring at the walls. I have worked here before I got too sick, but experienced problems when they found out I wasn't mormon. Yes, I appealed it, didn't get anywhere. My background is medical clerical or even medical administrative. But, work is scarse right now. I went to look for work washing dishes and was told that I am overqualified!!!!! Yikes, I'm not overqualified to wash the dishes at home!!! :eyebrow: There's no other work really available without a 62 mile commute...one way. Plus, that's where I ran into discrimination. The city we live in now isn't as bad because they accept outsiders better. This is the second time I have been told that I am overqualified. Is it just the economy right now? Is anyone else seeing this in your area? Just wanted a job to keep me occupied for a while.

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

:(

[MammaStar]

I've been told that a few times. Sometimes...when you have the skills you CAN be considered over-qualified for a job. Most recent time...was a few months back. I saw a SWEET job...working for a local record company...I was over qualified for the office postion they advertised. It stunk too, cause I really REALLY wanted that job.

[Mithrea]

Yep :p

This happened to me all the time. With a four year degree in Literature, there isn't much you can do in West Virginia. I've been told I'm overqualified for "other" jobs OFTEN. :(

[Derry]

Tonight after dinner I think I will inform my hubby that I am waaaay to skilled to wash the dishes!!!! Maybe the dog will do it :rotfl:

[MammaStar]

:lol: :lol:

[Valnorran]

As someone with a BA and living in the rural south, I've gotten this one more times than I can remember. I found it to be monumentally frustrating. Just how qualified do I have to be to mimic the mindless, repetitve tasks squirrels are capable of?

[callalily]

It's happened to me too. I've been told that what "overqualified" really means is: "If we hire you, you'll bail as soon as something better comes along; or you'll get bored in a week and be nothing but trouble." I'd love to know how those employers "know" what I "must" be thinking.

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Originally posted by Derry

Tonight after dinner I think I will inform my hubby that I am waaaay to skilled to wash the dishes!!!! Maybe the dog will do it :rotfl:

:lol:
:thumbsup:

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Originally posted by callalily

It's happened to me too. I've been told that what "overqualified" really means is: "If we hire you, you'll bail as soon as something better comes along; or you'll get bored in a week and be nothing but trouble." I'd love to know how those employers "know" what I "must" be thinking.

It really does suck when people make assumptions based on something they know nothing about; the complex mind of an individual.

[jelly.belly]

I'm sorry Derry, thats awful! :( Tho, Im sure your dog will appreciate! :)

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Originally posted by Valnorran

As someone with a BA and living in the rural south, I've gotten this one more times than I can remember. I found it to be monumentally frustrating. Just how qualified do I have to be to mimic the mindless, repetitve tasks squirrels are capable of?

Hey there buddy, squirrels are most likely more capable to do most tasks than you are. Can YOU latch onto someone's head and gnaw a hole in his skull? :p

[SerenityMoon]

it also has a lot to do with equal opportunity quotas. Businesses have to hire a certain amount of "ethnically" different people (aka: a certain amount of black people, white people, mexicans, etc, etc...), so for example: you're white, you stroll in with a bachelor's for a retail job, and they haven't hired any black peopl eyet (keep in mind, this is JUST AN EXAMPLE! i'm not out to offend anybody), and let's say they just interviewed a black woman with no degree...then they'll likely tell you you're overqualified, and hire her to fill their quota.
it may not be like that everywhere, but so far, i've seen it everywhere i have worked.

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Originally posted by SerenityMoon

it also has a lot to do with equal opportunity quotas. Businesses have to hire a certain amount of "ethnically" different people (aka: a certain amount of black people, white people, mexicans, etc, etc...), so for example: you're white, you stroll in with a bachelor's for a retail job, and they haven't hired any black peopl eyet (keep in mind, this is JUST AN EXAMPLE! i'm not out to offend anybody), and let's say they just interviewed a black woman with no degree...then they'll likely tell you you're overqualified, and hire her to fill their quota.
it may not be like that everywhere, but so far, i've seen it everywhere i have worked.

I've seen that happen with my parents. :(

[SerenityMoon]

i know, tis an awful thing. I don't agree with it..same with colleges..*tsk tsk*

[Rainx]

Sure I've been told I'm overqualified.

Funny how an education in computer programming leads to no job in programming because the IT market is so lame, and no job elsewhere because they just assume you're going to quit in a few months to get a job in IT. Isn't it ironic.

My pet peeve is checking out the job bank and finding a super job to apply for only to see "EI recipients only" - I bet 8 of the last 10 jobs I would've applied for were like that (EI is employment insurance here - it's what you can apply for and receive when you get laid off after working a certain number of hours, so you aren't left totally broke). As much as I appreciate that companies are trying to hire people who need jobs and simultaneously get them off government assistance, I need a job too!

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Derry

Have any of you ever been told this? I am currently looking for work as I have no children and sit at home all day staring at the walls. I have worked here before I got too sick, but experienced problems when they found out I wasn't mormon. Yes, I appealed it, didn't get anywhere. My background is medical clerical or even medical administrative. But, work is scarse right now. I went to look for work washing dishes and was told that I am overqualified!!!!! Yikes, I'm not overqualified to wash the dishes at home!!! :eyebrow: There's no other work really available without a 62 mile commute...one way. Plus, that's where I ran into discrimination. The city we live in now isn't as bad because they accept outsiders better. This is the second time I have been told that I am overqualified. Is it just the economy right now? Is anyone else seeing this in your area? Just wanted a job to keep me occupied for a while.

Yes. I discussed this very thing during a job interview I went to yesterday, and the interviewer said that we may have a new term soon: "Education discrimination."

I've applied for several jobs that I was definitely qualified for, and when I got the rejection call they said that they'd found someone with "more suitable qualifications." I have impeccable references and a Master's Degree along with over ten years' experience in my field. I honestly think that they found someone with less education and experience to whom they could fairly pay a smaller salary.

[Ravens_Tears]

It has always been my understanding that it is illegal to OVERstate or falsify credentials/experience you do NOT have, however, I don't believe there is any legal obligation to list your entire repetoire of education and credentials for every job you apply for. Write the resume to suit the job you're applying for. Only provide credentials that are applicable to the position you are applying for. :)

[Valnorran]

Originally posted by PaganInkubus

Hey there buddy, squirrels are most likely more capable to do most tasks than you are. Can YOU latch onto someone's head and gnaw a hole in his skull? :p

Well, if you catch me in the right mood...

[Derry]

Might have a possible job interview next week. Let's just hope it isn't like the last 11 interviews where they ask about my "ward house"...aka...mormon church. Everytime I tell them I'm not assigned to one...well, you know how it goes. Yep, it's illegal...but they find the darndest ways around it. This job is at a medical clinic and I certainly wouldn't be overqualified on this one. Keeping my fingers crossed....but not getting my hopes up.

[Starpixie]

I have been told that too. But for a crap job as a retail associate. Since I have management experience, they wouldn't hire me just as a sales associate. I know how you feel about wanting a job. I can't wait til we get to our next duty station.

[Amethyst Rose]

Originally posted by Ravens_Tears

Write the resume to suit the job you're applying for. Only provide credentials that are applicable to the position you are applying for. :)

This is what I do when I'm looking for a job. I've done so many different things, and have such wide ranging skills that I only list the skills that are relavent for the position, mostly so they don't get lost in my resume.

Also, my husband just got a job and one of the reasons he got it (I think), was because he's the only person they could find with his qualifications/experience who was willing to be paid so little. So I think it works both ways.... it's all about the money, really.

[gyroWang]

My dad used to get that excuse a lot (i rarely even got a reply) but i think it they didnt want to employ him for other reasons which would be illegle to admit to. Anyway, i know it's not such an attractive option, but voluntary work might be usefull and would at least get you out the house.

[Flar's Freyja]

I had an interesting experience when I went to an open interview this week. I was applying for a job that I may have been overqualified for - but it's the type of job I'm looking for.

The interviewers were reading my resume and their mouths dropped open regarding my Master's. As it turns out, there is another position that they wanted me to apply for :) that wasn't posted in the ad I responded to.

I am looking for part-time work to supplement the inadequate income from my freelance practice, and I am totally willing to take something that might be below my qualifications. I charge a hefty fee for my freelance services but there isn't enough work. I kept trying to explain this to them and they were very pushy about the other position! One of them finally assured me that if I don't get the bigger job, she'll consider me for the smaller one!