Manage Your Company With a Qualified Manager

Are you going to jump at an offer the exceeds your expectations for the same price? Putting this in the business scenario, let’s say your outsourcing vendor offers to staff your team with only level 2 agents if you renew your contract for another year. And the (good) thing is that your team is getting a combination of level 1 and level 2 agents at the moment. The vendor’s offer comes at the same price. Should you go for it?

You would apparently say that the best thing to do is accept the improvement, especially because it wouldn’t cost you more. But some managers are actually reluctant to hire people who have more talent and experience than what the job requires even if they can get them for the same price. These kinds of workers are termed as “overqualified workers”- they have a more extensive and impressive resume than what the manager expects. Typically, HR screens out resumes of overqualified candidates and they never make it to hiring manager’s desk. This is clearly a disadvantage to the willing applicant, and even to the company as well. Such candidates would never have the opportunity to prove that they are the best fit for the job and the manager might end up passing up somebody who could have done the job well right from day one. Instead, they hire a less qualified worker and spend more resources for training.

Nonetheless, there are managers that do no like to hire overqualified workers. Here are some reasons, some valid and some not in certain cases.

Reasons Why Managers Don’t Hire Overqualified Workers

It’s more expensive. Employees with above level skills know how much they can contribute, that’s why they would sometimes ask for a higher salary.

They’re hard to train. Workers with more skills and experience might want to do things their own way than stick to usual office proceedings. Make this clear during the interview process. Ask them if they’re amenable and adjusting to your culture. Dump the candidate if he/she insists doing things their way. However, if they say they can offer valuable suggestions while at the same time keep to company rules, then it’s okay.

They will be bored. Being more skilled and experienced, working could become less challenging for them, and eventually boring.

They might leave when things improve. This is a possibility for both regular and overqualified workers, though. The management then should make means to make employees feel appreciated and motivated so they will stay with the company.

As recently as 2007 the UK was suffering from relatively low levels of management qualifications amongst business leaders. Compared to other professions, managers are among the least qualified with 41% of managers holding less than a level 2 qualification and just 38.5% having a level 4 qualification or above.

This dearth of management qualifications is a great opportunity for those with a little business nous to make a big impact in the corporate world. The majority (74%) of employers have stated that they really respect and value MBAs (Master of Business Administration) and those with academic business management qualifications are considered much more likely to get ahead, increase their earning potential and productivity, and develop a substantial professional reputation.

Yet MBAs are not the only management qualifications available. There are many different ways to get these types of qualifications, from academic degrees to vocational training, but which type is best? Which is right for you, and which will further your career the most? Read our quick break-down here:

Academic Qualifications:

Foundation degrees, Bachelor degrees, Masters, Doctorates

Academic degrees are better respected in corporate circles. MBAs are the best known academic management qualifications and are highly regarded and valued by 74% of employers. Academic qualifications tend to be more theoretical than practical, which will allow you to become a far more self-analytical and perceptive manager. If you are hoping to find a job and enjoy swift career progression after completing a management qualification then an academic management qualification might be right for you.

However, for those who are more practically minded and do not have the time or money for a long degree, shorter, more practical and more flexible courses might be more suitable.

Professional Qualifications:

Certificates, Diplomas, ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) awards

Although diplomas are often carried out through further and higher education colleges, they are usually shorter than degrees and are often a little more straightforward and introductory. A diploma may be a good way to introduce yourself to the world of business and can be an excellent stepping stone towards an MBA. If you are uncertain about your academic capabilities, professional qualifications will help you feel more confident in your abilities before you take the plunge for real.

Vocational Qualifications:

S/NVQs, VRQs, NVQs

If you are not academically-minded but learn well by putting concepts to practical use, vocational qualifications might be right for you. Vocational management qualifications combine all the key concepts associated with managing a business, but teach these concepts in hands-on practical ways.

Although professional and vocational qualifications are not as highly regarded as academic qualifications, this is generally due to a certain level of snobbery and a lack of understanding about the benefits and merits of vocational training.