Should you be hiring someone that is over qualified for a job? 


Spinwell Global

Posted Apr 04, 2023

Should you be hiring someone that is over qualified for a job?

In hiring someone that is overqualified there certainly are risks involved and rewards presented if they can make it work.

A hiring manager may feel reluctant to hire someone over qualified due to the fact that they may not stay too long in the company, may demand more money than the role calls for and so on.

Pros of hiring an over qualified candidate for the role: 

 Risks 

 Rewards 

Overqualified candidates certainly can bring a lot to the table for you and your company.

Ideally they require a lot less supervision and training due to the experience they already have. This would generate a higher ROI as they bring about better, more innovative, new ideas.

People with this much experience can also help in becoming mentors for others. A fine tool in boosting team morale and development.

Questions to ask prior to hiring an over qualified professional 

  1. Why is this candidate interested in a job role that is far below their qualifications?
  2. What is it that they want/expect from this role?
  3. Do you have a use for their extra skill?

(Perhaps a trouble shooting or mentoring programs for your employees that could be arranged with the overqualified professionals help)

  1. What are the chances they would leave if a better role came about?
  2. In what ways can their expertise help your company?

Suggested Blogs

There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form, by injected humour, or randomised words which don't look even slightly believable.

Upskilling & Internal Mobility: The Smart Hire Starts From Within

dev_admin

Posted Jul 01, 2025

  In 2025, organisations across the UK are doubling down on one of the most sustainable recruitment strategies: investing in…

The 4-Day Work Week: Is the UK Ready?

dev_admin

Posted Jun 20, 2025

The 4-day work week: once a pipe dream, now a serious conversation in boardrooms across the UK. After one of…

Recruiting in the Age of Gen Z: It’s Giving “Future of Work”

dev_admin

Posted Jun 13, 2025

Move over Millennials — Gen Z has entered the chat Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is flooding the…