I am searching for work and have several interviews.

69 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 2:18PM UTC

   This isn’t going to be a popular answer, I’m sure, especially from those who see immense value in formal post-secondary education.

   I was in the same boat as you. Nearly 10 years of experience, awards, and accolades in my roles - yet, I wasn’t making it through the screening process because I don’t have a degree.

   So I put a degree on my resume. My career path doesn’t require one, it’s not in the medical, legal, or financial fields, I don’t aspire to a C-Suite role, and it wouldn’t create a legal situation for my employer if I were “found out”. The door magically swung open and many opportunities were available to me. As long as you’re not going around talking about how you don’t have a degree after you’re hired, it’s fine. Thats just my opinion.

   I did attend a state university, I just didn’t finish. I left to start working because traditional learning environments aren’t for me. With that being said, if it’s not a legality issue for your role, fake it. Nobody has ever asked me about my university experience or degree in the 5 years I’ve had it on my resume. They aren’t checking for it on my background checks because, again, it’s really not relevant to my role.

   This can be a real pain and I’m sorry you’re dealing with it. Best of luck to you.

2. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 2:38PM UTC

   This is so unethical and could end up with you losing your job if you get found out or even being blacklisted from your industry entirely. It's ridiculous that places are requiring degrees even when people have experience, but leading with dishonesty and opening yourself up to legal trouble is not the answer.

3. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 3:14PM UTC

   As someone else said, horribly unethical! Do better!

4. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 4:50PM UTC

   Yeah, don't do that. It's unethical and disrespectful to those who actually did do the work to finish and get a degree. There was a female politician in Texas who had worked her way into a sweet government spot back in the 90's and was discovered to have lied about having a college degree. It ruined her career.

5. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 5:32PM UTC

   Unpopular response for a reason.

   With so many companies doing backgrounds screens, why would you even risk it? Lying on a resume? And then when they go to verify and there is nothing to verify because you lied? That will result in the offer being immediately rescinded (I have seen this happen on more than once).

6. Tami CannizzaroDecember 21,2023 at 7:45PM UTC

   Uh, No.
   Never do this. It takes years to build your reputation and this one simple act could ruin it.

   Here's what you CAN do: Include an Education section on your resume, with the university attended and course of study
   University of XXXXX - City, ST
   Coursework towards Bachelor of Business Administration (or whatever you studied)

   This accomplishes your goal of showing university experience without lying, and it will help when the ATS searches for educational experience.

   My two cents.

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 21,2023 at 9:14PM UTC

   Telling someone to lie on their resume SHOULD be an unpopular answer.

   Every company I have worked for for the last decade or two has done employment and education verification - the OP would easily be found out to be lying.

   Please stop giving out unethical, harmful "advice" to job seekers.

8. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 2:12PM UTC

   Never lie on your resume or a job application.
   You can be terminated if it is discovered. I know someone that lied on her application and resume for a management position. This is a small community. The company that hired her did a beautiful article in the local newspaper highlighting her including the fake degree she listed. Obviously, someone informed the company and she was fired. Still hasnt found a decent position since then. Also, many companies are no longer requiring degrees. I just read an article this week stating that very fact due to the inability to hire and retain quality employees .

9. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 2:22PM UTC

   At my first job, back in the 1970s, a person put a degree on his resume for a job that didn't require one. After he was there a month, he was called into HR and told that they tried to verify his education but couldn't, so he had these choices: He could produce a diploma or transcript, or he would be fired. It wasn't about the degree. It was about lying on the resume/application. Also, having a degree shows that you can engage in a long-term project and complete it successfully, with all requirements met. This is why many sites will accept any degree, even if it doesn't apply to the job.

10. Stephanie Branch LekowskiDecember 21,2023 at 2:39PM UTC

    I've never heard of this excuse for requiring a BA. Most employers who insist on a degree for a j9b that doesn't need it are looking for pedigree- you don't ans shouldn't need a degree to prove you have emotional intelligence and can get along with co-workers, teamwork, etc. Stay away from any job that has unrealistic expectations. One job I saw wanted a Masters Degree to be a paralegal, and the pay was 50K A YEAR. Give me a freaking break.

    Look, we know it's a terrible economy, but some employers are just exploiting that. Do research and find out which employers are willing to compromise education for experience or less money but some more perks, like more PTO or other flexibility in schedule. Some might even offer assistance in paying for your degree if it's really that important to them and/or vital to the position. Hope this helps!

11. Jennifer DeBenedittoDecember 22,2023 at 1:53PM UTC

    Im am just not sure how to research that so I keep trying. I apply to everything just in case.

12. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 5:20PM UTC

    Don't give up! Focus your resume and content on what aligns with their role. I think wanting a degree at this point in time doesn't make a difference. Good luck!

13. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 5:30PM UTC

    This will be very company-specific. And it sounds like this company is definitely in that category. Exceptions can be made so I wouldn't entirely rule it out; however, your best bet is to resume your search elsewhere.

14. Jennifer DeBenedittoDecember 22,2023 at 1:48PM UTC

    I am searching. I need to not loose my house and still support an elder parent.

15. Barb HansenDecember 21,2023 at 5:38PM UTC

    Requiring a 4-year degree for roles that don't require a degree is a legal form of discrimination. IMO

    Of course, I'm not talking about role that truly require a degree (many healthcare roles, accounting, etc). I'm talking about roles that can be learned on the job (we all know the roles that I'm talking about)

    How can a company justify that a 4-year degree is required to do Job A, when they will accept a 4-year degree in any subject? What? You want a python developer with a 4-year degree. Will my 4-year degree in psychology work? Yes? Okay. (I don't have a 4-year degree in psychology nor am I a python developer, those are just examples)

    It's disgusting.

    Okay, back to the OP. There are plenty of small and large corporations that have realized that a 4-year degree is not required for many business roles. IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, Google have all jumped on "no degree required" bandwagon. Of course, this trend is not affected by the current tech job retraction but in general, it's a good positive trend.

    You may want to consider joining gig job boards (there are hundreds of them beyond upwork and fiverr) and many of these job board placements are full-time and well-paid contract jobs at large companies. I don't have a list of these contract/gig job boards but at the 14:30 minute mark of this webinar, you'll find an image of name/logos of reputable contract/gig job boards that are pre-approved to provide long-term contractors to NASA and other large companies. https://open-assembly.com/blog/oa-community-meeting-nov-2-the-art-of-the-possible-with-open-talent

    I'm not saying that every job on these websites don't require a degree (obviously some of them do) but many won't.

    Another tip:

    I don't know what industry or job category you are looking at, so this suggestion might not make sense.

    Although the tech industry is retracting, other industries are not retracting - power and water utilities, oil/gas, logistics, and construction to name a few. If you are looking for a tech job at a tech company, expand your search to include companies from other industries.

16. Jennifer DeBenedittoDecember 21,2023 at 11:39PM UTC

    I am just looking for office work with healthcare. Accounts payable... general office support. I worked at large insurance companies and banks doing office clerk jobs.

17. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:35PM UTC

    You can probably find remote work via upwork or some temp work in your area.
    Often, temp jobs result in offers for permanent jobs. Expand your horizon to other office environments, like veterinarians or city government. And get some certification to add to your resume, like Microsoft certification. Sometimes temp agencies will do testing, and that may help you get higher-paying work. One (thankless) job category that is always hiring is collections. I'd rather live in a car than do that, but it would be a paycheck.

18. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:32PM UTC

    College degrees show an ability to meet deadlines, provide deliverables to spec, work with others, an ability to communicate (at least in writing), and an ability to learn quickly. These are essential to success in almost every role in a knowledge industry or "desk" job. Even a philosophy degree demonstrates this.

19. Barb HansenDecember 27,2023 at 5:03PM UTC

    yes, of course, you are correct. There are many soft and hard skills that are learned and demonstrated by completing a four-year degree, but those soft and hard skills are not exclusively learned while obtaining a four-year degree program. 2- and 3-year degree post-secondary programs, and apprenticeships programs develop the most of the same if not all of the same "muscles" and usually under tighter timeline. It's a bit of a myth that the only place I can learn the general "how to be a good worker" skills is in a 4-year degree program.

20. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 7:16PM UTC

    I'm so sorry about this requirement. I don't think all companies feel this way.

21. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 7:52PM UTC

    My suggestion, find an online course through Coursera or Harvard and take it. They’re free nowadays. They have a wide range of options for various industries and it’ll help give you that leg up.

22. AnonymousDecember 21,2023 at 9:14PM UTC

    How would this fix her issue of not having a degree?

23. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 21,2023 at 9:22PM UTC

    Whether or not a company requires a degree is individual company policy. And while I may disagree with that requirement most of the time, they are well within their rights to set their policies as they see fit.

    If a company requires a degree, then yes, to them your experience doesn't matter if you don't have a degree.

    I'm not sure what you mean when you say you "don't know what to do". Just remove this company from your target list and focus on companies that do not have this requirement.

    I would strongly encourage you to look into staffing companies - it's a way to get your foot in the door and can help get a paycheck flowing quickly in most cases.

    Also, please do not follow the advice from the poster below telling you to lie on your resume.

24. Jennifer DeBenedittoDecember 21,2023 at 11:44PM UTC

    I need to pay the mortgage and I need healthcare,

    And I know that people check for schools. Lyng would just get me fired.

25. JJDecember 21,2023 at 10:25PM UTC

    This used to be absolute but some companies are being less focused on degrees. I had to work three jobs to put myself through school. After my Associates degree I stopped to work full time in my field and it was fine for a few years but I was turned down for so many jobs. I went back to school online to finish my BA and then my MBA. It was hard but I liked it. After years of being turned down for education I got the max in my field to make sure I remain competitive.

26. Jennifer DeBenedittoDecember 21,2023 at 11:43PM UTC

    I don't have thin funding to go to school. I am just looking for something basic with healthcare as I have to take care of my Dad. When I am 62 I could take Social security early to keep the house and then do school...but that's 4 years away.

27. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 1:14PM UTC

    I've only heard of this for federally contracted positions but without knowing the type of job you are applying it is hard to say. It might be the company had hired individuals with experience but no degree and it ended poorly.

28. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

    I think it is probably due to the automated process and the pool usually having lots of candidates who have both the degree and experience. If you don't have both, you probably won't make the first cut. This community has also seen posts by people fresh out of college who can't get an interview because they lack experience.

29. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 1:25PM UTC

    It all depends on the company. If it says BA required most will not waive that, if it says preferred they will. Again, it all depends on the company policies.

30. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 1:28PM UTC

    I'm still shocked by the number of folks that don't understand that having a bachelor's is almost turning into the minimum requirement of having a high school diploma. No, the requirement is not put in place because companies are worried about getting sued by degree holders, it's put in place because they want to see that you have actually stuck with something where the reward wasn't immediate. In college, you have to work hard without someone telling you what to do and when and how to do it and you do that for 4 years maybe longer and you don't get a payout until you get a diploma. A degree also shows that you can work with a group of people and get something accomplished in the form of a group project. Those are just some of the things that a college degree does that will help employers determine if you can be successful in a position on their team. If it's the requirement for the position you have 2 choices, move on and find something that doesn't require a degree or get a degree. My vote would be get a degree. It may take you a while to get it if you're working full-time but it's never too late to get one and it will put you in a position where you don't have to worry about the degree requirement.

31. Jennifer DeBenedittoDecember 22,2023 at 1:46PM UTC

    I put in 40 years of work and have no money to sustain a house and pay for a degree. I agree if I were 30, but I am almost 60? I stuck with my jobs one for 30 years and the other for 10. I own a home on my own income. I have accomplished that s a single woman. I care for an elderly parent. I never quit a job I was laid off. My resume shows what I have accomplished for the 2 companies I worked for. My question was "is it true" The answer is "yes". I didn't asked to be belittled like I never accomplished anything. Thanks for that.

32. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 3:37PM UTC

    You were not belittled, you asked if a degree is a requirement for a job where you were told it was a requirement and you still come here to ask that question and you were given your answer in addition why it's a requirement and what you can do for the future. Let me give you another tip, companies are looking for life long learners so maybe change your perspective about being almost 60 and getting a degree.

33. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:26PM UTC

    Demonstrating knowledge of current technology and trends is important, as well as a history of adapting to change.

    But (I'm a person in her 60s who was just laid off)... employers are looking for a payoff of their investment in the hiring process, which is expensive. It's illegal and irrational, but they want someone who will stick around for at least 5 years. ... even though 20-somethings don't stay in their first job very long.

34. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

    Things are different than they were 40 years ago. I was laid off this year at age 65, after one year at a job, and was laid off from the previous job at 63. And I was laid off from the previous one at 50. Each job has paid less, and I have had to downsize my lifestyle. Looking for work in your 60s is just not the same as looking for work in your 20s or even 40s. There's a reason the average age of "retirement" is now 63. I'd planned to start taking social security at 70, and I will probably be starting it within the next 12 months even if I find work. I just applied for a job that pays even less than the previous job, so will be earing about 1/3 of what I earned at 50. Cashing in on my 401k in order to delay that is another option. For you, selling the house and buying something smaller might help you delay your "retirement." Look at how many gray haired people work in fast food and retail -- this is how that happened.

35. AnonymousDecember 24,2023 at 6:32PM UTC

    I didn’t finish my degree until 2011.
    It sucked having a big loan, and I’m so glad I was able to pay it off from an inheritance, but I do feel that for many, college is unnecessary, but people are convinced it’s necessary.

    Things are changing though, trade schools are starting to grow in popularity because colleges leave people in horrific debt without any guarantee of a job or career. Unless you become a lawyer or doctor, it’s a waste of money.

    On the job training or taking classes geared toward specific skills are far more effective, in my opinion. I learned nothing from college that I didn’t already know. I just needed the diploma to show I played the game.

    My brother-in-law and a long time friend do not have college degrees. There are companies who will hire you, but you may have to do more networking than applying. That’s how they’ve done it.

    I was laid off in August and although I interviewed with so many companies, and in the past, I always got the job, this time it was hell. I really don’t know why. I ended up taking a contract job and I am grateful, although I’d rather have a full time role. Perhaps you may want to look at contract roles as well. You would be a freelancer working through a 1099, or you could get an LLC and do corp to corp.

    Please don’t let this get you down. After the New Year, they’ll start posting jobs again. Do research on companies that hire without college degrees and make those your target companies. I wish you all the best.

36. Jennifer AndersonDecember 22,2023 at 6:02PM UTC

    Thank you for stating this and I wish experience counted as more. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way ... twice ... that this is true, especially in recessionary times.

    When the market is good for employees and the labor market is tight, then experience can move you forward. When the market favors employers then they have more candidates than positions so they tend to use filters and your application may never get there. When it does, you can often get put at the bottom of the list because the software rates you lower and those above the hiring manager may do the same. It's sad and unfortunately true.

    My ex experienced this first hand when he was laid off and my current husband didn't. Both didn't have degrees and were working in great jobs. My ex always said that he couldn't afford the time or money and I understood and supported him. After our divorce, I heard he was laid off and couldn't find a job in engineering even though he has been a senior leader for over 20 years in the field. He was finally able to get something but it took a lot of friends and contacts helping him and none of the interviews came from outside this domain.

    My current hubby and I talked about this very thing and he was in the same place. He is self-made and worked his way up. I was always worried that he would be laid off and without a degree what happened to my ex would happen to him ... and it did. The difference between the two is that he went back to school at 45 and got his degree. When he was laid off in the IT sphere he was hired within a month and during a recessionary period.

    Me, I had my degree... in business and was laid off after working for 13 years at the same company in the IT space. Again, recessionary times. I was told that employers didn't want to interview me because I worked for 1 company for a long time and therefore would be "hard to train" and the fact that my degree was in business and not in my chosen field of IT meant that the filters were weeding me out. I went back to school and got my masters in IT. Hilarious as I qualified for a master's when I didn't have a bachelor's. and had a job within a week of my graduation date.

    To quote a previous boss, often degrees are "table stakes" in the card game of life. It sucks but until there are more experienced people without degrees than degreed people this will continue.

37. GirlBossanova934974December 22,2023 at 1:49PM UTC

    This is fairly straight forward. Most companies specify in their job posting if a college degree is required. If nothing is said, that is the first question you need to ask the outside or inside recruiter. It is just like salary range today. Most companies have a range and ask you for your range to start the process. There are PLENTY of companies and jobs that do not require college degrees. Apply to those places. Don't waste your time with outfits that want something you don't have. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, be sure to apply for as many jobs as you can during the holiday period. Most other applicants and companies have taken this time off. So you will be FIRST in the door and first to be considered in another week or two. Load up the pipeline of potential jobs and companies for New Year.

38. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:12PM UTC

    Where I live, the only places that don't require a degree are fast food, retail, and construction. The fantasy of making good money without a degree usually means working in the trades, i.e., men's jobs.

39. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 1:50PM UTC

    If having a particular degree is a requirement at the "target" company you're looking at, then perhaps you should start being more flexible in the jobs/employers you are looking at.

40. AnonymousDecember 22,2023 at 2:34PM UTC

    There are many options these days for getting a degree. Online degrees from accredited colleges and Universities are for working people, most geared toward people who need flexibility. Even some traditionally on-site before the COVID-19 pandemic are now offering online options. In the meantime, you may want to find a job with a company that provides a tuition reimbursement program and use the online option for a degree. Then you have the best of both worlds.

41. BethBDecember 22,2023 at 3:05PM UTC

    Experience always counts.You are competing against a ton of either people. Given experience vs similar experience plus a degree, you are at a disadvantage. Jobs are tight, sorry. Yes, you will hear about people who beat the odds. They are the exception, not the rule. If you need 40K and healthcare, figure out what you need to do to get there. Do you need to consider smaller companies that might be more flexible in their requirements? Do you need to look at other industries or job types? Do you need to start working toward a degree?

42. Cathy ReslerDecember 22,2023 at 4:23PM UTC

    Leading companies are beginning to adjust their baseline requirements to be more inclusive by removing a specific degree requirement and focusing on skills, knowledge and experience through school, previous jobs or self-education so suggest focusing on organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion in this regard. The companies that are reading your resume and wanting to pursue you, next time don’t just say thank you when they need to check on the degree, politely turn it around and ask what are the specific aspects of knowledge they want the candidate to have (or something like that) and proceed to demonstrate that you have said knowledge or experience that can be supported through alternatives such as references, outcomes, awards and/or certificates. Good luck!

43. Gwendolyn FreeDecember 22,2023 at 5:44PM UTC

    If the job description requires a BA degree, it is probably a good rule to not apply for the role, if you don't have one. Look for roles that don't require a degree!

44. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:09PM UTC

    Even if it's just a preferred qualification, it would probably be a waste of time to apply. Someone who has that BA will be in the pool.

45. Joyce GioiaDecember 22,2023 at 7:30PM UTC

    The trend used to be that degrees were less important than experience. Your experience seems to be a reversal of that trend. I'm wondering what others think about this situation. Overall, I'm inclined to agree with Gwendolyn. And with this tight labor market, depending on your industry, you will likely be re-employed soon. Also, you might want to consider a job that offers education reimbursement and a college that will offer you credit for your experience.

46. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 1:45AM UTC

    I have a degree AND years of experience.
    They want 20 year-olds that are fresh out of college and "innovative " willing to work for less

    Yes, I have bills as well as everyone else. I'd try to be more realistic in what you apply for and do your HW before the interview

47. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

    That’s obviously not what the issue is here; they said they would like to hire her but may not be able to do so without the degree.
    That’s not the same as using the degree as a tool to weed out older, more experienced (and expensive) folks without one. She was not unrealistic to apply for a position she was deeply experienced in.

48. Pamela A. KetchumDecember 23,2023 at 2:03PM UTC

    Well, why not use LinkedIn resources and also look into Coursera for specialized Certifications. Every little bit helps. You may also want to to look into the Finance or Banking careers. Many large corporations will pay for your education. Once you're hired, ask about tuition reimbursement options. Stay strong and driven

49. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:05PM UTC

    I have a master's degree and dropped my Ph.D.

    after reaching All-But-Dissertation status, and people who have the completed Ph.D. have beat me out of jobs that only required a master's & they were straight out of school, while I have 20+ years of experience. That's just how the market works, unfortunately for those of us who chose the working path over the degree path.

    ... and if a job requires a degree and you don't have that degree, you will not make it past the computerized filter to even be considered.

50. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 6:38PM UTC

    Agreed. I have a Master's degree that I earned later in life (graduated with that at 40, and I'm 52 but look 10 years younger). I have been working since I was 14. I've been looking for a better job for 2+ years and have done everything possible to try to get an interview. I've tailored my resume to every single job, used the same exact keywords they list in the job descriptions, and used only relevant work experience when applicable. I've done what I can to try to hide my age, and occasionally I'll get interviews which almost always go extremely well. Nothing. Either they ghost me after all but telling me I'm hired, or they let me know they chose someone else weeks later. I'm currently trying to change careers and have relevant related experience, but it's becoming increasingly clear that most places just want a 20something straight out of college so they don't have to train them, or they want a younger perspective. Apparently they don't care about things like having a good work ethic or reliability in addition to knowing how to relate to people and give great customer service. To be clear, I don't think ALL 20somethings are bad at their jobs. Some are great, but the great ones seem to be few and far between. Where I currently work, at least half the staff is 20-ish. In general, they come in late (sometimes very late) or don't show up or call in at all, or don't really do much of anything when they ARE there. Yet they're the ones who are catered to by management. Meanwhile, I'm working my butt off. After two years of trying to get a different job (and without ever having had any previous issues getting a job my entire life), all I can come up with for a reason is that it's largely ageism. The type of roles that I'm currently applying for are ones that I'm very qualified for and am willing to accept the somewhat low pay rate without negotiation because I'm changing fields and new to the position. It's not that.

    OP, I empathize and wish you good luck finding something you like that pays the bills. It's rough out there, and I wish I had some good advice, but clearly, I'm not getting anywhere either. ?

51. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 2:31PM UTC

    I have applied to a position in the same company every time they post the position. I never get to the start of the interview process. I just receive the rejection letter.

    I am more than experienced to at least get an interview. Not sure what the issue is. After this last rejection letter I decided they aren’t worthy of me. I won’t apply to that company again. They don’t know what they are missing by not hiring me.

    Chin up! It is their loss!!

52. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 7:19PM UTC

    Those posts could be PR to convince shareholders that the company is healthier than it is.

53. Amy Carissa OliverDecember 25,2023 at 3:08PM UTC

    They may have too many applications for that. Or they may have a computer system weeding people out and your resume isn't hitting the marks that the system looks for. I'm well qualified to work for Comms at NASA as a director. Over the course of my career I have been rejected 100 times. Never even got an interview. This even after being asked to apply for four different roles. I have never figured out what I'm missing; I help other people do this all the time.

    when you really want a specific company it's important to look deeply at what they're asking and answer almost like a parrot. If they've said, "we want someone with art skills in Adobe illustrator," you have to write "I have art skills in Adobe illustrator.@ too often I see people get passed over because they write "I have art skills" and later in some other section put Adobe Illustrator. That's just a vague sample but it works in all industries. I just looked over a colleague's resume for a promotion (he's an engineer) and I made him completely rewrite it. In his mind he had showcased why he was best for the job but as a manager I knew he hadn't answered the unwritten questions.

54. Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume ExpertDecember 23,2023 at 3:03PM UTC

    How annoying and stupid of them! No, that is not true. Most employers are moving in the direction of not requiring a degree if the candidate has equivalent experience.

    That said, don't assume that what they told you is the whole story. Often people hire someone who made them laugh or with whom they connected personally even if that person isn't the best candidate for the job.

    I made a video to teach about how to be the candidate hiring managers can't wait to get on board. If this interests you, you can check it out here: https://www.yeswriting.com/interviewing/

55. Barbara Baker GreerDecember 23,2023 at 3:46PM UTC

    I have applied to over 2K jobs since being released from my role in July. I have only had a few interviews or even return calls. I am almost completed w/ my DBA and still no offer. I think that certain companies weed out potential candidates whether degreed or not! AI doesn't help either! ☹️ I commend you for keeping yourself uplifted as am I too. DON'T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN YOU'VE WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE; I'M SURE NOT!!! ???

56. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 4:18PM UTC

    2000 jobs since July? You might want to revise your resume and focus on WHAT you are applying for

    Resumes are constantly evolving documents as you improve your skills

57. AnonymousDecember 23,2023 at 11:38PM UTC

    @Barbara - please revisit your job search strategy if you’re applying to 500 jobs a month. This comes out to 16+ jobs / day…every day of the week including weekends. How is this even possible?

58. Amy Carissa OliverDecember 25,2023 at 3:01PM UTC

    As others have said already, this should not even be possible. Your resume should be tailored to fit the job you're applying to so that the hiring team can clearly see why they should want to interview you. This many means you're not taking the time to even read the application.

59. Karen SpenceDecember 24,2023 at 6:46PM UTC

    Consider googling this headline.

    I cannot paste the url here.

    “You no longer need a college degree to work at these 7 companies.”

    Another one from Dec. 5th states, “More US companies no longer requiring job seekers to have a college degree.”

    And make these your target companies. You can try googling for others too.
    Don’t add more to your plate right now by feeling you need to get a college degree now. It takes longer than 4 years part time. I appreciate others giving you advice, but that’s not realistic right now. After the new year, they will start posting all the new jobs for 2024, and the economy is improving. You will find a job. I know it. THEN you can start taking classes. ❤️

60. HILDA GDecember 25,2023 at 12:37PM UTC

    That's a hefty sum you need for keeping the house going. Might want to reconsider giving up some unneccessary payables aside from your healthcare. On the other hand, I see successful stories of virtual or remote work that do not necessarily have BA degrees. If they have done that, I think you might want to consider that area too, while you are waiting for the call of companies whom you prioritized applying. Good luck!

61. HannahDecember 25,2023 at 1:39PM UTC

    $40k is not a "hefty" annual salary at all, at least not in the US, and certainly not for someone with a decade+ of relevant work experience.

62. Amy Carissa OliverDecember 25,2023 at 2:57PM UTC

    Glad you said this. I know people who live in places where this is the mortgage or the rent for a year. That's only $3,333 per month and won't even buy a house that's falling apart in California. In Virginia (don't live there anymore) I had to buy a house because rent and the utilities would have been more than that.

63. Marguerite Martinez FarleyDecember 25,2023 at 9:50PM UTC

    40k is not a hefty salary and not unreasonable when the person has 10 plus years of experience. a degree isnt everything.

64. AnonymousDecember 28,2023 at 2:01PM UTC

    I don't think telling her to budget is an appropriate answer. Neither is the suggestion of virtual or remote work. She was asking a specific question and if you aren't going to speak to that then don't respond.

    That said, the other response about a lawsuit being in actionable- yes ;if JD say experience equivalent, and experience counts for a lot. There's some merit to it being a negotiation technique. Please also note, and this may not be the case, that the funding for the position or the JD req may change during the hiring process ( due to budget shifts, and the pool of applicants). I wish you great success regardless

65. BarbaraDecember 25,2023 at 2:07PM UTC

    Many companies say “college degree or equivalent “. Some companies are sticklers for the degree. Don’t give up or believe the nonsense. Hiring someone without a degree for a position that says it’s required is NOT actionable at all. Ignore these untruths and keep looking

66. Amy Carissa OliverDecember 25,2023 at 2:50PM UTC

    If a company has specifically required a degree for the role, they likely won't, or can't, overlook it during interviews. For example, if the company receives federal funding, they have to stick to their requirements on the job posting as it is a major EEO issue.

67. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachDecember 27,2023 at 12:08PM UTC

    More progressive companies look at experience vs a degree and I would look at how you are positioning it in interviews.

    Talk about how your experience far outweighs a 4 year degree by XYZ, and what you can come into the role and immediately start doing because of your experience. Goodluck!!

68. AnonymousDecember 27,2023 at 4:30PM UTC

    It might be a negotiation tactic. Like “oh if we take you on then it would have to be at X rate because you don’t quite meet the qualifications. My husband experienced that 3 years ago. They wanted a special healthcare trainingand when he didn’t have it they reduced the offer, despite knowing his background and all this credentials. The point is. They still called you. My advice is—know your worth. Know what that degree syllabus covers and doa quick checK to determine if you are an expert in each area. It reallydepends on your industry. you sound a but eager to take any role. recruiters sense that eagerness and in my humble Experience have given me
    lesser offers because of it. I know that you have economic pressures but the potential employer should not sense that you have no other interviews in the pipeline. Remember that you have value to offer. Stand in your power and speak with confidence. you got this.

69. PatriciaJanuary 3,2024 at 7:27AM UTC

    What about Recognition of prior learning (RPL)? This is when your previous studies and/or work experience are recognised and counted towards your degree as credit. Perhaps you could check which tertiary institutions will give you a certification based on RPL - it may not be a full degree but perhaps a certification that can lead to a degree?