Delhi: A Google software engineer has taken the internet by storm after sharing an unusual rejection letter from a job application. Annu Sharma, a Delhi-based Google employee, posted on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that she was rejected by a startup for being “too good” for the role she applied for. The post quickly gained traction, accumulating over 55,000 views in just one day.
In the rejection letter, the recruiter explained the decision: “After reviewing your resume, we realized that your qualifications significantly exceed the requirements for this position. Our experience shows that candidates with higher qualifications often find the work unfulfilling and leave shortly after joining.”
Sharma’s reaction, “Didn’t know you could be rejected for being too good,” resonated with many users, sparking a broader conversation about job rejections for overqualification. Several users shared their own similar experiences.
“I was rejected recently, not for being overqualified but for attending a higher-ranked college. Even after I assured them I wouldn’t leave, they were firm on their decision,” one user commented.
Another shared, “I’ve been told three times in interviews that I’m overqualified, and they think I’ll leave within a few months.”
One user recounted, “I know someone who returned for a Master’s degree after 10 years of work experience. They applied for an entry-level position but were rejected for similar reasons. However, they were later hired for a senior developer role.”
The post also sparked appreciation for the recruiter’s transparency. “You have to respect their honesty. They could have made up an excuse but instead acknowledged that you were overqualified. That level of openness is rare,” noted one user.
Another user added, “It’s refreshing to receive an appreciation email instead of the usual generic rejection letter.”
Sharma’s post has highlighted a growing discussion about overqualification and how it impacts job seekers in today’s competitive market.