Money Employers: experience hiring "over qualified" workers

**cdcox** · 02-10-2010, 03:09 PM

I am participating in the hiring process for an important non-technical professional-level position in my department. I'm screening the applications and there appear to be some people that are overqualified. Some are gainfully employed and others are unemployed due to the economy. We would probably pay around 2/3 or so of their peak market value to date.

We need continuity for at least 3 to 4 years (preferably longer) to consider the hire a success. I am of course skeptical that some of them would stay as long as desired, but we could really benefit from a top notch person.

Is there any circumstance where you would strongly consider an overqualified person?

**DaFace** · 02-10-2010, 04:43 PM

I felt bad for this thread, so I figure I'll give it a bump.

stlchiefs · 02-10-2010, 04:44 PM

Yes, please hire me.

Stewie · 02-10-2010, 04:47 PM

Heh! We just had a layoff but we're desperate for design engineers. These are people with intimate knowledge of CAD and have some smarts, not necessarily "engineers." We're down to two finalists with Masters degrees in engineering. They're over-qualified for sure, but it's hard to turn down applicants that contribute immediately.

Sandyskc · 02-10-2010, 05:03 PM

I suspect they will be so happy to have a job, they will be very loyal to your company. I know I would.

Pants · 02-10-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandyskc

I suspect they will be so happy to have a job, they will be very loyal to your company. I know I would.

But honestly, the feelings of loyalty would most likely fade in about a year or so and the prospect of a higher-paying job would most likely make them leave.

Dante84 · 02-10-2010, 05:10 PM

I've had a few interviews and I have been passed on due to lateral moves and downward moves by others.

It's hard to break in right now.

RJ · 02-10-2010, 05:12 PM

Are there benefits to make up some of the difference in salary?

Stewie · 02-10-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Are there benefits to make up some of the difference in salary?

People completely underestimate benefits. A similarly paying job from one company to another can mean a difference of $1000s in compensation per year.

RJ · 02-10-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

People completely underestimate benefits. A similarly paying job from one company to another can mean a difference of $1000s in compensation per year.

So true. My wife could go elsewhere for more money but her PTO and health insurance keep her from leaving.

I was thinking that cdcox might be underestimating those benefits when he's looking at the salary differences.

**chiefforlife** · 02-10-2010, 08:38 PM

I would bring the issue up in the interview and hire based on the response to the question. Assuming you like everything else about the candidate.

Simply Red · 02-10-2010, 05:25 PM

I'd have to say, considering all of the fish in the pond (currently.) Try to keep it close to a 'mutual match.'

knowing what i know about your company, which isn't a lot.

Mr. Laz · 02-10-2010, 05:29 PM

depends on how desperate the over qualified guys is

**Iowanian** · 02-10-2010, 05:34 PM

If the overqualified guy is hungry and just learned a hard lesson about the value of employment....I'll give him a look for sure.

LaChapelle · 02-10-2010, 05:46 PM

Hire them so they can move up the ladder quickly
making you a hero in others eyes

02-10-2010, 03:09 PM	Topic Starter
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2361769	Employers: experience hiring "over qualified" workers I am participating in the hiring process for an important non-technical professional-level position in my department. I'm screening the applications and there appear to be some people that are overqualified. Some are gainfully employed and others are unemployed due to the economy. We would probably pay around 2/3 or so of their peak market value to date. We need continuity for at least 3 to 4 years (preferably longer) to consider the hire a success. I am of course skeptical that some of them would stay as long as desired, but we could really benefit from a top notch person. Is there any circumstance where you would strongly consider an overqualified person?
Posts: 45,536

02-10-2010, 04:43 PM	#2
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2046899	I felt bad for this thread, so I figure I'll give it a bump.
Posts: 51,755

02-10-2010, 04:44 PM	#3
stlchiefs Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Loser, MO Casino cash: $10005674	Yes, please hire me.
Posts: 4,160

02-10-2010, 04:47 PM	#4
Stewie MVP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West of the Equator Casino cash: $1929901	Heh! We just had a layoff but we're desperate for design engineers. These are people with intimate knowledge of CAD and have some smarts, not necessarily "engineers." We're down to two finalists with Masters degrees in engineering. They're over-qualified for sure, but it's hard to turn down applicants that contribute immediately.
Posts: 13,604

02-10-2010, 05:03 PM	#5
Sandyskc Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lee's Summit Casino cash: $10005383	I suspect they will be so happy to have a job, they will be very loyal to your company. I know I would.
Posts: 202

02-10-2010, 05:10 PM	#7
Dante84 Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ATX & OPKS Casino cash: $1801996 VARSITY	I've had a few interviews and I have been passed on due to lateral moves and downward moves by others. It's hard to break in right now.
Posts: 19,632

02-10-2010, 05:12 PM	#8
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9965202	Are there benefits to make up some of the difference in salary?
Posts: 14,931

02-10-2010, 08:38 PM	#11
chiefforlife Colorado Chief Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $6243147	I would bring the issue up in the interview and hire based on the response to the question. Assuming you like everything else about the candidate.
Posts: 5,589

02-10-2010, 05:25 PM	#12
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	I'd have to say, considering all of the fish in the pond (currently.) Try to keep it close to a 'mutual match.' knowing what i know about your company, which isn't a lot.
Posts: 71,691

02-10-2010, 05:29 PM	#13
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	depends on how desperate the over qualified guys is __________________
Posts: 95,626

02-10-2010, 05:34 PM	#14
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4778454	If the overqualified guy is hungry and just learned a hard lesson about the value of employment....I'll give him a look for sure.
Posts: 61,525

02-10-2010, 05:46 PM	#15
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Hire them so they can move up the ladder quickly making you a hero in others eyes
Posts: 8,588