Over-Qualified...

Squirm

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering how many people seriously think that being over-qualified would deter a potential employer from considering you as a viable candidate for a vacant position??

Naturally, my CV gives as much detail as possible regarding work experience, training, qualifications, volunteer work etc, HOWEVER, I have had a couple of people (friends & family, NOT perspective employers) point out that because I am applying for jobs that I am technically over-qualified for, I should prepare a second CV that gives less information about my work experience etc. so as not to put these employers off.

I would think that an employer would be delighted to hire someone over-qualified for a position, if it means getting the best worker possible for their money. And in this climate, they need not fear that an over-qualified worker will up and leave them the instance a better job comes along..... as there are so few 'better' jobs going!

But what is the general consensus here??

gandalf

You are better to tailor your cv for each job. I have two different master cv's that I edited depending on the job. One is a five page detailed cv with work experience and achievements for the last ten years, the other is a two page consolidated cv.

I would be wary of putting too much detail of qualifications above and beyond what they are looking for because they could think that you will jump ship the second opportunity comes along.

average_runner

CV should be no longer than 2 pages!

Anything too long has a good chance of been ignored.

PaulieBoy

Squirm wrote: »

I would think that an employer would be delighted to hire someone over-qualified for a position, if it means getting the best worker possible for their money. And in this climate, they need not fear that an over-qualified worker will up and leave them the instance a better job comes along..... as there are so few 'better' jobs going!

But what is the general consensus here??

I would think more like the employer would be thinking you will jump ship ASAP as you are over-qualified and will want a position in line with your qualifications. Hence you would not be happy in said job and are only looking for it as a filler.
I would do a different CV for every job application, just putting down what I think a prospective employer would like to see.
If I was looking for a handy man job I would not include that fact that I qualified as an engineer. That would ensure you do not get the job IMHO, just state that you have experience in building maintenance blah blah...
But hey I could be wrong !!

gandalf

average_runner wrote: »

CV should be no longer than 2 pages!

Anything too long has a good chance of been ignored.

Depends on the job, industry and company involved. My five page cv has gotten me more interviews and finally a job offer which I start on Monday.

The key is to think about every application you make and do not send the same cv in for every job, those days are dead. Check for keywords in the job description and ensure they are in your cv.

Squirm

Thanks for the replies.

I was told in school that a CV should be no longer than 2 pages but, in university it was a different story. So it certainly depends on your industry. Detailing relevent training, qualifications and personal information is a page in itself. Relevant work experience is another 2 pages. Shortening it would mean omitting vital information OR formatting it to be far too congested and difficult to read. I would take my chances with having my CV be too long rather than too concise.

I would generally always ammend my CV, where necessary, so as to apply to the position in question and my cover letter is always a very personal and applicable letter, that compliments my CV.

I should perhaps consider preparing a less detailed CV... but surely, come the interview, it would/will be obvious that I am over-qualified?

I find many organisations are hiring internally these days, where possible, so surely hiring over qualified staff may benefit them in the future?

Is no-one uncomfortable with submitting a CV in the knowledge that it is not the best you could do or doesn't sell you as much as it could? I think I am, that is my issue perhaps...

It absolutely puts them off hiring you. They think you'll jump ship as soon as a better offer comes along, and isn't that what you'd probably do? I've had 3 interviews in the last month and they all asked me if I saw myself staying in this field in the long term, mentioning that my CV is quite impressive. I was honest and said that I do really enjoy it, but that in the future, I'd be interested in doing something more relevant to what I studied in college. This isn't a huge problem, as it's the type of industry where people come and go, but most employers would have told me to take a running jump. Even if you lied and said you wanted to stay there forever, why would someone with say, advanced degrees and good work experience want to work in a low paid/unskilled position, other than just needing to pay the rent?

x in the city

gandalf wrote: »

You are better to tailor your cv for each job. I have two different master cv's that I edited depending on the job. One is a five page detailed cv with work experience and achievements for the last ten years, the other is a two page consolidated cv.

I would be wary of putting too much detail of qualifications above and beyond what they are looking for because they could think that you will jump ship the second opportunity comes along.

no one this side of a distant galaxy is going to read a cv FIVE pages long, end of.

2 pages is what its at, if you have a phd or some crazy ass specifics maybe you could get away with 3 pages.

whydoibother?

I think it depends on the position. They certainly won't read five pages for recent graduates, but for experienced candidates applying for senior positions, they are willing to put a lot more time into each candidate. That's why there may be several rounds of interviews. Of course they don't want five pages describing in excruciating detail very simple jobs, but if you're genuinely still giving important, relevant information about challenging positions you have held, without being repetitive, they'll be more lenient. I've heard recruiters say say that the two-page rule doesn't really apply to senior people. They want to learn about them.

donkey balls

I have applied for a few jobs that I could do with my eyes closed(over 15yrs in the industry)and still get the PFO leters,Some people reckon that because of my previous mgmt role that I could be seen as a threat to the hiring mgr:eek: even though I would be just another joe soap employee.

Eoin

As PaulieBoy says, employers are probably worried that you're taking the job to tide you over until you find something that might stimulate you more.

On the CV length thing - I can only talk from an IT perspective (and not for very senior positions), but I really don't see a need for anything more than 3 pages max.

x in the city wrote:

no one this side of a distant galaxy is going to read a cv FIVE pages long, end of.

I got a few CVs a couple of years ago - one was 9 pages, and one was 12 pages. Absolute nightmare to read. I was more pissed off that the recruitment agency that sent them through thought that this was OK.

Also, unless the jobs you are applying for are very similar, I definitely agree with those saying that you should be tailoring a CV for each application.

leeroybrown

Unfortunately OP, most employers have to seriously consider the potential downsides of hiring someone overqualified for a role. Realistically an overqualified employee will (and probably should) leave if they're offered a better paid role that better uses their skills/experience elsewhere. Hiring an over-qualified employee often means putting someone in at the same level as existing less qualified employees which can potentially have a negative effect on the workplace. Never underestimate the potential risk employers see in putting a management level candidate who's used to being in charge of projects, people, etc into a non-managerial role. You also have the issue of an over-qualified employee becoming dissatisfied with their work or just plain bored. I've been involved in hiring people where one or more of these was a known risk but accepted and also not hiring people where the risks outweighed the benefits.

With regard to the issue of CVs itself, I like to get concise well formatted two or three page CV from applicants but the most important thing is the "concise well formatted" bit. I'd definitely say that some of the worst CVs I've received are the really long almost unreadable ones with far too much superfluous information. If someone is applying for a very senior role and needs more space to detail their experience then so be it. Some sector-specific CVs (for example an academic CV) can necessarily be very long but again it's the content that matters. My own CV is exactly two pages and includes in all the important information a potential employer wants from me. Its actually awkward to keep it down to two pages while still keeping it very readable but it's worth the effort.

cormacc

Over qualified is a bad thing. I'm still in college and went for a part time job interview and was offered assistant manager by the end of the interview. I turned it down and was then told I was over qualified for the role in which I applied and didn't get any job because I wanted to stay in college and finish my course.

Will_H

x in the city wrote: »

no one this side of a distant galaxy is going to read a cv FIVE pages long, end of.

2 pages is what its at, if you have a phd or some crazy ass specifics maybe you could get away with 3 pages.

Utter Rubbish - what exactly qualifies you to make a sweeping statement like that??! :rolleyes: Ditto to average_runner. It all depends upon your experience, length of time in the workplace & the position you are applying for.

Some people here are looking for advice about how to show themselves in the best possible light for a prospective employer - difficult enough in these testing times.

I have 20 years experience in the ICT sector and my CV is 5 pages long. I spent time with a professional HR consultant who is an ex-HR manager and my CV went from 4 pages to 5.

I have also hired people and have seen a lot of CV's in my time. I would personally be happy to help anyone out there looking for a job who would like to have their CV reviewed in strictest confidence.

starlit

Squirm wrote: »

I was just wondering how many people seriously think that being over-qualified would deter a potential employer from considering you as a viable candidate for a vacant position??

Unfortunately that can happen, I for one think that too. Sometimes I feel I'm either over qualified for some jobs and under qualified for others. Trying to find a happy medium is impossible sometimes.

Naturally, my CV gives as much detail as possible regarding work experience, training, qualifications, volunteer work etc, HOWEVER, I have had a couple of people (friends & family, NOT perspective employers) point out that because I am applying for jobs that I am technically over-qualified for, I should prepare a second CV that gives less information about my work experience etc. so as not to put these employers off.

Ya thats great, but does every employer for every job you apply for need to know that, is it relevant to the job you are applying for? Ya its great to have all that work experience behind you but think of the advice other posters have said. You need to tailor your CV and cover letter for the job you are applying for no matter how over qualified you are. You only need to give relevant details of work experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Great you would have loads to talk about but then again, you need to show you have soft skills as well as showing the skills you are qualified to do. For example mention a project you did which would show your communicaton, team-work, leadership, problem solving, planning and organising skills etc. Employers are looking for those qualities of candidates as well as skills and work experience.

If say you did a masters or phd you could cut that out as employers might think otherwise. They might think you would want more pay or a promotion, they might think you wouldn't want to start from the bottom of the ladder. Unless its a job thats suitable to your field of study. If it compliments your degree you could mention it. If its just a degree then stick with that, only add in a few other certs if its relevant to the job.
Can I ask you what field are you in? Some jobs would require further study anyway, that's grand to mention that.

I would think that an employer would be delighted to hire someone over-qualified for a position, if it means getting the best worker possible for their money. And in this climate, they need not fear that an over-qualified worker will up and leave them the instance a better job comes along..... as there are so few 'better' jobs going!

I don't think so, some might, the bigger companies might if it shows you have great work experience. More work experience behind you does not necessary mean you are the best worker possible to hire. The pay won't matter they will have a set amount they will offer you and wouldn't expect to pay any more than that maybe less if you are willing. They feel they might not be getting their monies worth cause they might think you are worth more and they can't afford that. You might be able to do the job well that might gear them in your way of thinking but that's not enough you need to show many other things other than skills and what you are able to do, qualities and all rounded person is the name of the game. What have you got that others not got, can you stand out from the crowd which probably ypu would but think you would outsmart your employers or they think you do fine somewhere else.

Have they ever said they will keep your cv on file if suitable vacancies arise? What areas are you applying for jobs that you are over qualified for if you don't mind me asking?

If you have a varied, interesting and different types of work and number of jobs might show, you don't know what direction you want to take with your career, thats just my opinion and what others have told me, I am in the same boat I have had a lot of different work experience in a shop, office, IT, with students, in school, voluntary work, working with children etc. Sometimes feel not all that work exeperience is relevant to some of the jobs that I apply for but would fit the criteria for most of them i.e. dealing with people and shows that I have customer service skills.

I find it very hard to get the happy medium too regarding my field for jobs, its a mixture of business and IT, I can go for one or the other or a job that requires both areas which is what I am after and very difficult to find here in Ireland. There are jobs I think I'm well qualified for and have strong work experience in but thats not enough, you still need to meet all the requirements even if you are over qualified. I have postgrad study done too which I feel compliments my degree and balances up my qualifications and work experience but then again it is an 'employers market' all the same.

But what is the general consensus here??

I think overall, some of us are in the same boat. I would agree with you do create a second CV by giving less information on work experience. Best of luck OP.

deje88

Im a college graduate B.B.S hons and a PgDip in law, can't get a job in ireland because "I have got enough experience". I started to apply for jobs in the uk at christmas for general graduate programmes and I was asked my one interviewer last month "why are you applying for this job, sure your overqualified". I can only hope they where trying to sound me out and that im not stuck in this catch twenty two of being overqualified and under experienced. The sad thing is the only thing I can do in Ireland at the moment is to go back to college and get further qualified.