Should I leave my degree off job applications?

Anonymous

July 5,2022 at 10:12PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Should I leave my degree off job applications?

I've been applying to jobs for months with no offers.I've been complimented on my past experience but I've been ghosted numerous times.It's at the point now that I'm leaving out that I have a masters degree.Sad to say I might even leave off my Bachelor's degree for entry level positions. I've even been rejected from entry level positions that I have experience and knowledge. It seems like neither my degrees or my past work experience is helping me to get a position.

Should I leave off my degrees depending on the position?

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

36 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

36 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousJuly 5,2022 at 11:35PM UTC
Why are you apple to entry level positions?
AnonymousJuly 5,2022 at 11:48PM UTC
I've applied for associate and mid-senior level positions as well. I've either been ghosted or they've given the position to someone else. It's honestly at the point where I'm applying to entry level. I figured that might open the door
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 12:11AM UTC
I get what you mean BUT as experienced in this experiment, don't bother because the recruiter will think you'll soon quit. Not saying you would and I bet you could rise up the ladder well!!!
In my industry (accounting), they want a CPA for bank reconciliations and accounts payable! Crazy. ?. I had my first degree in design years ago and switched when the economy tanked. Back to school for associates in addition to my bachelor's. Can't get a CPA without a bachelor's in accounting and I'm almost 50! Screw that, I wanna retire one day!!!
My point: it's true - the hardest job is FINDING a job. You'll make it!! I finally got someone to see me as a Senior Accountant and I appreciate the opportunity (though I work in a toxic, disorganized place, but that's a different post! Lollll!!) Point is: I'm working!!
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:23AM UTC
:) thank you so much and that's great congratulations on all you've accomplished. I definitely feeling a bit more energized than earlier today when I received my rejection. I'm not going to give up.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 11:10PM UTC
Contact your colleges career center, get fair dates and go, use their recruiting system for openings.
Contact staffing firms and apply to temp jobs. There’s a ton of work out there. Market isn’t slowing as our employers are hiring! Operations supply chain, finance students, HR, everything !
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:25AM UTC
Ok what you are caught up in is an economic outlook that has companies scare so many have frozen hiring or cut way back on their plans.
The media hasn't caught up to the fact that hiring has slowed way down starting in the second quarter and it's slowing steadily.
This is not you and you can still find a great job, it will just take a bit longer and you'll most likely find it through a referral.
Your education and experience have a great deal of value but the market is skittish so companies are skittish.
Hang in there. You'll get there.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 11:07PM UTC
Companies are hiring in droves! Go to your colleges career fair if they allow alums. Network it works! Have resume in hand.
AnonymousJuly 5,2022 at 11:38PM UTC
Do not ever leave off your education. You earned it! And it keeps you honest to what is yours. You may, however, remove the dates of graduation. This prevents immediate ageism. Within your cover letter you could explain the interest of the position, how you fit and how you will learn from it. Good luck!
AnonymousJuly 5,2022 at 11:45PM UTC
Thank you! that's a great idea leaving off the year.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 11:05PM UTC
Yes! You may have to put it in an online app but that’s ok. Upload a cover letter that shines. Job searching is hard. Connect with a high level director via LinkedIn for that company and see if they can offer guidance. Then consider working for a university. Lots of great jobs.
AnonymousJuly 5,2022 at 11:57PM UTC
Be proud of your accomplishments!
I often hear I'm too smart, too dumb, but never "just right". As exhausting as it is, keep going. Many employers want the PERFECT (impossible!!!!) employee to do it all for nothing.
Eventually they'll learn. Maybe. People will quit or they won't find anyone to suit their insane needs.
Hang in there - I've been where you are. Remember, you only need ONE "yes" !!
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:12AM UTC
Thank you! It can be discouraging especially when I think I'm qualified for the position or know the job. But I'm going to keep trying :)
SLTJuly 6,2022 at 12:21AM UTC
Besides, if you work for a temp place, you build two references: the agency and place they put you at.
I was at a Blood Donation place for 6 weeks until my FT job came up. I took appointments for donations. So boring and I was way overqualified BUT they were the most wonderful group of people and a reference.
Even threw me a party when I left!!!
I have leukemia so unfortunately I can't donate blood but I ended up working over on some days to donate my time. They said if I ever needed a job,. I'm always welcome.
You never know!!
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:07AM UTC
That's great ! Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience. I'm now thinking of signing up with one. This will be my first time looking into working with a temp agency
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 6,2022 at 12:25AM UTC
You say you've been applying but not getting offers.
Are you getting interviews?
What do you do? What are your degrees in? If you've been complimented on your experience, why are you applying for entry level positions?
What have you done so far in your job search? Where do you have your resume posted? Where are you searching for positions? How often are you updating those profiles? Is your LinkedIn profile up to snuff? Are there specialty job boards you could be utilizing?
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 12:56AM UTC
I've spoken with recruiters and I've interviewed with hiring managers.The interviews with the hiring managers went well and the feedback was great but I never get any offers.
My past experience is in the medical and pharmaceutical industry both in sales and quality systems. I've even worked in a call center at one point so I'm not afraid of any challenges.
I have my resume posted on LinkedIn, Indeed,monster and my college job board. I've also been looking on the sites.I updated all the sites,my cover letters and have resumes tailored to specific jobs.
I'm definitely missing something or I need to review how I've been searching
Wendy EatonJuly 6,2022 at 3:27PM UTC
The jobs on LinkedIn have so many applications, you may be getting lost in the shuffle. I feel the same way. I'm starting to go directly to the websites of the companies I'd like to work for and searching the CAREERS section to see what they have open. I'm guessing those jobs may have fewer applicants (because they are harder to find) and I might have a better chance. Just a thought to consider...
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 6,2022 at 4:23PM UTC
Just to let you know - those are the same jobs.
LinkedIn (and sites like Indeed) "scrape" the company website and pull jobs from there to post if you have an account with them.
They all feed back into the same requisition in the company's ATS.
Wendy EatonJuly 6,2022 at 6:08PM UTC
Having an account is quite expensive, correct? The number I heard was $6000. I’m hearing anecdotally that the price is what keeps some from using LinkedIn. Instead, they post jobs on the company website for free. This is all new to me though. I haven’t been in the job market for 10 years!
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 6,2022 at 6:52PM UTC
I believe it's $9,000.
It's one of the costs of doing business. It's not just having an account, every recruiter has their own LI Recruiter license - so for a big global company like the one I work for, multiple that $9,000 by about 1,200 recruiters.
Even at the smaller recruiting firms and medium size companies I've worked for, every recruiter had their own LI Recruiter license.
Yes, you can post the job to your company website - everyone does - that's not the issue. It's driving traffic to those postings. You need people to see those postings. That's why they need to be posted to external sites.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 6,2022 at 6:03PM UTC
You didn't say why you're applying for entry level jobs.
PM me if you'd like me to look at your resume.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 11:00PM UTC
Sounds like you may seek pharma sales? If so ask you doc to intro you to their rep. Go same day wait in the waiting area and connect. It’s aggressive but F2F interaction may help.
Tiana MumfordJuly 6,2022 at 12:58AM UTC
Good evening,
I definitely would put it on the resume . You worked too hard for it not go on the resume !
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:28AM UTC
Thank you! I definitely will now. The process of looking for her job definitely creates doubts haha
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 10:53PM UTC
As my grandmother told me years ago. Once you earn your degree it is yours. No one can repo or take it from you!
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:04AM UTC
Thank you! I was starting to think my degrees were the reason. Great idea I haven't checked with my career service since updating my resume.Im going to sign up with tempt agency because I didn't think it will be this difficult with so many job postings but I was wrong lol
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 11:03PM UTC
I work in higher ed career center. Get on their system (maybe it’s Handshake or Symplicity), meet with a counselor then upload your resume there. It’s a hot bed of info right at your finger tips. We have a special system just for business alums to network too. Where did you go to college? If you don’t mind me asking?
Shanita Taylor BSIS, BSc (Psyc), M.A.E.LJuly 6,2022 at 2:03AM UTC
Hello,
Regardless of what an employer's HR department may fear or think, you earned your degree, and there is a place for education. Therefore, you should put it on there to compliment your training and experience. I believe you can't go wrong. To me, it shows you have some knowledge others may or may not have that is pertinent to an organization's success. You can't go wrong without it.
Kristie WhiteJuly 6,2022 at 1:14PM UTC
You said no offers, are you getting interviews? If yes, the problem may be in the interview process. If you aren’t getting interviews, you are applying for the wrong jobs. Keep your degrees, raise the bar.
Audrey KirschJuly 6,2022 at 5:10PM UTC
Don't dumb yourself down to get a job. You won't be happy where you end up. If money is an issue, take a temporary or part time job in a service industry like retail or restaurants. You can earn some money and learn some new skills while on the hunt for a job that matches your interests and education.
Janet ParkhurstJuly 23,2022 at 11:06PM UTC
I SO agree with Audrey! Never dilute your value in order to squeeze yourself (like the square peg into the round hole) into a job that's not worthy of you. I remember feeling insulted and demeaned when a recruiter suggested I leave off my skills, strengths and experiences as an accomplished copywriter in order to qualify for a mere proofreader's job. He didn't even ask if I'd be INTERESTED in being a proofreader--he just assumed I'd be desperate enough to consider it. So, my answer is No, No, No! You worked hard to earn that degree, so why should you hide that fact?
Best of luck--I know it gets terribly discouraging, but hang in there for the right job, even if it means taking a "crappy job" in the interim to tide you over.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 10:57PM UTC
Make sure your resume reflects the key skills in the post that you possess.
IA software is picking up those skills. It’s very common. Be sure to Linkin with recruiters and decision makers and ask for feedback how to navigate their system to land an interview. Networking is one of the best ways to get a job.
JJJuly 8,2022 at 2:53AM UTC
Yes. Companies will not over-hire because they assume you will quit.
Sabrina CortesJuly 8,2022 at 6:37PM UTC
I'd leave your degrees on your resume, just make sure your education section is near the bottom of the document.
As a professional Resume Writer, you might want to focus on your transferrable skills. Also, it's a good idea to tailor your resume to the jobs you're applying for as this significantly increases the chances of you passing the ATS scanning process.
It might be a good idea to mention why you're looking for an entry-level position in your cover letter. This may help potential employers understand what you're looking for and why you're not looking for high-level roles. It could put their minds at ease when considering to hire you.
I hope this helps.
Sending you positive vibes!
AnonymousJuly 8,2022 at 6:47PM UTC
No! What is your degree, what is your current job experience in and what job are you currently targetting? We can better help you if you let us know what industry and job you are pursuing.
If you have some experience perhaps you should apply to mid-level career positions. Or it could be how your resume and cover letter is structured. make sure you are infusing the critical key words from the job description and linking those job duties to your skillset and abilities.
AnonymousJuly 24,2022 at 7:13PM UTC
I've been tempted to do this, and some have advised me to. Problem is, I've been a professor for the last 10 years, so if I took off my PhD, I'd have to remove that work history, too.
I think there's just a ton of ghosting going on as well, so I try to not take it personally. I read about it in a number of groups I'm in, see it mentioned frequently on LinkedIn, etc. Seem that it's kind of the norm right now, which is a bummer.
Good luck in your search. I hope you land something soon!