Hiring over-qualified personnel often is an issue!

A new study from Florida Atlantic University concludes that hiring over-qualified personnel is bad for business.

Personnel turnovers are expensive and time-consuming. In the coming weeks, we will focus on the topic and propose a few different solutions to the problem.

The first key: Be aware of the issues with an over-qualified staff.

The job market is overflowing with over-qualified applicants and hiring. Universities produce more highly skilled candidates than ever, but their extended set of skills are not necessarily required by the market. That pushes competent workers to apply for jobs that would normally be below their level. So, what is the problem? Why would I not hire the ones with the most qualifications?

Well… While overqualified employees might be more independent, creative and innovative in their approach to task crafting, the latest research shows that they can also be damaging and counterproductive for your business. If you want to avoid expensive turnovers, it might be good to have in mind next time you sign an employment agreement on Contractbook.

A new meta-analysis from Florida Atlantic University synthesizing 25 years of research on over-qualification shows that employees who perceive themselves as big fishes in a small pond will be uncommitted to organization and more unsatisfied with their jobs. The study even concludes that over-qualified employees may be more prone to engage in deviant behavior such as coming in late or bullying co-workers.

That said, overqualified candidates can be a major asset for your business if you are able to nurse and motivate them by maintaining their positive self-image. You shall keep in mind that they need rewards and acknowledgment for their ideas as well as room for growth such as promotional opportunities.

Michael Harari, Assistant Professor on the study, explains in a statement,

“There’s a discrepancy between expectation and reality. Because of this, you’re angry, you’re frustrated and as a result you don’t care much for the job you have and feel unsatisfied.”

According to the Harari and his colleagues, overqualified employees are also more likely to experience psychological strain such as stress if they feel unrewarded and unappreciated, “We invest effort at work and we expect rewards in return, such as esteem and career opportunities”, Harari explains. It could lead to stress and poor psychological well-being if that expectation is being violated.

Hiring the right people for your business does not mean hiring those with most qualifications. It means hiring those with the right qualifications.

Originally posted on:
https://hello.contractbook.co/blog/hiring-overqualified-personnel/