What if you're overqualified?

[Power Wagon]

As some of you know, I'm not working for a diesel injection shop anymore. Instead, i've been in school. However, the need for sustenance has taken a great toll on me (having to do without popcorn is TOUGH!), and I've been doing some job searching. A local ISP needs someone to do somework for them for which I am if not qualified, very well qualified. However, at the wages they are offering, I can tell they are expecting someone at or near entry level (starting at 50 cents over min wage). I REALLY need the job, and the company is growing, so opportunity to do something else better might be in the future.

I already lost one job opening because I was vastly overqualified for the job - but finding part-time work that meshes with being a student tends to mean you have to take that kind of work. How do you deal with this? Any/all comments are welcome...

(Even humor... trust me, I need something to dull the stress lately... )



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ICQ 3807791 Power Wagon
www.my2kcity.com/powerwagon
Mark Koskenmaki, General Diesel Moderator

 

[Joe G.]

Mark,

The thing I would ask myself in your position is "do I have a goal?" If so, "would working at one of these places help me get there in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable amount of effort?" If that's the case then just grin and bear it.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Power Wagon]

Originally posted by Joe G. :
Mark,

The thing I would ask myself in your position is "do I have a goal?" If so, "would working at one of these places help me get there in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable amount of effort?" If that's the case then just grin and bear it.

That's not the problem. They would not take me at the one I lost. They wanted people with no experience and little knowledge.

Just need some sort of idea how to overcome that mentality.

 

[maint.man]

PW, Start with forgetting half what ya' know . Kinda' seems like a impossibility doesn't it . All I can say is I myself would take pride in the knowlege that you hold and try to remember , any job you actually can be happy at is a good one, no matter where it is.

Good luck,

Brent

 

[willyslover]

best advice I can give ... apply up not down
and hang in there you'll find what your looking for

 

[Wade Hogg]

PW,

Where are you going to school?

Wade

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Mark,

I agree with willyslover, apply up never down. Remember the reason you quit your original job, i'd hate to see anyone give up on education. Another thought for you to consider is the monster board or the recruiters,they have done some amazing things for some people i know.

You know back when i was training and making about $2. bucks an hour, no joke, that is what it worked out to be ,i found it difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel. It was very hard to stay focussed and believe it was for a better future. It took a while and 20 years later, here i am.

Dont give up, these things seem to have a way of working themselves out.

Bill Kondolay

 

[Joe G.]

Mark,

At one time I worked for the Cal State Universities system. At that time they had a program called Work Study where they placed students in campus jobs. Usually the jobs were related in some way to their major. The work schedule was taylored to avoid conflicts with their classes. Does your school have something like that?

 

[Ramboy00]

Mark,
You might try a technical contracting company. I have worked for several in the past with very good results. If interested, you can e-mail me for list of contacts.
Phil

 

[Power Wagon]

Originally posted by Wade Hogg:
PW,

Where are you going to school?

Wade

I'm in the Computer Science Program at Walla Walla Community College. And yes, I need some part-time half-baked job while I'm in school, to help pay the bills. It's not really about moving up or down, simply because I've never held a job working for someone else in an IT position of any kind.

I'm really just starting over in an entirely new area.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I've always felt that any job is better than no job.

If you have no job, what the new job pays is irrelavent.

If you have a job. Move up, not down.

I would say, for your situation, find the best paying job that will get you through. If that job happens to work into your future plans, then great!

Doc

PS - You will move up the pay scale quickly, I am sure, because you're mature, intellegent and will seize opportunity.


[This message has been edited by Doc Tinker (edited 05-15-2001). ]

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

As production manager at the local daily newspaper, I did all the hiring for our mechanical, and some technical positions. We avoided hiring desperate, but over-qualified workers because past experiences doing so had well proved that these over-qualified workers would only stick with us until a better job presented itself to them - thus, we ended up wasting lots of training and paper work on employees who had NO intention of sticking with us long enough to justify their training.

We were FAR better off, long term, with an UNDER-qualified employee who was GRATEFUL for an employment opportunity, than with an OVER-qualified employee who was unhappy with his job, pay, and ultimately, his employer!

You will need to FIRST determine that YOU are willing to accept and REMAIN on a job that is "beneath" you for a period of time that will satisfy reasonable expectations of your intended employer, and THEN you have to convince THEM of that fact!

Good luck!

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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... 108,000 trouble-free miles... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... Power Shot 2000 propane system... Mag-Hytec double deep A/T transmission pan...

MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...

 

[Power Wagon]

In this age of litigious people (see my other thread on dumb lawsuits), I doubt anyone would ever admit they hired lesser qualified people. I'm suprised you did, Gary.

So, they won't bring it up... They just don't call. As far as how long... I need a year to 2 years, and what I'm going to school for will most likely make me one of the people they really do need to do much higher end work than this. And, I'd be happy to stay around for "decent" pay to do what it is I'm taking 2 or 3 years of my life preparing for #ad


Everyone has to start somewhere, and I never said, nor have I ever hinted, that I won't start at the bottom rung. That's not the problem. The problem is: They won't hire me for the bottom rung, and I don't have the paper qualifications for the jobs higher up. Anyway, thanks for your insight, Gary... Much appreciated.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I retired from that job 5 years ago, so NOW I can tell all... #ad


As you mentioned, we just ignored the obviously over-qualified applicants as we went thru the stack...

AFTER all, it's just plain DUMB to hire a 38 year old former high-paid married supervisor with a family to do the SAME job you usually fill with minimum wage high school kids just out of school - it's pretty obvious he's out of his element in terms of skill and salary requirements, and after you do all the pre-job screening, drug testing and DMV report bit, then fill out all the Human Resources forms, set up the medical and pension plan paperwork, train the guy for the job he was BEGGING for when he applied, he will be GONE in a FLASH as soon a another opening in his job specialty appears - after all, he probably DOES have a hundred resumes out in the works even as he applies for YOUR bottom-rung opening...

It doesn't take a employer long to figure out the futility in getting involved in those deadend situations, and the applications don't even BEGIN to be considered...

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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... 108,000 trouble-free miles... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... Power Shot 2000 propane system... Mag-Hytec double deep A/T transmission pan...

MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...

 

[Diesel Freak]

Wow this sounds familiar.
I went back to school after I got out of the navy and during that time I got a part time job working in a lumberyard driving delivery truck. I can honestly say that work was much more stressful than school because I was extremely overqualified (I am an ex-nuke machinist mate) for the job. It was very hard for me to go from a position of leadership and responsibility to a position where I worked with and for idiots. My attitude finally got so bad that I ended up orchestrating my own dismissal. That was one of the happiest days of my life. I think the grin on my face when I was handed my pink slip said it all.

My advice; when taking a position that you know is beneath you, ensure that you have a set goal in mind and also try to stay in the field you are training for.

I now have the job of my dreams and I love it!
-Cliff


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2001 ETH-DEE, Diablo Power Puck, Bosch 275's, Practical Solutions Boost Module and Elbow, LFT Silencer Ring Eliminator, K&N, Straight Piped http://www.mudrunner.sites.cc

 

[Todd G]

At the college I attend we have an internship program that's great. There are many companies out there looking for people with little or no experience that will be in great demand once they get their diploma or certification. Some of the companies don't pay at all for interns but most pay at least something. The pay ain't great but you build valuable experience in the real world. Without experience, you will not be able to get a job after graduation. Believe me. I know. Go to the college and see what they have to offer.

 

[Champane Flight]

Internships are great,sometimes the colleges have jobs as grounds keepers or in food service.

I had a setback at my job a few years back and had to find part-time work for a spell. I knew of a small garage owner who needed help and told him the truth. Which was I only wanted part time employment and would give him 100% on the job. He had no problem putting me on for a few months. It was just enough to put me over the hump. He called me several times since asking me to come in for a Saturday. It is kinda hard to do when you work over 70hrs a week on your regular job.

But ,if you are honest with a employer,most of the time they will work with you. I would watch out for large companys with a hunk of rules and regs to limit your freedom to go to school .

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop. 72000 as of 3/1/01,not even broke in yet. Old Dodge 126000 miles and running better than new.

 

[Pogodually]

I used to hire student engineers on a work study program. The program was set up to work 1 term and back to school for the next term, and so on. Most school have a work - study programs set up to help you. See your school counselor. Another method is look for a contract company that market your skills. But, stay in school.

Good luck

 

[Wade Hogg]

Ah yes,

The Golden Dome of CC. Spent some time there myself. Who are you teachers in the program. Are you hitting it fulltime or just a couple of courses?

 

[Power Wagon]

Teachers are Greene, Sampson, Fowler, Watson, Esary, Fuhr, You.

Yes, full time. Hoping to get my Solaris Cert this fall/winter. Not a big fan of Solaris unix, but the cert would be helpful. Also, I'm pretty much taking every tech class but the Cisco prep. Don't really have a burning desire to be a Cisco guy. Not to mention, it's a 6 month long beat-your-brains-out study program to pass the CCNA test.