When a Hiring Manager Says “You’re Over Qualified”

It can be difficult to understand the ominous message

In the context of a job search, it can be difficult to understand the ominous message, “We can’t hire you because you’re over qualified.” After all, shouldn’t being well-qualified be a good thing?

The job search process is often unfair. This “over qualified” message is one more example of how and why the job search process is unfair. For mid- and late-career professionals this message suggests added lack of fairness for multiple reasons.

Unfortunately, in the job market, there can be such a thing as being too qualified. Here are some possible explanations for why a hiring manager might say this to a job seeker.

A Traditional View Of This Message

In many cases it is possible that the employer is concerned that a so-called over qualified candidate will leave the role for a better fit within a short period of time. A recent time I heard this message was from a candidate who heard it shortly after having lost his job. The candidate was highly intelligent and competent. He interviewed well.

Moreover, the candidate had a wealth of experience and could do the employer’s job quite well. But, the employer was concerned that the…