Or is it just a term made up to find an easier reason to reject job applicants?

So it looks like the consensus is “overqualified” is a euphemism for

  • “I’m afraid you’ll leave this job because I’m assuming you’ll have better chances elsewhere” aka “you won’t accept being my slave forever due to lack of opportunities”
  • “I’m afraid you might actually understand how shitty it is here and want to improve things. can’t have that”
  • “I don’t want to figure out how much to pay you when you know your worth”
  • “You cost too much”
  • “I have other reasons, but won’t say them”
    • Vanth@reddthat.comEnglish
      4·
      3 days ago

      Yeah, but hiring is a big series of assumptions. Resumes and interviews only give you so much confidence on how a person will actually do in the job.

      Speaking for myself, I want to hire quickly. I get 10 resumes for 1 spot, I’m not going to agonize over whether the PhD is having a mid-life change and really wants the fast food job, or if they are going to split in a month, or hell, if they have some addiction or personal problem that prevents them from holding a job that matches their qualifications. If there’s a candidate that meets the reqs and seems like a fit, I’m moving right along with them.

      If the PhD is convincing in an interview that they’re really just looking for a switch, sure, but I’m not going to waste a lot of time and energy waiting to be convinced when there are other candidates with a more expected profile also vying for the job.