to be furious that I didn;t get a job because I am "overqualified"

[JustShaggingForNow]

Just been told that they loved me at interview and were so impressed with my appearence, tests, yadd yadda yadda but that they have gone for someone else because they feel that I a "overqualified"

FFS - we are in a recession. Everybody is overqualified!

Think of it as the employment equivalent of 'it's not you, it's me' ie they are letting you down gently.

Don't despair you will land a great job soon. Chin up x

The thing is, not everybody is. And an employer who is also caught in a recession would far rather want to employ someone who is adequately qualified for the job than someone who is over qualified and using the job as a stop-gap until something better comes along, meaning the employer has to shell out more costs to recruit another replacement.

So while I can understand your frustration I'm afraid I can see it from the employer's pov too.

I know wannwBe but I am genuinely looking for something less stressful and settled then my current role. Told them this and they didn;t believe me. So frustrating!

Oh Well - it's Friday and I can't stay miserable for long in this vodka stream!

I'm not sure this will be what you want to hear but anyway....

I was told this once at interview stage, but persuaded them to hire me anyway. I lasted six months before quitting due to being monumentally bored and underused. It was quite dreadful and they were quite right to have had reservations.

Recruitment is important for companies but so is retention. It was a horrible experience for me, and not an error I'd make twice.

YANBU to be furious at there not being a job available that's worth your skills though.

Oops - wrong forum!
Trying to be positive and not let it get to me but it's still irritating as my current boss is a nightmare and I need to escape him!!!

Have been there. Just because you're 'over-qualified' doesn't mean you'll jump to the next position available for which you are qualified.

I wanted few hours, no stress and a few pounds to be able to spend whilst my DC were at nursery and school. I know I would have done a good job but I felt, by saying I was over-qualified, they were of the opinion I was just there for the fun of it.

You will get something else though - I did - it was a christmas contract with M&S and it was the most fun I'd ever had. wouldn't do it now though, boycotted M&S due to Hooters issue!!

I think it generally means they are either threatened (i.e. will she want my job in a year or so's time), or they want someone cheaper.

Something better will come along soon.

It is really tough out there at the moment - I've just finishing shortlisting for a post which a couple of years ago we'd have been lucky to get 6 decent applicants.

There were 40 people applied - for a one year contract - and all the applicants could have done the job.

I think you really have to sell yourself for the post you are applying for - and justify why you are looking for a lower paid job.

Good luck in your search.

YANBU to be sad about it - in reality, they shouldn't have interviewed you if they weren't going to ever offer you the job, that is their fault.

Never mind - the right job will come along for you, not sure when, but it will. :)

Oh yes - was told this at interview. I told them I wanted to work in a school as I was an older first time mother and wanted to work locally and fully understood the implications on salary but felt they would get a good deal.

I got a call later saying I was 'overqualified' etc. It hurt but that's the market - they might of meant it or just thought I was unsuitable.

Either way it hurt, but that's the market.

I don't think I hit it off with the boss and I think I might have intimidated her - but that's my fault.

You hang on in there.

Maybe you were too honest. I know several phds looking for work, any work, and they say they have omitted the fact that they have a phd. Their application automatically goes in the bin otherwise.

Maybe. The thing is I'm actually not overqualified, they just perceive me to be because I'm leaving a role in London for one in a rural city.
Its a fine line between having a cv hood enough to get the interview and being overly experienced in the position.

I have suffered the same!!! Looking for a part time no stress job while DD's are still very young!!! Left high profile city job few years ago but seems that I am stuck between rock and a hard place.

Dont want a professional career anymore, and even if i did i wouldnt get due to young family and need to be home before stupid o'clock!! Cant get ordinary job [not patronising just cant think of right word after few glasses of wine emoticon]as keep being told over qualified and treated with suspicion at interviews!

You have my sympathy!!

I feel your pain, honestly. Is there any chance you could work freelance?

I do a lot of recruitment and often select people who are over-qualified, but equally I sometimes reject candidates for the same reason. It all boils down to how they present themselves at interview. The question I usually want answered is, am I going to get really good value for money here from someone with way better skills than I could reasonably hope for at this level, or am I going to get someone who will expect an easy life for the next few years, coasting in a job they think is beneath them. And if it's the latter, am I actually going to get much more out of someone with less experience and fewer skills who is desperate for a chance to prove themselves?

If you got as far as the interview, then I would suggest that your being over-qualified wasn't actually a deal-breaker, so maybe you need to think about how you're presenting your motivations etc at interview, to make sure that you're giving out the right messages and coming across in the way that you want to.