Overqualified

Overqualified is a word that I hate.  Ever since I started applying for jobs, I've been told that I was overqualified.  I didn't apply for a job directly after high school.  That's because I spent the end of my senior year and my summer applying for and getting ready for college.

I started applying for jobs when I was in college because I wanted to make more than I was making in my work-study job.  This is when I started hearing the word "overqualified."

How could I possibly overqualified if I had no work experience, but they were supposed to count schooling?   I could never understand the employers.  When I was in college, I was obviously younger and I could even get up to go faster and some further distances than I can now.  My back wasn't feeling as bad as it does on some days that it does now.  I didn't use a transport wheelchair at all  (I still prefer NOT using it when I don't need it, but sometimes my back is so sore that I need it.  Also, my legs aren't great - genetics - so I can't do anything about it).  Anyway,  things were more like employers would have wanted them.

The restaurants would tell me that I was overqualified to work at them.  I went to temp job places and took the tests at them. They never said anything, but they'd tell me that I didn't qualify for their type of work.

My mom says it is the "Conchis Curse."  (Her maiden last name is Conchis.)  I may be her daughter, but I am NOT a Conchis and I DO NOT believe in curses.  Believing in them only furthers them and makes things worse.

I know that overqualified is a real word.  Merriam-Webster even defines it as, "having more education, training, or experience than a job calls for."


Their example sentence is even, "They didn't hire her because she was overqualified for the job."


It says that the first known usage of "overqualified" is from 1954.


However, I don't think there should be a word such as "overqualified."  At least, if the word exists, it shouldn't be allowed for hiring people.  


If a person is overqualified for a job, the person is obviously qualified!  They have the qualifications and more!  It shouldn't be a penalty!


I'm sure that sometimes the word is used to mean, "You don't have the physical qualities that we want for our workers, so you can't work here."  I know it is stupid and it truly isn't legal, but I'm sure that is what some of the people who are hiring are really  basing a decision on when they use the word "overqualified."


I know that others use it in the way that it is meant because the first interview was over the phone.


I hate the word overqualified.  It's been a bane in my life ever since I started hearing it. 


What are some words that you hate?