Should you apply to a job when you know you’re overqualified? Most job seekers in the U.S. and Canada think so, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
American Job Seekers Say Overqualified Candidates Are Competitive
Fifty-five percent of job seekers report it’s impossible to compete for a job against a candidate who’s overqualified, particularly those with limited experience or applying for entry-level roles.
Job seekers recognize employers may be doing a disservice by dismissing these candidates outright, as 81% report organizations miss out by rejecting overqualified candidates too quickly. In fact, 65% of job seekers said they have applied for roles for which they are themselves overqualified for reasons such as:
- The need for income – 59%
- Better work-life balance – 56%
- A passion for the industry – 41%
Most job seekers (87%) agree it’s appropriate to apply to jobs they’re overqualified for if it’s a position they want. From the hiring perspective, 70% of hiring managers say their company typically considers hiring candidates who are overqualified.
Canadian Job Seekers Apply Even When Overqualified
Fifty-nine percent of job seekers report it’s impossible to compete for a job against a candidate who is overqualified, particularly those with limited experience or applying for entry-level roles. They recognize employers may be doing a disservice by dismissing these candidates outright, as 83% report organizations miss out by rejecting these candidates too quickly.
In fact, 64% of job seekers said they have applied for roles for which they are themselves overqualified for reasons such as:
- The need for income – 58%
- Better work-life balance – 53%
- A passion for the industry – 35%
Eighty-nine percent of job seekers agree it’s appropriate to apply to jobs they’re overqualified for if it’s a position they want. From a hiring perspective, 61% of hiring managers say their company typically considers hiring candidates who are overqualified.
Explore More Job Market Trends to Fuel Your Career
Discover more current job market trends, including flexibility in a shifting market and job security anxiety, in the Job Seeker Report.
To track the latest trends, The Harris Poll, on behalf of Express Employment Professionals, conducts a biannual Job Seeker Report survey tracking job market trends across a wide range of industries. The report also features training, development, and skills-building opportunities developed by Express to support job seekers in their career journeys.
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The Job Seeker Report survey was conducted online within the United States and Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express among adults ages 18 and older who are employed but looking for a new job or not employed and looking for work (“job seekers”) in the U.S. (n=1,000) and Canada (n=503). For complete survey methodology, please contact Communications@ExpressPros.com.
