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The Forum > Article Comments > Desperately seeking over-qualified job applicants > Comments

Desperately seeking over-qualified job applicants : Comments

By Tim O'Dwyer, published 25/3/2009

It’s hard to get good help. As I discovered last month when I advertised for a receptionist.

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You're lucky they didn't just Twitter their applications.
Posted by Clownfish, Wednesday, 25 March 2009 9:11:53 AM
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The last 2 positions I advertised were;
One for a storeman, which attracted only 2 applicants in 2 weeks, plus four people who offered something other than what I advertised for.
One for an administrative assistant, which attracted on less than 161 applications, many of whome were way over qualified.

I always found it best to get them young, train them, & never stop training them. While you kept them challenged with new duties they stayed happy, & efficient. The more you extended them, the happier they were. You should be prepared to pay for any courses they take, in line with their current, or projected work.

My office manager started as a phone order taker, & my sales manager started as a junior stores & assembly worker.

It was only when you had nowhere left for them to grow into, that they started making silly mistakes, & looking for another job.
Posted by Hasbeen, Wednesday, 25 March 2009 8:42:06 PM
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Reads like a fluff journalism piece - you got over 100 applicants and you think it's hard to find good help? How hard is it for those applicants to find a job? I feel for those people whose applications weren't scribed in the Queen's English, obviously they're of more humble upbringings than some and have actually submitted their own applications, what dummies. Look at the ages too. Those over qualified applicants are probably immigrants who have come here seeking a better life and found that despite possessing such high academic qualifications it's still tough getting feet in doors. Not all are born with red carpets to mosey on down you know.
Posted by HarryC, Thursday, 26 March 2009 1:30:39 AM
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What utter arrogance!
Believes in training?- but wants a blank slate to begin with, why not train an experienced person in your own needs? they may well bring talents and abilities, and a different perspective, that will enhance your business.
Too far away? Perhaps they assumed you'd take them moving as a given, as any sane person would? Bad English? training will solve that too, and it is far more a reflection of our education system than the applicants themselves, surely?
It all reminds me of the old joke about wanting a 16yr old with at least ten years of experience.
Posted by Maximillion, Saturday, 28 March 2009 12:23:11 AM
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In regard to the article from Tom, seeking a qualified employee and having received 161 applications, I would like to post my comments.
Even Bill Cosby would have said if only one person is laughing after the joke is told, it is probably NOT FUNNY. It certainly was not to the 160 applicants whom were not even considered for the posted positon. As an English-speaking migrant, I feel I am much more lucky that many migrants from non-English-speaking cultures. But, in saying that, I can tell you that my credentials were not transferrable from the good 'ole USA and finding employment with thirty years of training and experience is not easy. It would appear employers do not recognise anything that does not have Australian Certificate I, II, III or IV attached to it. Then I learn it is all about getting money from migrants because AU has little industry, the only income is in Tertiary Training. So we are unable to obtain employment, even if we are over-qualified, until we are down-graded by the Cert I, II, III, or IV or return to three to four years of University Study to obtain a degree here and then start as an entry level graduate. The Australian system needs to change to accept qualified persons migration skills. The joke is no longer funny...and I am not laughing!
Posted by Inew2town, Monday, 30 March 2009 12:22:24 PM
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