Having more education, skills, or experience than required for a particular job, often making employers worry you'll leave quickly or become bored.
Compound word from 'over-' (excessive, beyond) plus 'qualified' (possessing necessary skills). The term gained prominence in the 20th century as education levels rose and workers increasingly had credentials exceeding job requirements.
Employers actually fear hiring overqualified candidates because studies show they have higher turnover rates—yet paradoxically, someone with 'too many' credentials might struggle to find work simply because hiring managers think they're flight risks.
Term emerged mid-20th century as hiring gatekeepers (predominantly male) used it to reject women and minorities perceived as 'threatening' or 'unstable' despite superior credentials. Disproportionately applied to women re-entering workforce after caregiving.
Use 'exceeds role requirements' or specify actual concern (retention risk, salary expectations) rather than characterizing the person. Acknowledge the bias: overqualification anxiety often reflects institutional insecurity, not candidate unsuitability.
["exceeds posted requirements","has advanced preparation","brings surplus expertise"]
Women historically penalized for having 'too many' credentials while men with identical qualifications were called 'ambitious.' Recognize overqualified candidates as assets, not liabilities.
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