© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Lacking a College Degree and Need a Next Step
I started working for an amazing company when I was 18 years old and have grown my career there (I'm 39 now). I started in a call center as a Customer Service Rep and now am a Director of Call Center Operations. I had to start working right out of high school to support my family and so I never went to college, and to get that first customer service job I didn't need a degree. It was also never required for me to earn a degree as I was promoted through the company.
Recently we went through a restructuring and we are reducing call center locations. My center is closing and my position was eliminated. I received a severance package, but the problem now is almost every job description I look at requires a college degree. At this point I don't feel like it matters, I have over 2 decades of work experience! But it is listed as a requirement on every job description for a Director role, a Manager role, and even a lot of individual contributor roles. Am I not going to be able to get a job?
Does a degree really matter?
Courtney Klein
Security Professional
688
07/02/19 at 5:42PM UTC
I agree with Isaviel's sentiment, and there are some ways out there that you can beat the resume bots (send me a private message if you want, it's too much to explain here). Given your experience, this shouldn't be a deal breaker on every position. Maybe consider asking around about recruiters who can help you. They have direct lines to HR in many companies, and can explain that even though you don't tick that specific box, you DO qualify for all the others. I would recommend throwing your hat into every ring that suits your interests. Typically, online applications look for a percentage of "right answers," and aren't constructed to ignore resumes that are missing one or two requirements. I've received interviews for (and turned down) jobs that require nearly a decade more experience than I have because I posses the other skills listed in the job description -- and I've been taught how to manipulate the algorithms, which truly is the key.
Carrie TopolskiEmpowering women and beyond!
2.34k
06/28/19 at 5:57PM UTC
Many companies will look at years of work experience in lieu of a degree. The key is getting in to talk to someone. Online applications are a huge downfall in my opinion. They are great for HR but I feel companies are missing out on some great opportunities because of a checkbox.
Anonymous
06/28/19 at 2:41AM UTC
state jobs allow for years experience to substitute for college degree
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