donshegzy:
Guys, I’m back again. Please help as I’m second guessing this.

So, I had a second stage interview with a company recently. During this interview, the interviewer noted that I am overqualified for the job role and mentioned two other senior roles - asking which I’d love to go for.

I explained that I wasn’t sure if those roles were available within the company as I’d applied for the one available. But I won’t mind taking the more senior role as I could double down and do the junior role when there’s shortage/an extra hand is needed.

He also asked about the salary expectations and I told him I understood the salary offered for the junior position but won’t name a figure since he’s asked about a more senior role (was trying to play it smart make he no go give me junior salary for senior role - if considered).

I’ve read something about people being rejected for being overqualified for roles.

I guess my question is, is this really much of a dealbreaker? (I know it’s their decision but your advise could help for later needs)

Recruitment and selection is largely, repeat largely subjective.
Someone might tick all the boxes in terms of skills and experience and they still don't want you.
Others might not tick all boxes and sail through. Don't worry about being overqualified - if they dont want you they'll not take you. I was overqualified for my first role in this country, they took me. I moved on eventually.

Regarding the italicised, never make such suggestions to increase potential workloads.

LagosismyHome:


Is this Nigeria or UK?..... because UK taking leave is part of their culture. Very odd for me to hear read the room ontop time off.

Are sure some of these are not presumption brought from abroad. Do you think a born and breed British will blink and not take time off that has been earned because its probation. As long as you have accrued it , its your entitlement. I have also managed several people under me. As long as they have that entitlement or there is adequate coverage while would anyone manager be bothered

Work is not slavery and what you describe up is toxic abeg

A colleague who is just about a month took medical off last week and some days ago she wrote on the team chat that she’s logging off to take her aunt to the hospital due to health emergency. We all wrote on the chat that she should take care and be calm that everything will be fine.

I have only spent 2years here and one of my biggest learning is that your family should ALWAYS come first. I have seen two managers resign for unfair treatment in two different companies. In both cases the reasons from the company n owners was same “ It’s not personal”. And these are hard working staff who gave their time and everything to the company. One of them did not go for leave in the last 2yrs just to keep the business running after the covid loss.

Chreze:


A colleague who is just about a month took medical off last week and some days ago she wrote on the team chat that she’s logging off to take her aunt to the hospital due to health emergency. We all wrote on the chat that she should take care and be calm that everything will be fine.

I have only spent 2years here and one of my biggest learning is that your family should ALWAYS come first. I have seen two managers resign for unfair treatment in two different companies. In both cases the reasons from the company n owners was same “ It’s not personal”. And these are hard working staff who gave their time and everything to the company. One of them did not go for leave in the last 2yrs just to keep the business running after the covid loss.

You are right.... family comes first.

LagosismyHome:


Is this Nigeria or UK?..... because UK taking leave is part of their culture. Very odd for me to hear read the room ontop time off.

Are sure some of these are not presumption brought from abroad. Do you think a born and breed British will blink and not take time off that has been earned because its probation. As long as you have accrued it , its your entitlement. I have also managed several people under me. As long as they have that entitlement or there is adequate coverage while would anyone manager be bothered

Work is not slavery and what you describe up is toxic abeg

I am talking from UK experience and as a IT Professional who has over 15+ years working in corporate London. As I said, it would be wise to read the room and the sort of environment one is in before deciding to exercise any rights during a probationary period. I mean they could have hired you to fill a staff shortage and the next thing you are off on annual leave which they also have to pay for as well as pay agency staff in your absence. As I said it is not a good look. Again shine your eyes and read the room.

A bereavement can occur unexpectedly but anyone on a probationary period really needs to weigh up the consequences of taking a substantial amount of time off to attend to that bereavement because as I said, although you are legally allowed, if the powers that be decide that you aren't reliable enough to keep on then it is curtains down for you.
Never make assumptions based on the law because there are always loopholes. Company's have probationary periods for a reason.

@Koonbey

I presume you informed your employers of your impending holiday and so they were able to make allowances and prep for that as that is something they normally ask about at the interview stage.

Thank you. I’ll remember this!

TheGuyFromHR:


Recruitment and selection is largely, repeat largely subjective.
Someone might tick all the boxes in terms of skills and experience and they still don't want you.
Others might not tick all boxes and sail through. Don't worry about being overqualified - if they dont want you they'll not take you. I was overqualified for my first role in this country, they took me. I moved on eventually.

Regarding the italicised, never make such suggestions to increase potential workloads.

Chreze:


A colleague who is just about a month took medical off last week and some days ago she wrote on the team chat that she’s logging off to take her aunt to the hospital due to health emergency. We all wrote on the chat that she should take care and be calm that everything will be fine.

I have only spent 2years here and one of my biggest learning is that your family should ALWAYS come first. I have seen two managers resign for unfair treatment in two different companies. In both cases the reasons from the company n owners was same “ It’s not personal”. And these are hard working staff who gave their time and everything to the company. One of them did not go for leave in the last 2yrs just to keep the business running after the covid loss.

Yes..i doubt the colleague was on a probationary period and had some sort of 'muscle' to flex within the company.

donshegzy:
Thank you so much. I just needed to hear it from someone else.

Also, thanks for the huge advice in the later part of your post. I’ve been a little skeptical because some interviewers have been a little bit dismissive of my US experience (stating it’s not native to the UK). But surely, some see the synergy and I’ll punch up for more senior roles.

Your US experience is more than valid. I wish you all the best in your search.

bigtt76:
Nothing really but if you have your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) it means that you're not on the leash of any employer who sponsored your work visa and so you can travel as much as you want. But in a case where you are sponsored for the work visa and you've not clocked a year on the visa but you want to leave work to travel for an occasion that can be avoided, then you stand the risk of your employer feeling unsatisfied with your employment.

Lol you missed the sarcasm in the person’s question. Also this mentality is very flawed. Because you don’t have ILR, you want to relinquish your rights as an employee?? Even with a Tier 2 visa, there is no leash, you are free to leave as you please or utilise your leave; It’s not slavery please. Know your rights and know peace.

Hello all

Please hope there is no issue if a student dependent returns to nigeria after getting brp, and visits his wife (student) like every 2 - 3 months.

Thanks

nodetest:
Hello all

Please hope there is no issue if a student dependent returns to nigeria after getting brp, and visits his wife (student) like every 2 - 3 months.

Thanks

Doesn't matter. Time spent outside will be more important if she switches to a skilled worker visa though, as then you'll only be allowed no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months.

Solumtoya:
One more thing, please forgive my too much talk.

Please open a Lifetime ISA, and fund it with at least £1. Do it now and I will try and explain.

CONS: You can't take your money out of it without a 25% penalty unless you're retiring or paying for your first home or leaving the Country permanently, I think

PROS: Government gives you a 25% bonus up to £4,000 contribution. So if a Husband and wife put £4k each in March, they get £2k. If they put another £4k each in May (which is a new year), they get another £2k. So, in a space of few months, they just got £4,000 that they can use for their first home or retirement. Depending on your provider, you might even get more interests outside the 25%.

Now, why I say you should open it NOW: You can't use funds from your LISA for your first home if the account has not been active for up to 1 year. So if you wait and start your LISA few months before your house purchase, you can't use the funds cos it won't be up to a year.

You don't risk so much, which is why I said put £1 or more and don't wait till you "haff balance" so the 1 year starts counting. Secondly, even if you change your mind and want your money back, the 25% penalty is almost the same 25% the Government gave you, remember? Of course it's more (Mathematics).

Quick question here. Do you get the 25% every year or for the first year only.

donshegzy:
Thank you so much. I just needed to hear it from someone else.

Also, thanks for the huge advice in the later part of your post. I’ve been a little skeptical because some interviewers have been a little bit dismissive of my US experience (stating it’s not native to the UK). But surely, some see the synergy and I’ll punch up for more senior roles.

Just continue , the right opportunity will click and come. When I moved to the UK, I came with US experience and kept hearing we looking for UK experience, but I continued because I have to eat..lol

However after 3 months it was even a US company in the UK that I got the so called
UK experience and worked 6 months and started looking again, my phones won't stop ringing . I was like wow , wasn't this the cv you all were rejecting just 6 months ago. I got like 4 great offers in 2 months , 6 months previous it was one offer after how many applications

The rest they say is history 15 years later .....

bigtt76:
Nothing really but if you have your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) it means that you're not on the leash of any employer who sponsored your work visa and so you can travel as much as you want. But in a case where you are sponsored for the work visa and you've not clocked a year on the visa but you want to leave work to travel for an occasion that can be avoided, then you stand the risk of your employer feeling unsatisfied with your employment .

Thanks for your response.
I don't believe it should have an effect one way or the other as in an ideal situation, the employer is expected to be reasonable and this event is a funeral. Having ILR does not mean you can travel as much as you want except if it is within the limits of your organisation or if does not adversely affect business conduct.
If the employer feels unsatisfied with your emplyment, it won't be because you took time off to attend a funeral, especially if it is part of your leave entitlement or within your contract and you are not spending extended periods away.

Also, going by her enquiry, her spouse has ILR so she may not be tied to the employer.
Again, thanks for responding, I just could think of any difference that's why I asked.

Chreze:


You don’t have to take offence all the time. I never said your take was irrelevant. It was the line I said was irrelevant. I purposely did not dwell on your post as it wasn’t the issue, but since you want to talk, I will just go ahead and tell you. It’s not cool to make negative comment about people’s spouse. Especially when the issue is something serious. Everything no be play. Imagine if the OP use that your line when discussing it with her husband, tell me what the response from her husband will be. You can tell from OP’s post that there is a little sprinkle of something else on it, but that’s not our business, you will just respond to her question and advice her like your sister or brothers wife. Shikina.

I honestly don’t want to indulge you by replying but since you quoting me and already giving labels to my take, I had to set the record straight.
The UK as we know it is a very conservative society and they gladly carry that label at any given opportunity, even celebrating centuries old tradition.
That someone is ‘living and breathing’ a particular place or thing is a negative comment to you.

I wish you well

Have you done this recently?

Most international platforms (Revolut, Wise inclusive) don't accept Nigerian cards again.

bigtt76:
Use your GTBank card to fund your Revolut or Monzo and transfer the funds to your other bank account

Ooh wow, even if its a domiciliary card? I've not tried it though cos I don't have a dom card.

lightnlife:
Have you done this recently?

Most international platforms (Revolut, Wise inclusive) don't accept Nigerian cards again.

donshegzy:
Guys, I’m back again. Please help as I’m second guessing this.

So, I had a second stage interview with a company recently. During this interview, the interviewer noted that I am overqualified for the job role and mentioned two other senior roles - asking which I’d love to go for.

I explained that I wasn’t sure if those roles were available within the company as I’d applied for the one available. But I won’t mind taking the more senior role as I could double down and do the junior role when there’s shortage/an extra hand is needed.

He also asked about the salary expectations and I told him I understood the salary offered for the junior position but won’t name a figure since he’s asked about a more senior role (was trying to play it smart make he no go give me junior salary for senior role - if considered).

I’ve read something about people being rejected for being overqualified for roles.

I guess my question is, is this really much of a dealbreaker? (I know it’s their decision but your advise could help for later needs)

So far, you have been smart about your response, you can only hope for the best.

Meanwhile, always ensure you do a detailed research on pay, it’s part of the deal (you can get a good pay based on your negotiating skill) here; unlike in 9ja that the question usually has no impact.

Amarathripple0:

Lol you missed the sarcasm in the person’s question. Also this mentality is very flawed. Because you don’t have ILR, you want to relinquish your rights as an employee?? Even with a Tier 2 visa, there is no leash, you are free to leave as you please or utilise your leave; It’s not slavery please. Know your rights and know peace.

Some employers take advantage of people on Tier 2 and some employees are not in a position to prevent their being taken advantage of.

Gemma11:


Noted.

Speaking from experience, in my old company it was unheard of for someone to go on annual leave during their probationary period. Even if it was the employee's right to do so, it wasn't a good look.

You are on probation - which means one should be doing everything they can to impress their employer in terms of attendence, output and meeting all objectives

Does excercising your right take annual leave during probation actually give the employer the impression that you are actually committed to the job?

In the probabtionary period you don't have the same employee rights as other long term employees they don't need an excuse to let you go as well so even if they felt obligated to allow annual leave.

That is why I always say "Read the room". They will smile in your face and say it is ok but are they really? Or are you just giving them amunition to use against you later in an underhanded way.

That’s exactly one of the angles I considered when I replied the Op but what do I know?

Gemma11:


I am talking from UK experience and as a IT Professional who has over 15+ years working in corporate London. As I said, it would be wise to read the room and the sort of environment one is in before deciding to exercise any rights during a probationary period. I mean they could have hired you to fill a staff shortage and the next thing you are off on annual leave which they also have to pay for as well as pay agency staff in your absence. As I said it is not a good look. Again shine your eyes and read the room.

A bereavement can occur unexpectedly but anyone on a probationary period really needs to weigh up the consequences of taking a substantial amount of time off to attend to that bereavement because as I said, although you are legally allowed, if the powers that be decide that you aren't reliable enough to keep on then it is curtains down for you.
Never make assumptions based on the law because there are always loopholes. Company's have probationary periods for a reason.

@Koonbey

I presume you informed your employers of your impending holiday and so they were able to make allowances and prep for that as that is something they normally ask about at the interview stage.

You have said it all, say less so as not to sound cliché

FG says Nigerians abroad with expired passports can return back
The Nigerian Immigration Service has revealed that Nigerians with expired Nigerian passports can still return to Nigeria during the holidays as Nigerians do not need a visa to enter Nigeria.Those with dual citizenship are free to come to Nigeria but with their Nigerian passport even if it is expired. They must show their expired Nigerian passport to ensure they were truly from the country.

https://nairametrics.com/2022/11/23/fg-says-nigerians-with-expired-passports-can-return/

bigtt76:
Nothing really but if you have your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) it means that you're not on the leash of any employer who sponsored your work visa and so you can travel as much as you want. But in a case where you are sponsored for the work visa and you've not clocked a year on the visa but you want to leave work to travel for an occasion that can be avoided, then you stand the risk of your employer feeling unsatisfied with your employment.

Nice one, some don’t know that reality / work environment is a totally different ball game to theory even in saner climes.

TheGuyFromHR:


Some employers take advantage of people on Tier 2 and some employees are not in a position to prevent their being taken advantage of.

True, it’s a sad reality but the good thing is, if the employment is not illegal, you could always leave to a new job. Not so easy for some but it’s doable.

Thank you.

As for the salary expectation, I do know what the senior roles command but I believe I should wait until an offer is made before negotiating the heck out of it.

This nairaland thread has been of great help. Happy to be a part of here.

AlphaUno:



So far, you have been smart about your response, you can only hope for the best.

Meanwhile, always ensure you do a detailed research on pay, it’s part of the deal (you can get a good pay based on your negotiating skill) here; unlike in 9ja that the question usually has no impact.

This is perhaps the most relatable post I’ve read today. It mirrors my current experience and it’s good knowing someone else experienced it.

I’ll surely be back to update the house.

Thank you all for the help. You guys are the best. God bless you all and your endeavours.

LagosismyHome:


Just continue , the right opportunity will click and come. When I moved to the UK, I came with US experience and kept hearing we looking for UK experience, but I continued because I have to eat..lol

However after 3 months it was even a US company in the UK that I got the so called
UK experience and worked 6 months and started looking again, my phones won't stop ringing . I was like wow , wasn't this the cv you all were rejecting just 6 months ago. I got like 4 great offers in 2 months , 6 months previous it was one offer after how many applications

The rest they say is history 15 years later .....

Yes, even with dom accounts. Used to work but not anymore.

Disturbing how Nigeria is shutting itself out of the global party.

bigtt76:
Ooh wow, even if its a domiciliary card? I've not tried it though cos I don't have a dom card.

Gemma11:


Noted.

Speaking from experience, in my old company it was unheard of for someone to go on annual leave during their probationary period. Even if it was the employee's right to do so, it wasn't a good look.

You are on probation - which means one should be doing everything they can to impress their employer in terms of attendence, output and meeting all objectives

Does excercising your right take annual leave during probation actually give the employer the impression that you are actually committed to the job?

In the probabtionary period you don't have the same employee rights as other long term employees they don't need an excuse to let you go as well so even if they felt obligated to allow annual leave.

That is why I always say "Read the room". They will smile in your face and say it is ok but are they really? Or are you just giving them amunition to use against you later in an underhanded way.

If I was an employer, that a staff is scared to take time off (if needed) in times of bereavement would worry me.
If it gets out in her office that the only reason she didn't attend the burial of a relative (if truly she wanted to) was because of work, it'd shine quite badly on her.

Except we're talking of a super competitive high profile job. Even at that, most employers would easily oblige.

Gemma11:


Yes..i doubt the colleague was on a probationary period and had some sort of 'muscle' to flex within the company.

6 months probationary periods. And I don’t think there is anything special. The company rule is inform your manager of any emergency. We can all tell that’s an emergency. I believe she will only be paid for the hours worked and that’s if my boss reports it, else, getting full day pay as it most likely have been entered on the time sheet before the emergency.

Crazy

lightnlife:
Yes, even with dom accounts. Used to work but not anymore.

Disturbing how Nigeria is shutting itself out of the global party.

jedisco:


If I was an employer, that a staff is scared to take time off (if needed) in times of bereavement would worry me.
If it gets out in her office that the only reason she didn't attend the burial of a relative (if truly she wanted to) was because of work, it'd shine quite badly on her.

Except we're talking of a super competitive high profile job. Even at that, most employers would easily oblige.

Honestly, I would also be worried. But to be honest, from the gist I’ve seen on this platform, I believe these care homes do not give a hoot. Not sure if OP works for a care home but if that’s the case, it’s to just pray that her employer at least has a heart.

Let me share my experience on probation and annual leave/bereavement.

I'm barely 3 months into my first job in this UK. Currently on a six-month probation but I have a pro-rated annual leave just before my company's calender year reset.

Given my Naija experience, I literally saw the probation-phase leave allowance as a bait So, I wasn't going to use any as per sharp Nigerian. However, I noticed my british-born colleagues had almost used up the leave even at the induction phase. Life sweet.

Long story short, me sef request for some days leave this month just to flex and it was granted despite the short notice. Annual leave requires 6 weeks notice in my company but I requested barely 2 weeks to the date I wanted and it was granted. My manager simply looked at the team's calender, noticed no one else would be on leave for those days, got clearance from his own manager and granted it. It's people over processes and rules.

My partner told me of a colleague who's cat died and the manager gave her one week to mourn.

So, I see no reason why they'd deny some days off to mourn and honour your dead.

With my little experience about the labour market here, bereavement is a huge stuff. They're big on Work-life balance and family. I'd say the employee is the king in this market. It's the other way round back home.

OP just needs to speak to her Manager. I'm almost certain they'll give her a week or more if she requests.

Actually, being on probation shouldn't take out your access to leave. If that's case and they won't give you time off to mourn and honour the dead, then you need to run from that company.

lightnlife:
Let me share my experience on probation and annual leave/bereavement.

I'm barely 3 months into my first job in this UK. Currently on a six-month probation but I have a pro-rated annual leave just before my company's calender year reset.

Given my Naija experience, I literally saw the probation-phase leave allowance as a bait So, I wasn't going to use any as per sharp Nigerian. However, I noticed my british-born colleagues had almost used up the leave even at the induction phase. Life sweet.

Long story short, me sef request for some days leave this month just to flex and it was granted despite the short notice. Annual leave requires 6 weeks notice in my company but I requested barely 2 weeks to the date I wanted and it was granted. My manager simply looked at the team's calender, noticed no one else would be on leave for those days, got clearance from his own manager and granted it. It's people over processes and rules.

My partner told me of a colleague who's cat died and the manager gave her one week to mourn.

So, I see no reason why they'd deny some days off to mourn and honour your dead.

With my little experience about the labour market here, bereavement is a huge stuff. They're big on Work-life balance and family. I'd say the employee is the king in this market. It's the other way round back home.

OP just needs to speak to her Manager. I'm almost certain they'll give her a week or more if she requests.

Actually, being on probation shouldn't take out your access to leave. If that's case and they won't give you time off to mourn and honour the dead, then you need to run from that company.

To be honest, we really need to unlearn a lot of this Naija mindset. That’s why a lot of people get bullied because they do not understand the rights that they have. You are a foreigner no mean say you be slave. Funny enough, I had an amazing employer back in Nigeria with a really good company culture, my line manager and HR were the absolute best, small headache, they’ll be begging you to go home and rest, small sadness, they’ll ask you to take time off work Lol. I cannot now move to the UK and then expect or accept less all in the name of ILR. Human not Robot.