Interviewing
Texas Gal
5 Posts
Hello everyone. This is a wonderful forum. I've spent some time reading and you all seem to be very supportive of one another and so passionate about what you do. I'm very impressed with the magnitude of your profession. If I had the means I'd make sure each of you had a lifetime supply of aspirin!
My question concerns my current job search and educational background. Recently I've begun my search in the vast job market and need a little advice. I have a GED and several years as a call center CSR and supervisor. I left that job (Loved it and miss it so much!...sorry had to pout for a moment)for a position in a small office much closer to home. I regretted it from day one but stuck it out for 1.5 years. I can't believe I wasted so much time!
I've been on several interviews over the past few weeks and have been offered a few positions. For various reasons I have declined them (low pay, evening hours [children=day or overnight hours], no challange and so forth). The positions I really liked were the ones where once I make it through the 1st 2nd and sometimes 3rd interview I am told I don't qualify for because I don't have any college behind me. Going back to school costs money and I need money coming in not going out. So going back isn't an option right now.
Questions:
Why would an employer have me interview multiple times for the same position and then reject me because of the education factor when I've clearly stated on the application that I only have a GED? In several interviews I've been asked where I went to school and then everything spirals downhill. I've gotten various comments like.....I assumed you had much more education.....You should take some classes as a matter of fact you should probably teach some classes!...or I would have never suspected you didn't have an extensvie education....but no matter how positive or flattering the comments the interview ends with "will call you" and they don't.
I've designed my resume to read "licenses" instead of "education" and I haven't applied to any positions that state a college degree is needed. Should I specifically state on my resume that I only have a GED?
Is there some other way I can address this issue or another approach I should use?
My question concerns my current job search and educational background. Recently I've begun my search in the vast job market and need a little advice. I have a GED and several years as a call center CSR and supervisor. I left that job (Loved it and miss it so much!...sorry had to pout for a moment)for a position in a small office much closer to home. I regretted it from day one but stuck it out for 1.5 years. I can't believe I wasted so much time!
I've been on several interviews over the past few weeks and have been offered a few positions. For various reasons I have declined them (low pay, evening hours [children=day or overnight hours], no challange and so forth). The positions I really liked were the ones where once I make it through the 1st 2nd and sometimes 3rd interview I am told I don't qualify for because I don't have any college behind me. Going back to school costs money and I need money coming in not going out. So going back isn't an option right now.
Questions:
Why would an employer have me interview multiple times for the same position and then reject me because of the education factor when I've clearly stated on the application that I only have a GED? In several interviews I've been asked where I went to school and then everything spirals downhill. I've gotten various comments like.....I assumed you had much more education.....You should take some classes as a matter of fact you should probably teach some classes!...or I would have never suspected you didn't have an extensvie education....but no matter how positive or flattering the comments the interview ends with "will call you" and they don't.
I've designed my resume to read "licenses" instead of "education" and I haven't applied to any positions that state a college degree is needed. Should I specifically state on my resume that I only have a GED?
Is there some other way I can address this issue or another approach I should use?
Comments
Great question. Made me think alot about my interviewing/hiring/rejection style.
My guess is that your experience and obvious drive get you through the initial interviews. For whatever reason, you haven't been hired for certain positions. Don't let that get you down. Any desirable position is bound to have a high number of applicants.
When it comes time for them to turn you down, its possible that your lack of college is an easy way out. Its not personal and its hard for you to argue with them about it. This is just speculation.
An ideal job for you would be one where your employer would assist you in pursuing a college degree. You might ask in your next interviews whether the employer has a program for employee education. (Caution: don't bring this up early in the interview. Wait until the interviewer asks if you have any questions.)
If you found a job where they would pay for all or part of your secondary education, you might want to take it even if its not your first choice. Put in your time. Get your degree. Then, go get your dream job!
Stay positive! The dissapointments of the past will make the victories of the future that much sweeter.
[email]paulknoch@hotmail.com[/email]
I would not build my resume or application to point out "I ONLY HAVE A GED". In your cover letter: I see where you are interviewing for XYZ, well look no further, I am your person. I am here and ready with the experience necessary to take your position to greater levels of professionalism. That statement is the exact statement used by me to land my present position. In your interviews you should be putting the company interview persons on the spot quickly to make sure they have a history of development of their personnel from within. How many positions are filled from within; does the company provide education asistance to those needing special education to do certain work; or does the need for college education drive the decision process in this company.
In each of those thoughts you see I would have to respond that we respect "actual doing" greater than we do college degrees. A college degree is not the means to an end. In our Manager in Training program we put both the college degreed and GED and drop outs in the same program. The adult "drop out" has a greater appreciation for the need to personally produce something of value in oder to make it as a successful manager. It would not surprise me that the outcome in comparsion over the long haul will be that the "drop Out" will either be the very best or he/she will be a "drop out". I have had master degreed graduates "drop out" because they could not take the hard physical work required to be a success in our business. I have had college graduates "drop out" because they finally woke up and discovered that this field of vocation is not where I really want to be. The GED person is usually the one that will be here for the long haul and will produce greater results. Again, all of the above does not fit in every situation. Good luck, I hope this has helped. Pork
I know it gets frustrating but don't give up! The right position will come along. It was also mentioned that there are a number of applicants for every position announced. I can assure you this is the case. Find something that puts you above the rest and taylor it to the company and position you're applying for. Good luck!
I would never waste my (or the applicants) time on a second interview if I wasn't truly interested in the candidate. My guess is that they had two qualified candidates for the position and, unfortunately, you lost out because the other candidate probably had some formal education.
Don't put you only have a GED on your resume. You might want to attach a letter of recommendation from one or two of your former employers to your resume as a testimonial of your skills. Don't get discouraged, someone will recognize your value.
I canot offer any advice that has not been posted already, but I can say that I agree with the others. Don't let the process get you down. You indictated that you are not applying to positions that state "college degree required" and you are being honest in your resume. Interviewing is tough - I live in Texas as well, and with the amount of layoffs we have been having, there are a lot of qualified people looking for jobs. Keep your chin up and the right one will come along.
I've decided to go with an employment agency called Appleone.
I interviewed there yeaaterday and went back today to discuss my tests scores.
I surprised myself and impressed them so that in itself was a good feed for
my narcissistic side! Again...thank you.
>educational assistance? Something tells me you didn't ask. Oh well,
>not all my brilliant suggestions are used.
What they'll do is place me (help me find a position) in a company I like. One of the things I will be looking for is education assistance.
I have cut my use of placement agencies way down for a couple of reasons. Cost is one. The large number of applicants available to me is another. A third is that I found agencies often send applicants that are way off the mark for the position, a waste of time and frustrating to me and disappointing to the applicant. (I think some of them believe if they throw enough up against the wall, one will stick.)
Bottom line, keep looking on your own. Don't close any doors. Good Luck! x:D
It still just amazes me what some people think of as good customer service (she says shaking her head and wondering if there is another beer left in the fridge to dull the memories). I think I've probably seen and heard some of the worst customer service on Earth. These same people who anger every customer they talk to seem to have problems in every other area of their lives as well.
My promise to each and every HR person in the vast universe......I promise not to let my sons grow up to be whinny victimized over sensitive slackers. Cross my heart.
Tammy Steadman
Everyone is right about continuing your own job search, but signing up with the search firm was an excellent idea. While I didn't use them a lot, I did on occasion use them and have clients who use them regularly. I also had one headhunter find me a great job. Open as many doors as possible. That's the secret to finding what you want. Good luck!
Margaret Morford
theHRedge
615-371-8200
[email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
[url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]