Author: JAM Aiwuyor

By Mr. Dapper

I can relate to this first-hand, I have been to a couple interviews where i was told i was over-qualified. I initially thought it was some lame excuse to get me out of their office but looking at my interviews i knew i did too  well to not have made the job. Fine, i wore a dress shirt, and pants, tie, oxford shoes for an interview for a fast food restaurant (can’t remember the name). I thought everyone (at least assuming every one is civil) had to follow that dress code for an interview. That was my first taste of lesson 103 in life: “Life isn’t fair, some people are stupid and unfortunately sometimes these folks possess something you want, in order to get it you must use their stupidity – not fair but logical”. Also i was 16 then, cmon gimme a break. Moreover the employer gave me a card and referred me to a better paying job and told me to use him as a reference. Jackpot! If i knew i woulda worn a pair of sneaks and jeans…but back to the topic. Over-qualification. Asides my restaurant interview i’ve had a few instances of being ‘overqualified’. Being overqualified isn’t a bad thing, matter of fact it’s a praise and maybe a wake up call to you that you deserve more than you’re offering yourself. The company feels that someone with your qualification needs more compensation, etc. Orgs are looking to get a candidate who ‘fits’ the requirements but not necessarily exceed them. The company can see this as a threat and that you might be using them as a stepping stone. The bottom line as the guys at resume blog said is “Overqualified” is a disguise it has nothing to do with your qualifications, knowledge, or talent. It’s a catch-all phrase used to avoid being candid because the company has fears about hiring you or saw or heard something they simply did not like. They view hiring you as a RISK.

When an interviewer makes this statement, it basically means they think you have too many years of experience, you want too much money, your education is more than what is required, or they see the job as being a step down from where you are now in your career and are afraid you will jump ship.

Because they view hiring you as a RISK, you will need to break down the walls and overcome their “fear.” Find out what they mean, drill down and find out the real reason they make this statement. Then eliminate their fear. Do the best you can to find the source of this statement.

Well, here are some comebacks whenever you’re told you are OVER-qualified for the job – knowing fully well you can handle the job PERFECTLY

1. Plain ask, (in a polite way, of course) what’s wrong with doing the job better than expected?
2. Refute being labeled as OVER-qualified and tell the employer you’d rather say you are FULLY qualified.
3. Use the employer’s job description on them: ex if a job requires someone with managerial skills and you happen to be ‘over-qualified’ simply tell the interviewer that with you, you would require less man-power, office time and resources to train and prepare you for managerial duties. You can handle many more tasks than the just “fit” candidate can.
4. Let the employer know you are looking for a more ‘challenging’ job and that this job suits your neeeds and desires (*insert one of the job requirements here* ex: working with people etc)
5. Hone down the light on your pay. Of course, in a recession my major concern is the pay however in order to GET the job first, I must play card. So, in your interview try not to make very big obvious highlights on pay. You and your interviewer are both playing tact games, so play your part right,
6. When the word over qualified is used on you, expand it and try to break down the big word into simpler terms. Eg. “you are overqualified”…your response: “O i understand,  i have the skills required to for this position and more that i have garnered through experience and working *insert job req. eg one-on-one/team*, would you be willing to contact me should an appropriate position be available?
7. All you do, try and break it down to the REAL reason why you are not being hired. Watch for body language, silent cues etc but don’t get paranoid.
8. Lastly,  Deliver. All talk and no work makes jack a bluffer. That’s right, you’ve gotta back it up once you land the job. I’m guilty of this sometimes so i know how important it is.

Making the Case For Digital Activism: How Social Media Helps Causes by Jessica Ann Mitchell

The recent Troy Davis case sparked a firestorm of digital outcries. Online protests were launched along with online petitions. Amnesty International collected over 630,000 signatures in support of Davis. Twitter and Facebook were both taken over by hashtags and updates. Millions of people were discussing the case and educating others about it. The Davis case truly became an online phenomenon. Over 40,000 people tuned into Democracy Now’s live stream of the vigil held outside of the Georgia prison that was holding Davis. For many, this was the first time they’d even heard of Democracy Now, a progressive independent source of news. The live stream went viral on Twitter and Amy Goodman was trending worldwide.
During this time period, Davis supporters became a complete digital community in their own right. Many were desperately hoping for Davis to live. Unfortunately, our requests and pleas were denied. This was truly a heartbreaking moment for us all. However, not more than 24 hours after the death of Troy Davis, digital activism naysayers were on the prowl. These naysayers had a clear message, “Digital activism doesn’t work.” The main reason they believe it doesn’t work is because with all of our prayers and protesting, Troy Davis was still killed by the state of Georgia.

Though Davis’ death is a heartbreaking fact, we cannot allow ourselves to sulk in the negativity of, “I told you so,” and “I knew it wouldn’t work.” Truth be told, the reason that Troy Davis died is because Georgia is still a predominantly racist and oppressive state. As a Georgia girl, I know what its like to live in the backwoods of the KKK’s resting den.

However, saying that digital activism doesn’t work is an outright lie founded in lethargic negativity and ignorance of the power of ordinary people. Public support through online petitions and social media outreach played a vital role in making members of the public aware of the injustices occurring. Even though Davis was executed, that doesn’t mean that all of our efforts have gone to waste.

Now the racial discrepancies surrounding the death penalty in the U.S. are becoming more widely addressed. It could even lead to a movement to abolish the death penalty. This case will forever shed light on the prison industrial complex and the death of black men within it. The death penalty debate is now facing a rebirth. Especially after the world witnessed what was essentially a lynching.
In these cases, yes, our voting rights play a vital role in making societal changes. However, before we can vote to make these changes, we must find a means to inform and reach members of the public. The digital era has afforded us the opportunity to distribute this information rapidly.

Digital outcries, protests and petitions are a highly effective means for change. Organizations like ColorOfChange.org have already proved that with their ability to garner public support (much of it digital) in support of the Jena 6, ending Glenn Beck’s televised hate mongering and pressuring the state of Georgia to free Genarlow Wilson. Another organization, Change.org was vital in sustaining a digital campaign that resulted in clemency for a young African American mother convicted of a felony for sending her children to a school outside of their district.

Countless blogs, news articles, Tweets, and Facebook updates by millions of ordinary people around the world also supported these digital campaigns for justice. So you see, digital activism does work. Sometimes when things don’t go the way we want them to go, it’s easy to allow negativity to take control. However, it takes true power and strength to continue pushing on for justice. We have to push for our humanity, “…by any means necessary,” as Malcolm X once stated. Right now the digital era provides a means that presents us with a plethora of opportunities.

In the 1960s, when a small group of students in North Carolina began sit-ins in all white restaurants and a young Baptist preacher was gathering people for marches, it was understood that civil rights wouldn’t magically appear the next day. What they were doing was a start. When things didn’t change immediately there were naysayers saying, “It will never work, “ and “It’s a waste of time.” I’m glad they kept marching instead of succumbing to unproductive negativity.
In 2011, it is time for us to uphold this legacy. With the help of countless organizations and ordinary people the struggle for human rights and freedom continues… And its going digital.

Love, Jessica Ann Mitchell – The Little Black Girl

Jessica Ann Mitchell is the founder of Black Bloggers Connect an entity of Lamzu Media. Mitchell specializes in multicultural outreach and communications. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at info@OurLegaci.com.

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