Manager

Comment from gas monitors
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

I am having the same problem. I have had 2 interviews for jobs lately that I was definitely overqualified for. One of them went to someone with family in the company and the other one I have not yet heard from. The funny thing is, when I went into the interview, they started telling me all these other tasks that they want the person to do. NONE of this was in the ad. They referred to my degree a bit. It is laughable what it is paying and what they require-it appears to be pretty stressful. So, either I won’t get a call or I will and I will have to take it, as I cannot find anything here. They got over 100 resumes for this job.
I am not sure what we are supposed to do, other than “watering down” our resumes, which I have been advised to do and not to do by various people. If I take off the college and the 2 jobs I had that were really intense, my resume will be a mess.
I am sending resumes everywhere. If they look like they want more experience than I have, I try to match my skills to the job.
Good luck. I wish I had more suggestions for you, other than flooding employers with your resume.

Comment from RickRand
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

I would guess it is legal to turn you down because of over-qualification. From their viewpoint, it would appear quite likely that you will go and get a better job quite soon with your qualifications/experience, and they’ll have to recruit again.
You can always understate your previous jobs on your CV when applying for unskilled jobs.
But really, at least in the longer term, go for a job that matches your skills.

Comment from M O
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

Unfortunatley, job experience is not covered under any discrimination laws.
Nobody wants someone overqualified for several reasons.
1. They will always move on at the next best thing
2. They have other options available
3. They are more demanding of raises and employer concessions

Comment from tl
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

Legal? Yes Fair? No. While I agree with other answerers who said they might think you’d quit right away there could also be an issue of they want someone who is willing to work crappy hours. That would generally mean like high school kids. You’d be surprised. A lot of places would rather hire immature high school and college kids than mature adults.

Comment from mary p
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

It is not illegal….not right either…BUT…there are SO many people out there that are ONLY qualified to stock shelves….
Change your porfolio….say that you have been working for yourself..went down….something like that…
Illegal aliens are putting a BIG damper on the kind of jobs we are looking for, just to make up the differrence in monies that we Americans need now… SAD!! Good luck…

Comment from Smartphone Software
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

some companies dont like having people in lesser posts if they have had management experience. can cause problems amongst the ranks. most supermarkets sadly its more a case of who you know rather than what you know.. if you can understand where im coming from.

Comment from Heather
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

It’s most definitely legal to reject an applicant for being overqualified. Most people that take lower level jobs than what they are qualified for don’t last long because they get bored and want more pay.

Comment from Judy
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

It’s definitely legal. A potential employer can turn someone down for a job for any reason that isn’t legally protected, like race, gender….

Comment from lbaker26
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

Its possible that employers would think that you wouldn’t be happy stacking shelves and will move on asap. So yes they could turn you down for being over qualified.

Comment from mr know it all
Time February 8, 2010 at 11:29 am

you are over qualified they know you will be leaving soon so they don’t want to bother training you in