One of the things that makes job-seekers crazy, I’ve learned, is being called “overqualified” by potential employers–and then being turned down for the job.
That sore point was underscored recently when I wrote about how unfair it is for hiring officers to pin that ugly label on absolutely qualified applicants.
In fact, I suggested, being called “overqualified” reeks of age discrimination and smells of a strong desire by employers not to pay people what they’re worth.
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The deluge of correspondence I got in response to my objection to the growing use of that word is the reason I’m revisiting the subject.
Insightful readers have suggested to me an additional way of dealing with continually being accused of being “overqualified.”
The panacea, readers tell me, is humor.
Even if it hurts when you laugh. I like the suggestion a lot because I have long believed it is better to laugh than to cry, and in the current job market there’s plenty of opportunity to do both.
Stephen W. McKinnis of Woodland Hills, Calif., a former communications marketing manager and computer graphic artist–he’s now a freelance artist–has been called “overqualified” much too often, he says.
“When did I become `overqualified’ to earn and collect a paycheck?” he counters with irony.
Another reader jokes that she’s found that being “too qualified to work gives me time off from the glow of my computer to reflect about my past years of tech living. I’d like to find a rewarding job instead–but I’m too qualified . . . “
While most “overqualified” job seekers reported every offensive detail of the disappointing job interview itself, Bill Johnson of Enumclaw, Wash., instead went on the offensive, using satire to dull the blow.
“The unemployed need work the same as they need air to breathe–instead of being called `overqualified,'” said Johnson, president and co-owner with his wife, Janet, of Chimera Co., an e-publishing consulting firm.
Johnson is in his 30s and in the process of job hunting to supplement his business, which was hit hard last year by a slowing economy.
“Just imagine this scenario,” he said, drawing an analogy between breathing and being a highly skilled, experienced job seeker:
“Interviewer: `Are you capable of independent respiration?’
“Job candidate: `Yes, I have more than 30 years experience in breathing and I can even tie my own shoes.’
“Interviewer: `I’m sorry, but your experience in shoe-tying makes you overqualified to breathe. I’m sure that at this point in your life you find the act of simply breathing tiresome and unrewarding. The benefits of breathing can’t possibly be of material consequence to you at this stage in your professional life.’
“Job candidate: `But I need to breathe to survive!’
“Interviewer: `I understand your situation, really I do. And I sympathize. But I cannot let you breathe here. Please stop breathing. I have other people (younger and willing to take a lower salary) who need to breathe more than you do!'”
Since he’s been job hunting for a year, I asked Johnson how he retains his sense of humor.
“Can you imagine being in this boat for so long without it?” he replied.
No, I can’t–unless you’re overqualified.
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Carol Kleiman’s column also appears in Tuesday’s Business and Wednesday’s Working sections. Watch her Career Coach segments on CLTV. Send e-mail to [email protected].
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