{
  "registry_version": "2026.08.2",
  "data": {
    "title": "Feedback stating candidate is overqualified for the grade",
    "status": "active",
    "evidence_ids": [
      "EVD-002"
    ],
    "content": "# Feedback stating candidate is overqualified for the grade\n\nCandidate is rejected on the grounds that their experience, seniority, or previous scope exceeds the open position tier.\n\n### Diagnostic Non-Inferences\n- Does not imply the candidate is undesirable, but signals retention/flight-risk and compensation mismatch concerns.",
    "id": "A-013",
    "type": "artifact",
    "summary": "Candidate is rejected on the grounds that their experience, seniority, or previous scope exceeds the open position tier.",
    "stages": [
      "recruiter",
      "screening",
      "team"
    ],
    "evidence_level": "supported",
    "probes": [
      {
        "id": "PROBE-A-013-1",
        "action": "Inquire whether the organization has higher-tier or staff-level requisitions open where broader scope is desired.",
        "expected_signal": "Channels candidate into appropriate leveling track.",
        "cost": "low"
      }
    ],
    "specimens": [
      {
        "kind": "email",
        "label": "Rejection email",
        "subject": "Your application — Senior Backend Engineer",
        "context": "day 6 after the final conversation",
        "lines": [
          {
            "text": "Thank you for the time you gave us over the past two weeks. The team enjoyed the conversation and rated your systems background highly.",
            "tell": false
          },
          {
            "text": "After discussion we have decided not to move forward. Your experience sits above the band we scoped for this role, and we were concerned the day-to-day would not stay interesting for you for very long.",
            "tell": true
          },
          {
            "text": "We would be glad to keep your profile on file and reach out when something at the right level opens up.",
            "tell": false
          }
        ],
        "reading": "The stated ground is fit with a band, not the quality of the work — and the risk named is retention, not capability."
      },
      {
        "kind": "transcript",
        "label": "Recruiter screen, transcript fragment",
        "context": "minute 14 of a 30-minute call",
        "lines": [
          {
            "speaker": "Recruiter",
            "at": "14:02",
            "text": "Your last role was a team lead position, is that right?",
            "tell": false
          },
          {
            "speaker": "Candidate",
            "at": "14:09",
            "text": "Formally, yes. In practice about two thirds of my week was hands-on.",
            "tell": false
          },
          {
            "speaker": "Recruiter",
            "at": "14:21",
            "text": "Got it. I will be honest with you — my worry is that this role is a step down, and six months in you would be looking again.",
            "tell": true
          },
          {
            "speaker": "Candidate",
            "at": "14:33",
            "text": "Right now I am optimising for depth rather than scope.",
            "tell": false
          },
          {
            "speaker": "Recruiter",
            "at": "14:38",
            "text": "Understood. I will pass that on either way.",
            "tell": false
          }
        ],
        "reading": "The concern is raised before any technical assessment: the level question is being settled ahead of the skill question."
      }
    ],
    "non_inferences": [
      "Does not imply the candidate is undesirable, but signals retention/flight-risk and compensation mismatch concerns."
    ]
  }
}