Comments on: The new lie applicants are telling

By: CarlaB

CarlaB — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:27:34 +0000

As an HR professional, I am amazed everytime I hear a hiring manager say, “we can’t hire that person because they are overqualified.” For heaven sakes, the person is making an HONEST effort to secure a job so that s/he can make an HONEST living to support themselves and/or their families….so often, I really want to remind the hiring manager that this “overqualified” person could be buglarizing homes and robbing persons. Wanting to work in a job that one is otherwise “overqualified” for is not the worst thing that person could be doing.

Having an MBA, a JD and 15+ years of progressively challenging multi-state experience in HR, I am really glad my current employer took a chance and hired me even in a lesser functioning position. . I am truely thankful and once I am a licensed attorney I plan to stay with this company, perhaps in a different role; nonetheless, I appreciate the opportunity provided to me by this company.

By: Nora

Nora — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:38:48 +0000

I have been one of those denied employment (specifically stated from the employer) because I was overqualified and they felt “I would jump ship” when a higher position became available. I was also told I was a perfect candidate otherwise. No matter how I promised and offered assurances that I actually was ready for a “step down” I was refused the job.

I happen to be reaching the point in my career where stepping down from an upper level management position to a mid level position with less demand is desirable, but if I tell an employer that they think I am “too old” and won’t stay.

How do you deal with that!!??

By: Dan in Santa Barbara

Dan in Santa Barbara — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:42:07 +0000

Rather than lie on a resume (NEVER a good idea under ANY circumstances), these applicants might be better served explaining how their lofty former positions gives them the insight needed, to perform lower-level jobs with aplomb.

By: Syl

Syl — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:23:09 +0000

Hey, anyone looking for an “overqualified” manufacturing manager in the Phx area? I have an excellent applicant for you!!!

By: TerryB, SPHR

TerryB, SPHR — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:47:38 +0000

SS — I just googled “educating children about cyberspace dangers” and it looks like a good selection of articles.

By: SS

SS — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:37:49 +0000

Watch out TerryB, I’m coming after them. LOL.

This is totally off topic, but I’ll throw it out there just in case… does anyone have materials or know of a resource (no cost or low cost) for educating parents regarding what to look out for and how to protect their kids in the cyberworld (internet, texting, cell phones, etc). I’d like to do sort of a PSA for our employees with kids. Thanks.

By: TerryB, SPHR

TerryB, SPHR — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:31:42 +0000

Hey SS — Don’t you be thinking about stealing my trained workforce!!!

By: SS

SS — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:25:48 +0000

TerryB, so what we should do is this… all of those employers who are afraid of hiring overqualified workers should hire and train the entry level workforce and all of those employers who want the most bang for their buck can hire the overqualified workers, then everyone is happy.

Oh wait, who is going to hire those employees whose qualifications match our needs exactly???

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:58:58 +0000

Amen TERRYB, SPHR…I don’t think anyone can make up their minds about what the rules are anymore, it’s just smuding the black and white creating more Gray. I say, you have to just use your best instincts because thats all we really have in the end. We don’t know what will happen once we hire people, it’s as if they want to predict the future of each candidate now!

By: TerryB, SPHR

TerryB, SPHR — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:18:11 +0000

Headline 2009 — “Teens Can’t Get Summer Jobs Due to Labor Surplus”

Then there’s this article advancing the idea that it’s a great bargain to hire the overqualified — I guess we’re to forget about training the entry level workforce.

And yes, of course we all want the most qualifications for the buck.

But I’m glad I’m retiring from HR, because I can just see the headlines a few years from now — “Where Are The Qualified Workers??????”

There’s got to be a compromise in here somewhere, or the recruiter’s job in the future is going to be VERRRRRY interesting!