ALT-1 The Benefits of Hiring Overqualified Candidates
Why should a company hire overqualified candidates? This is a good question, because a lot of companies will not hire employeeswho are overqualified. while there are many reasons why a company would rather shy away from someone who's to qualified, there are a lot of benefits to hiring employees who might have more skills than you need. In this economy most people are happy to find a job wherever they can have it.
The first reason you hired overqualified candidate is because they will appreciate having a job. If they've been unemployed, or simply working in an industry the didn't suit their skills, they will appreciate whatever pay they get because it will still be a step up for them. The company will still get a motivated employee, without having to pay as much. This is a win-win for the company and the employee because the employee gets to put this job on his resume.
Another reason to hire a candidate that might have more skills you need is because that person will do a better job. Think of it like this: If you had a high school student doing second grade math, the high schooler will probably do is good job of, or better than, the second-grader. This is because the high school student will have advanced skills that will make elementary school math a breeze.
If you have someone with advanced skills, they might also have advanced experience. This means that if you are hiring someone to answer phones in the office, but they have management experience and prior job, they will be able to handle the job. They also will be someone that you could possibly develop and bring along if a job opening comes along. Any company would be lucky to have someone with advanced experience that could be used at the current job.
Why else should a company look at someone that is overqualified? Well, common sense says the you get the most qualified employee you can find. In this market, it is unlikely that someone would leave because other opportunities might be scarce. Why take a chance on someone who is not qualified, when you have someone who can clearly do the job? It's like asking for a Kia and getting a Porsche instead.
hiring an employee that is overqualified can be a risk, but it is one that you should take. You'll be getting someone who has advanced skills, someone who could do as good a job as anyone else would and you could probably pay them less. It is a good deal for the employer, and a good deal for the employee, who will finally have a job after what could be a long search.
