Are you ready to launch a job search but are worried you will be overlooked for new opportunities because you don’t have a college degree? Are you afraid your resume will be rejected by hiring decision makers simply based on the fact you have no degree? If so, I’d like to provide you with some information that may help eliminate your concerns.
Many people across the globe never earned college degrees for various reasons… life got in the way or at the time they were simply more interested in establishing their career. Whatever the reason, remember the majority of companies and hiring decision makers are far more interested in your ability to help their company generate revenue, save money, and contribute to their company rather than you having a college degree.
Here are some strategies that work very well for job candidates who don’t have a college degree.
- Vigorously pursue professional training! Earn professional certifications that are related to your professional field. What are coveted certifications for your industry? Invest the time and money to pursue relevant certifications. Consider approaching your employer to see if they will finance the certification programs for you.
- Attend professional conferences, seminars, workshops, and other training opportunities. Incorporate this information into your resume. Aggressively pursue training through these avenues. If you are not a member of professional organizations, I recommend you join significant organizations and take advantage of their training programs.
- Read books related to your professional field. It is not common for a professional resume to list books, but it is a small way to combat lack of a college degree. If you have read scores of business books, you might want to incorporate some of this information into your resume.
- Attend online training opportunities, even if the course is simply a one hour program.
- Consider pursuing a new degree or perhaps completing an unfinished degree via online universities such as Phoenix University.
- Remember you have already been working for many years, and you have been hired by several employers in the past despite a lack of college education.
- Apply to jobs even if a job ad says, “Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in XYZ.” Keep in mind that job descriptions are simply the employers’ “wish list.”
- Never stretch the truth about your education. If you don’t have a degree, be honest. More job candidates lie about their lack of education than any other topic in their resume. It’s not worth the risk… ever.
- Focus your resume and other marketing documents on your accomplishments. Demonstrate precisely what you have accomplished for other employers, and illustrate the value you bring to the table. Employers are always interested to know how you can generate revenue or save money for them. This will supersede a college degree.
Also, consider highly successful people that never completed college. To name a few: Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Steve Jobs, Ted Turner, Tom Hanks, Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many others. This never stopped them from career success!
I am not denying the fact that you could possibly be rejected for an interview based on the fact you did not earn a college degree. However, I know that the majority of hiring decision makers are more interested in your past accomplishments.
I challenge you to consider professional training development programs you can easily pursue to enhance your educational background. Remember, you are a very talented professional and have always landed job opportunities in the past.
If you need assistance with your professional resume, I’d be happy to discuss this with you. Contact me, JoAnn Nix, Certified Professional Resume Writer at 1-800-265-6901 or via e-mail at info@agreatresume.com.
This article is copyrighted and cannot be used without written permission from JoAnn Nix.
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