Would you hire someone overqualified for a role?

[Lookingforwardtospringster]

I started a new job last year. I ended up being contracted in a role I was overqualified for. It’s been a bit boring and tedious but the dept I was in is finding it doesn’t have enough work for me.
there is another role that has come up potentially! Again totally overqualified for it but keeps my company in with consistent revenue for another year. My work knows I’ve felt under challenged
and bored and keen to get me helping them expand the business. But I’m torn. I was laid off last year and don’t want it to happen again and so tempted just to keep on with the contract so we have consistent money coming in. It is at the expense of developing I’m in my 50s ad part of me wants to be paid well for doing something that isn’t challenging but equally I get demotivated and bored! Do I take the noddy contract or challenge myself!

It really depends. I’m at a stage in life where I really don’t have time for work stress, my job is interesting and engaging but isn’t a stretch of my skills and I’m arguably over qualified. It meets my need just now for decent hours, home working, flexibility and a good team. I’m well
paid but could be paid much more but longer hours, much more stress etc.

If you’re need for a steady income is greater than your need to be stretched I’d stay put - as an adult you find your own motivation. If you’re frustrated and feeling bored then go for the more stretching thing - if the pay is commensurate with the increased demands.

OP, if you’re in your fifties, I’d go for secure employment. I definitely wouldn’t give up one job until you have found another. It’s not so easy to find a new job these days, and as you get older, even less so.

Since it would be an internal sideways shift, maybe speak to your employer and ask them whether they think it would be a feasible move. They know you are under-utilised at the moment so it won't come as any great surprise to them that you're a bit bored.

Can you start a new hobby or get intellectual stretch from something outside work? Have you checked how these potential changes can impact your pension?

I would have a mixed response
We have some fantastic staff in roles they are technically over qualified for who I would re recruit in a heart beat. These people tend to be people who are looking to tack a step back for lifestyle reasons (easing off before retirement, work life balance, family commitments etc), or enjoy the more pratical side rather than management

When i would be hesitant is when people are reluctantly in the role. You might get people that abandon the role very quickly which is a pain as a manager because you pass up other decent candidates, invest in all the induction training processes and by the time they are fully functioning they are looking to leave again.

The bigger problem can be attitude though. Sometimes people accept a lower role, then want to be treated like they are at the higher role. Eg feel like they should be treated differently to others, get all of the good bits and be listened to, but dont want to take any of the responsibility. Equally they just become frustrated. This can cause a lot of friction and create a bad atmosphere for everyone in the team around them.

Often you can pick up the people that are happy in that role vs forced into that role at interview

Its up to you which camp you fall in. Only you'll know how you feel if you are "below" less experienced staff in the structure, if your manager is less qualified than you and how well you tolerate not being stretched at work