Over the past two years, workers across the country have become all too acquainted with the concept of "settling." But, surprisingly enough, many employers have been less than thrilled to have PhD candidates applying to management positions and former CFOs managing small nonprofits.
It turns out, there's some science behind this overqualification-phobia. As the Times put it this weekend,
"conventional wisdom warns against hiring overqualified candidates [because they] often find themselves chafing at their new roles."
Fair enough. But it seems that, for some, "settling" has been working out just fine. The New York Times profiled several employees who have taken pay- and responsibility-cuts in the recession. Yet instead of "chafing" these workers are excelling in their new roles, going above and beyond the call of duty, and becoming huge assets to their respective employers.
Of course, it may be that they're not chafing because they've been frightened into silence by the prospect of bankruptcy. They may be excelling because they are terrified that their current employer will suffer a setback and lay them off. They may be going above and beyond because, well, you get the point.
Congratulations, capitalism, you've won again. Workers of the world, don't unite; just settle.
Of course, it may be that they're not chafing because they've been frightened into silence by the prospect of bankruptcy. They may be excelling because they are terrified that their current employer will suffer a setback and lay them off. They may be going above and beyond because, well, you get the point.
Congratulations, capitalism, you've won again. Workers of the world, don't unite; just settle.
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