| Topic Name: |
Rejected for being Overqualified |
| Message Name: |
request for interview |
| Date Posted: |
04/17/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
Having been a hiring manager for many years, I must say I was amused by your post.
It is the most ludicrous thing I've ever read on this particular subject. If you are a hiring manager, it must be miserable to work for you. You don't seem to have a clue about human nature.
First of all, most people get laid off through no fault of their own. Companies cut people without notice in some cases, in others, an event causes them to make deep cuts for the very survival of the company.
The people who are laid off may have even stayed at the company well after the first signs of trouble. They felt obligated to stay at a company in which they had an emotional investment. In the case of a small company, they may have believed that their role was crucial to the company's success. Right or wrong, they didn't want to bail at the first sign of trouble.
When I hire people, I do indeed look for the best qualified individual. I also look at salary requirements. If the individual is clearly overqualified, I do not automatically disqualify that individual. I am open with him/her and I tell him/her that he/she is overqualified for the postion. I then ask why he/she would want to take the job. If I like the answer, the hiring process begins.
Unlike you, I place the responsiblity of an individual knowing what he/she will be happy doing. I state the parameters of the position, and I expect that those parameters will be followed.
I am not so insecure of my performance that I'm afraid the new hire will outshine me. In fact, I hope that the new hire will have an ability to move into a higher position. As for challenging my decisions...GREAT!!! Perhaps it can be a learning experience for both of us.
As for whether or not the individual will stay...well, this is the 21st century. Lifetime employment died in the 20th century. Like many things in business, it's an educated risk. |
| Message: |
My name is Dylan McClain and I am writing an article for The New York Times about human capital. Would you be willing to speak with me? I can be reached at (212) 556-7027 or via e-mail at mcclain@nytimes.com Thank you.
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