Overqualified employees: what to do with overqualification?
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Overqualified
employees: what to do with overqualification?
Today’s challenging labor market with high
unemployment rates and lower labor demands has certainly produced a massive
number of employees who find themselves in places for which they are
overqualified. Those overqualified are thus seen as employees owning education,
work experience, or knowledge beyond what is required by their job (Maynard, et
al., 2006). As a result,
overqualification is normally perceived as a mismatch between employee
education, experience, and organizational requirements (Worthington, 2002).
3 behaviors
to keep overqualified employees happy
1.
Agency
When workers have independence, and when they feel that
they have the ability to affect their work environment, their turnover rate is
no different from others.
2.
Similarly talented coworkers
If overqualified employees interrelate and work with others
at their level, which will retain those employees around.
3.
Appreciation
If overqualified employees sense valued by the organization
and management, they’re also more likely to stay. Staff have chosen to work at
jobs where they are obviously overqualified for some reason not related to the
real job, that makes a difference, too.
How Could overqualification be reduced if company
hire employees fit to the job?
Hiring best applicants suitable to the job is
one of the aims of the HR professionals but when it comes to applicants who
have got much more qualification than the job description for the position what
does it happen? In one study wiped out Albania in 2015 concerning the choice of
employees privately companies it had been found that non-public companies HR’s
didn't really favor overqualified applicants. The rising attention paid to the
issue of overqualification is a result of two recent trends in contemporary
economies stating to the growing number of graduates and to the technological
development requiring not very qualified personnel reducing the companies
expenses due to the growth of the artificial intelligence.
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| Figure 1: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com |
Global Context
Almost half of American employees with college
degrees are overqualified for jobs they hold, and this tendency is likely to last
in the near future (as many as four job seekers vying for each job
opening (Homan, 2011), many people will endure unemployed or within positions
for which they are overqualified until their job is enlarged, they are
promoted, or they leave the company.
(Source: Interview Success Formula, 2014 available at www.youtube.com)
Conclusion
Assessing an overqualified person’s
fitness for hiring, promotion and other employment-related outcomes is a
process where numerous background and social factors, both linked to the overqualified
individual and the observer, can affect attitudes and behaviors towards that
person.
References
Homan, T.R. (2011), “Skills ‘Mismatch’ Hurts U.S. Jobless as Openings Grow: Economy” Available at <https://www.telegram.com/article/20111214/NEWS/112149839> (Accessed 09th August 2021).
Marklein,
M.B. (2013), “Study: Nearly half are overqualified for their jobs”
Available at: <http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/27/study-nearly- half-are-overqualified-for-jobs/1868817/>
(Accessed on 09th August 2021)
Maynard,
D.C., Joseph, T.A. and Maynard, A.M. (2006), “Underemployment, job attitudes
and turnover
intentions”, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Vol. 27, pp. 509-536.
Available at <https://faculty.newpaltz.edu/dougmaynard/files/2013/02/2006- Maynard-Joseph-Maynard.pdf>
(Accessed 09th August 2021)
Trumbull, M.
(2013), “Have degree, driving cab: Nearly half of college grads are overqualified”
Available at: <http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2013/0128/Have-degree-driving- cab- Nearly-half-of-college-grads-are-overqualified> (Accessed on 09th August)
Worthington, J. (2002), “Overqualified for a job? Here’s what they really mean” Available at: <http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2002/11/18/smallb3.html> (Accessed on 09th August)
Hi Nadun, Thank you for the article. Due to competitive job market many millennials tend to accept jobs which require less or no qualification to start their carriers at some point and as you have said the advancement of technology and growing number of qualified workforce are making them to grab the available job opportunities at first regardless of qualification requirements
ReplyDeleteImportant article, overqualification are alleviated. When overqualified employees are empowered, they may expand their role definition, and utilize their skills that are not immediately being utilized by their jobs. For example, when empowered, overqualified employees may have valuable input to upper management in how the work environment could be improved..... thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteNice article Nadun.
ReplyDeleteIf I could add more.By hiring overqualified candidates a company can bring innovation, efficiency, and maturity to the company,but some organizations reject overqualified candidates for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common excuses are:
-They won't stay long and will leave as soon as they find something better.
-They will almost certainly be dissatisfied with the compensation level
-Organizations have no flexibility that allows to pay above tight budget.
-They will be hard to manage since they will be working at a level far below their capabilities.
-They won’t find the job challenging and will be unhappy working
Hi Nadun. When we are dealing with overqualified employees, it is very important to keep overqualified employees involved with the projects and give them more autonomy and allocate them more creative projects. Delegate longer-term projects or have them collaborate with other teams within the company. Though, be aware that this may create even more offense in the team towards the perceived overqualified
ReplyDeleteKeeping qualified staff involved, allow for more independence, and give them more creative assignments. Post long-term projects or partner with other teams in the company. However, keep in mind that this can create a lot of hatred in the group for employees who are considered to be overly trained.
ReplyDeleteIf an employee is overqualified for a certain job position, they will be demotivated. But an overqualified employee with correct motivation will act beyond what's expected and will be beneficial in achieving targets and goals. Therefor when comes to overqualified employees HRM should be tactful to empower them.
ReplyDeleteWith the global economic crisis and high growth of population opportunities in job market become narrow. This resulted people with overqualified are stagnated in job role which not require such qualifications to do. But it's important to HR to manage these people with good manner to reduce turnover and dissatisfaction among them. This segment can be useful to extract creative & useful ideas which useful to develop company strategies.
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ReplyDeleteAny kind of overqualification will only arise during the interview and selection process. The Manager must ask the appropriate questions and listen carefully to the answers of the applicant to see whether he or she match with the culture of the Organisation. Most employees, however, are just happy with their jobs, but some employees only take work as a way to do the next job, which can create cost to the Organisation. Therefore Managers must be vigilant at the selection process to select best suit employees to the Organisation.
ReplyDeleteIf overqualified individuals are not given more autonomy and authority over their own jobs, they may develop negative job attitudes and the intention to quit. Overqualified employees should be able to express that they are valued members of the organization. This can help to reduce these overqualified employees' unfavorable job attitudes and intentions.
ReplyDeleteGood article Nadun,Overqualified personnel in all likelihood see the activity they are in as a stepping stone, Erdogan says. For a corporation, the selection to hire an overqualified worker involves weighing the value of turnover if that worker leaves fast with the advantages the personnel’ competencies can convey into the agency.
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff,Overqualified candidates have skills or education beyond what is required for a job. Some applicants are overqualified because they have more experience than required for a job. Overqualified employees can also benefit their coworkers. They can contribute to the company's growth and development by sharing knowledge. Alternatively, they may believe that such profiles will make their job easier and less challenging. Ultimately, this will lead to job dissatisfaction and increased turnover.
ReplyDeleteHello, Nadun. This is a fantastic topic to discuss. The job market is extremely competitive right now. Thousands of graduates have graduated from local and international universities. The demand for jobs is greater than the supply. Without a choice, fresh graduates will apply for any job that is available simply to meet their needs. They may later change their minds about where they want to go.
ReplyDeleteOverqualified employees: what to do with over qualification?
Generally, literature treats over qualification as a negative phenomenon, mostly because overqualified employees have more negative job attitudes (Maynard, Joseph, & Maynard, 2006) and are more likely to leave (Verhaest & Omey, 2006). At the same time, the research of Erdogan,B and Talya N. Bauer (2009).that indicates that employees who feel overqualified perform better
Thank you for sharing an informative topic. all the best.
Great Article Nadun, Overall a very controversial topic with many argument for & against overqualification where some argue that it's just to show the paper qualification whereas there are other parties who argue that it enhances job knowledge & performance. However at the end of the day it simply depends on the individua, how does he use his/her knowledge or skills? Thank you for sharing such an informative topic.
ReplyDeleteNice post, These accounting software in Surat offer a comprehensive set of features and tools to cater to the specific requirements of businesses, whether they are small startups, medium-sized companies, or large corporations.
ReplyDelete