Perceived Overqualification and Job Acceptance Intentions among Young Adults in Sweden

Sammanfattning: The study investigates perceived overqualification and its effect on recent graduates’ job acceptance intentions. Due to the increased proportion of highly educated workforce in Sweden and the low employment chances in the current labour market, there is a major necessity for scientific investigation. Acceptance intentions to a poorly matched job offer were examined and associated with perceived overqualification, personality characteristics and demographic elements. A total number of 203 people completed the online study. The participants were recent graduates from higher educational institutions in Sweden, currently in search of work, with age range between 18-35 years and mixed nationality background. Regression analysis indicated Perceived Overqualification, Sex, Nationality and Career Goals as significant predictors for applicants’ acceptance intentions for the ill-matched job offer, whereas personality characteristics were not significant. The findings corresponded to previous research, and enriched scientific knowledge in job acceptance decisions and subjective overqualification.