Not Hired Because of Your High Intelligence? Maybe
"Factoring out experience, wages, etc. Have you ever been rejected or you know someone who has because your/their intellect might be too good or perceived as problematic?"
The more than 250 replies tend to 1) Agree this happens and 2) Explain why that might be a pattern.
I second: This happens and frequently. I have experienced those smarter than I - even Mensa smart - get turned down for jobs and contract assignments. Overall, the reason seemed to be that they were obnoxious. Always running their mouths about what was wrong. What could be improved. Political stuff too. No one wanted to work with them.
One comment to the Reddit post reads:
"But I did get eliminated for asking too many thoughtful
questions. My recruiter straight up told me that they went with a candidate who
was less discerning of their internal dysfunction."
So, what are the other reasons given for rejecting the highly intelligent for income opportunities?
Flight risk. They won't stay. Perhaps it's boredom. Or it could be excess ambition. It could take up to six months for an employee to be fully productive. That investment is wasted is they soon leave.
Perceived as "overqualified." Usually this plays out because of listing all the academic degrees. Even the BA/BS could send the wrong message about your expectations in terms of compensation and treatment.
In 2003, when I needed a survival job I eliminated the MA, PhD from the resume. Also I deferred, shaking my head in agreement with what was said during the interview. I did not offer suggestions for any improvements. Yes, I was hired on-the-spot.
Overall low Emotional Intelligence. Although there is no respected research that the "C" students wind up the bosses of the "A" students there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that's the reality. While the "A" student were booking it, the "C" ones were developing their social skills.
There are exceptions, of course, partner at law firm Paul, Weiss Brad Karp graduated college and law school with honors. He has had myriad top leadership positions. Charm/calm is his signature.
It is interesting to note that in putting together his turnaround team at Chrysler Lee Iacocca poached the "B" players at Ford, not the "A" players.
Threat. Sure, they eventually could go after the boss' job. That's exactly what happened at a Big Oil corporation where I worked full-time. The hired manager was ever so helpful to the boss and made the power structure aware of how much of their help was needed. The boss was forced out.
America's anti-intellectual bent. In general there is a wariness about being in your head and not focused directly on visible means of productivity. In 1636 Harvard was founded for a very pragmatic reason: to train clergy. The Puritans weren't in the market for thought leaders.
In coaching, dating back to The Great Recession, I warn those needing to find paid work to size up what employers are looking for in the hiring process and give it to them. In sales, that's called "mirroring." This goes back to the 1950s classic on human relations by sociologist Erving Goffman. In "Presentation of Self in Everyday Life," he hammered that those with the most power control the situation. Employers have the power.
Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being
done in by the “committee” in your head.
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