Reasons Why Employers May Not Hire Overqualified Candidates

Thanks for the comments. @Greg have you by any chance checked out AARP for jobs? They usually have some pretty good ones and they already know that you are going to be at least 50 when you apply for the position. There are a lot of positions out there for the older, more mature worker who does not want to just "retire" and do nothing. Many of us want to work until we can't work any longer. Yes you do need to keep on trying. Try for some legit work from home positions, too or even think about starting up your own consulting firm if that's a possibility for you. @Jacqueline totally agree. I have seen it happen time and time again where you bring someone in only to find out that they really don't want to work that particular job but they only took it until the real thing comes along. Too bad that there is really no way to know if they will stay or not. I am guessing that with intense on the job training, you would be able to weed out the good from the bad and cut your losses pretty quickly. Someone who is marking time more than likely is not going to make it through the training because - well they really don't care about the job.

All good and well, and not wanting to sound negative, my experience thus far has shown me that most organizations do not care to hire older workers. Of course H.R. won't say that, but truth be told (my reality), organizations prefer younger, less costly inexperienced people, who are perceived to be healthy - after all, older folks are prone to be ill more often, so a risk to hire, right? Sorry no, I do not believe that great qualifications, career experience, shortened decent genuine resumes/cover letters, great references, changing appearance, positive attitude, desire to take on a less-stressful position, a smaller salary, willingness to "sign longevity agreements", having a great interview, reasonably good health, or ability to move to the "moon" for a job are enough for an older person. I spend my time responding to job after job and am feeling like an old worn out shoe - unwanted BECAUSE of my age and experience. Of course I keep on trying because I want to work and earn a living, and yes, I do want to wind down in the next few years. Sadly, I often say to myself why bother, no one wants me. But I'll keep on trying. What else can I do?

When I was a restaurant manager, I was very reluctant to hire employees if I felt that they were just biding time until something better opened up. Many of the positions I filled, required intense on-the-job training. I didn't want to spend hours training someone and then just have them leave. If an employee could give me an honest reason for wanting the position in spite of a degree in a different field or a long job history with managerial experience, I would have been more likely to look past their over qualifications.

Thanks for the comments. @Erica I wouldn't dumb down my resume too much. You can make your case for "why" when you write up your cover letter. Maybe you can mention that the flexible schedule and proximity to your home are the driving factors behind applying for a position wherein you know that you are overqualified and so will they. @Erin you can do as Erica mentioned - that you are willing to sign the contract for one year for the position because it offers the flexible schedule that you need or the location is right on the busline, etc. Make your pitch about more than money and you just might be able to get that job that comes with less stress if that's the case. Maybe you are sort of winding down your work career and you just want to coast in an easier position. Regardless of the reason, make it sound enticing for the hiring manager!

How do you offer to sign a one-year contract or insist that you want the job other than for money without sounding desperate? I feel as though it pushes your luck to jump out ahead of these things and look insecure.

Thanks for writing this article. When applying for a position in which you're overqualified, should you tailor your resume to reflect the job requirements, but leave out specific experiences, responsibilities or positions that would lead a recruiter to believe you're overqualified? If you know you're overqualified for a job, but are considering the position for other reasons such as a flexible schedule, location or fewer responsibilities, I don't see anything wrong with demonstrating that you're capable of performing the job while leaving out certain components that would make you seem overqualified.

Thanks for the comments. @Kellen I would suggest that you use caution when it comes to signing a contract for a job in which you are overqualified. You may be thinking now - I need a job and I am willing to do anything including a cut in my current pay and signing an agreement that I will stay with the company. Then, you get to the job and it's not what they said it would be! Do you have an out? @Jay totally agree. The goal of working is to continue moving up the ladder of success. Taking a job for which you are overqualified is not always the best answer - even if you are desperate.

The point about employer "boredom" at the beginning of this article is spot on. As well as being accurate, it does raise an important point: if an employer won't hire you because they're worried about you getting bored and quitting, it probably means that there isn't much potential for promotion at that company. That then raises a question — do you want to work for a company in which the prospect of promotion is diminished?

I don't think telling the hiring manager that you're not "in it for the money" is a good idea. I think that invites them to cut your initial salary. Why not? It's not about the money, right? Rather, I would suggest emphasizing the other points listed above. Tell them you want a change of pace. Sign a contract if you think that will be helpful. But don't sell yourself short.

Thanks for those comments. It's great for us to see what the hiring manager thinks and looks for. As @Abbey indicated - explain why you are seeking such a position. Are you just looking to mark time until something better comes along or are you really committed to standing for the long term. @Emma thanks for letting us see this issue from both sides of the table.

I once had a potential employer who received my resume and thought I was overqualified (which I was) call me to make sure I knew the nature of the job and to ask about my reasons for applying. She ended up hiring me, and I stayed for four years because the part-time, stress-free nature of the job suited my needs at the time. On the other side of the interview table, I've hesitated at times when considering a seemingly overqualified applicant. Eventually I learned that any hire brings risks, and any new employee could leave for another job at any time anyway.

My biggest concern when looking through applicants and finding someone who is seemingly overqualified for the position is that they won't stay long. I understand that many people simply choose to change careers, and as stated in another comment, let go of some of the stress their current career brings. However, it has been in my experience that many people who are overqualified are just looking for a temporary job until they find something that suits them better. If I come across someone who is overqualified, I expect them to fully explain why they are "downgrading" their career so that I am more comfortable in hiring them.

Thanks for your comments. @Mary certainly it is okay to change careers and you can tell the interviewer why you are the best candidate even if you are overqualified. Truly, if any of you have attempted to work in a position for which you were overqualified, you would understand. Boredom and lack of self-worth would be on the top of my list. Sure, it sounds great to have a job with less stress and fewer challenges until you are actually working the job. Sure @Jacob you might be able to bring a wealth of skills and knowledge into the company but would you ever be able to use them? Don't think that you are going to come into a company into a position for which you are imminently overqualified and be able to use those skills because it's not going to happen. Has anyone actually taken a position for which they were overqualified? If so, let us know about it and how it worked out for you.

This article makes some interesting points about what would cause an HR manager to back away from an overqualified candidate. I would think that fear of boredom or a temporary need would be overcome by the company finding a way to engage and retain a highly qualified candidate willing to come work at a job to which they would bring such a wealth of knowledge and experience.

I think the assumption that a candidate would be bored could be easily overcome by showing eagerness toward new challenges and opportunities within the cover letter and at the interview. If you show that you are excited by the idea of contributing to the company, then employers may be less likely to make this assumption.

Maybe a person is not happy in the current position and would like to work in a different field. Why look at it negatively? Some of us are at a point in our lives where we do not want the stress.

I agree that some employers are leery of hiring someone who is a cut above everyone else. I would be afraid of boredom if I went to a lower-level position compared to what I was used to at a previous company. I think the keys to the over-qualification issue are plain as day in the article. The candidate should be honest and up front with the employer from the start. Getting something in writing also helps reassure the company even more.

@Erin thanks for your comment. If I had the answer to your questions, I would be rich right now! All a mature job seeker can do is try to make themselves appear as young as possible on their resume. Cut it down to the past 10 years if you can. Check your appearance. Maybe some changes to make yourself appear younger when you go for the interview? Just suggestions here. If you are overqualified, explain that you understand that you are but that you are still interested in pursuing the position. On the news last night there was a segment that discussed exactly this and one of the things that the mature job seeker is doing is offering to sign a document stating that they will remain with the company for a specified number of years. Would something like this hold up in an arbitration? Not sure but in time we will find out. I think it's an interesting way to offer yourself up for the position and I can't wait to see if it works for anyone!

This is a great article and I have to wonder about age bias? The author touched on this from the direction of the manager feeling insecure or inferior, but how does an overqualified applicant overcome age bias? Obviously, most companies take steps to avoid bias and discrimination all around, but I have seen older applicants who are overqualified overlooked simply because of their age. What is an older applicant to do?