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Should-You-Hire-An-Overqualified-Candidate-

Companies have plenty of decisions to make when choosing a candidate for an open job. One of those decisions is whether or not to hire an overqualified candidate. Some companies will say absolutely, while others will refuse to bring an overqualified candidate on as an employee and won’t back down from that sentiment. We will discuss both sides of the argument here so your company knows how to go about making such a decision the next time it needs to hire.

Is the Candidate Actually Overqualified?

The first thing a company must determine is whether or not the candidate is actually overqualified for the position. You determine this by researching his past experience, talking to his references and bringing him in for a job interview. The candidate might be overqualified, but still wants the job because he is relocating to a new state, looking for a new work-life balance or moving into a new industry.

Does the Candidate Show Passion for the Company?

One way to determine if an overqualified candidate should be hired by your company is by his passion for the company itself. If the candidate exhibits passion for working at your company, then it might be a good idea to hire this candidate. If there is no sense of passion for your company, then he will not be a fit at your organization.

Would You Hire Same Candidate Without Their Experience?

An excellent way to figure out if an overqualified candidate is right for your company is by asking the following question:

Would you hire the candidate without his experience? This question helps the company look at other areas of the candidate, including his personality, their fit into your culture and other intangibles. Hiring a candidate for an open job should not be based solely on his resume, which is why this is an excellent question to ask of yourself during the process.

Did the Candidate Go Above-and-Beyond in Their Application?

If the candidate took the time to put together a stellar application even though he is overqualified for the job, then he might be the right person for the job. An overqualified candidate who does not follow the directions or who does not take the time to send in a stellar application will likely exhibit the same work ethic if hired for the job.

Does the Upside Outweigh the Downside?

If the upside of hiring an overqualified candidate outweighs the downside, then it is a good idea for your company. This means the candidate will work hard, want to solve problems, tackle deadlines with ease and want to help the company succeed as much as possible.

Hiring an overqualified candidate all comes down to the preference of the company looking to fill an open job. If none of the problems discussed in this post are evident, then it is a good idea.

Davis Staffing, a top staffing firm in the Chicagoland area, can help you find a job placement today. Contact us to get started!