The Myth of the Overqualified Ph.D.?

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The discussion centers on the perception that having a Ph.D. can hinder job prospects due to being considered overqualified. Some participants share personal experiences where Ph.D. candidates were rejected for positions because employers feared they would become bored or leave for better opportunities. Others argue that while being overqualified can be a concern, it often relates more to the candidate's fit and motivation than their qualifications alone. The conversation also highlights the low unemployment rate among Ph.D. holders, suggesting that while overqualification may be a barrier, it does not reflect the overall job market for advanced degree holders. Ultimately, the complexities of hiring decisions reveal that motivation and alignment with job expectations are critical factors in the hiring process.
  • #31
chingkui said:
People would actually do that?
I worked for a supplier of engineered fabrics to the pulp and paper industry. Everybody in that field knows everybody else, and there is often no love lost between competitors. So yes. I hadn't told my boss that I was taking an interview, so he couldn't have told his boss (the company's sales manager). I assume that the sales manager of the company that offered me the position called his old nemesis (and former co-worker in the field) and crowed about hiring me away. It might have been more subtle, but it happened SO fast that I doubt it. I never asked my new boss how my old sales manager found out - the cat was out of the bag, anyway.
 

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