Resolved Question

Why would an employer turn you down for a role you are "over qualified" for?

If you are by far capable of performing the role and are very happy to do the job then why would they say "Sorry you did not get the job because you are over qualified"?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

You might leave when you're offered a better job, and if you're overqualified, you might ask for a raise/promotion 'cause you totally deserve it, but they only wanted some idiot donkey to do the hard work, not another budding manager on the team.

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Other Answers (6)

• The posters here are correct, and are looking at the situation in the most polite possible way.
  
  In my line of work I see employers use the "over qualified" line as a way not to hire people over a certain age. The line goes something like this "Looking at your resume you have done everything that this job requires, you have very successfully worked in this industry for a while, BUT you are over qualified". Sound familiar? That is what most of the out of work employees who are over 40 years old are hearing.
  
  While we all know that age discrimination is against federal laws (www.eeoc.gov) it is very tough to prove. Especially since the employers are allowed talk in code and 'over qualified' really means too old.

  Source(s):

• Basically they think that you will get bored and frustrated doing the job, are only accepting it because you have nothing else on offer and that you will leave as soon as you can. For example If you have a degree in nuclear physics, you may be happy stacking shelves on a temporary basis, but you sure aren't going to want to stay there doing it long-term !
• Because it is THEIR CHOICE
  BEcause they are afraid you will be bored
  Because they are afraid you will leave as soon as something better comes along
  Because they are trying to let you know that you weren't turned down because you're not qualified
  Because they think you will be too expensive
  Because, though they won't admit it, they want some one younger
• Employer's believe that you will get bored with the position and move on to something more fitting to your skill set.
  
  It can also be just a nicer way of saying we just don't want to hire you for whatever reason, and overqualified sounds better than the real reason.
• Because you might leave within a short amount of time and because you probably will want more money than they are willing to pay for the job.
• Because they think you will move on when something better comes along