Can you have too much experience? What does ‘over qualified’ really mean? Often, it has been a nonsense and veiled excuse from some of our clients and industry professionals to say, they are too old. Naturally, age is a discrimination category and one has to be careful what they say and how they say it. However, it does come up. It’s safe (and legal) to just say, this is a good resume, we like them, but I think they are a bit ‘over qualified.’
Again – I ask….what does that mean? Shouldn’t that be a good thing? You get an experienced, mature, exposed, aware and capable person to help you manage a team and get things done.
Getting it done….isn’t that the objective? Yes, but getting it done efficiently and with someone directing the process in an effective, low maintenance way should be the end result. The best way to accomplish that………..experience and substance.
Experience generally is indicative of someone with a strong background and depth. There is a practicality that you can get with that kind of hire. It becomes the foundation of the department you are building.
Naturally, the more experience one has, with exception, the better qualified to do the job. Hiring someone that is ‘over qualified’ will reduce the pain of transition, speed up process development and reduce the learning curve. Experienced people manage well, know how to take ownership and make good intuitive decisions.
Older should not scare someone. Quite the contrary, we should embrace that within ourselves as well as those that we are considering as a new hire. Youth has its place but so does experience. Experience teaches. Lack of experience learns.
If I am looking for someone on my team to manage process, manage workflow, manage people, manage time and get me results…I want someone that is over qualified.