overqualified

adjective

over·​qual·​i·​fied ˌō-vər-ˈkwä-lə-ˌfīd 

: having more education, training, or experience than a job calls for

Examples of overqualified in a Sentence

They didn't hire her because she was overqualified for the job.

Recent Examples on the Web

Social media is rife with cautionary tales, such as frustrated job seekers submitting hundreds of applications with no callbacks and overqualified candidates applying in droves for entry-level positions. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025

There's apprehension about potential scenarios where the overqualified candidate could disrupt team dynamics, challenge existing processes or ultimately seek to advance beyond their current role. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

However, grads might have better luck pivoting into trade jobs and making peace with being overqualified and in debt than pining for the dream corporate job. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025

Also more staff who are way overqualified to have these jobs. —Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overqualified

• acetaldehyde
• acetanilide
• arabinoside
• cycloheximide
• cyclophosphamide
• diethylamide
• dinucleotide
• ferricyanide
• ferrocyanide
• glutaraldehyde
• glyceraldehyde
• hydroperoxide