To track the latest trends, The Harris Poll, on behalf of Express Employment Professionals, conducts a biannual Job Seeker Report survey tracking job market trends across a wide range of industries. The report also features training, development and skills-building opportunities developed by Express to support job seekers in their career journeys. Discover more current job market trends, including flexibility in a shifting market and job security anxiety, in the Job Seeker Report.
Applying when you’re overqualified
Job seekers recognize employers may be doing a disservice by dismissing these candidates outright, as 81% report organizations miss out by rejecting overqualified candidates too quickly. In fact, 65% of job seekers said they have applied for roles for which they are themselves overqualified for reasons such as:
•The need for income – 59%
•Better work-life balance – 56%
•A passion for the industry – 41%
Most job seekers (87%) agree it’s appropriate to apply to jobs they’re overqualified for if it’s a position they want. From the hiring perspective, 70% of hiring managers say their company typically considers hiring candidates who are overqualified.
Key barriers to finding a job
•Lacking skills, such as hard skills, soft skills, AI skills and communication skills (43%)
•Companies claiming to be hiring, but are only collecting applicants/resumes to review (35%)
•Being overqualified (30%)
Job security
The most common offerings job seekers say would make them feel confident about their long-term job security at a company are:
•Training for employees taking on additional roles and responsibilities (41%)
•Clearer communications from senior leadership (41%)
•Access to cross-training or upskilling programs (38%)
This article appears in Capital City Jobs Spring 2026.
