How will employers think of additional OU deg

smallpurplepill

Hey all

As employers/recruiters (if you are) how would you view someone who had completed an 'additional' Open University (OU) degree further to their previous uni level study?

Or has anyone else done this and how were you received?

Short version of history:

• Left school 1999 - GCSEs and A levels.
• Worked in retail initially for a few months, typical 'school leaver' job, originally planned for this to be a gap year and apply to brick unis the next year, but then changed plans to study with OU instead starting 2001, also started first "career" job (full time in the sort of work I wanted to do) at this time.
• Started OU study, graduated with BA(hons) 2003.
• Continued with OU in different subject area, MSc 2005.
• Worked throughout this time, since starting job in 2001 have had continuous employment and worked up salary wise.
• Took some OU courses 'for interest' initially in around 2007 to keep occupied but subsequently decided to make them count towards something so putting them towards another degree (BSc) - already have combined them into a Diploma in this area and due to complete this degree next year by doing the 2 remaining compulsory courses (both Level 1)

Current employment and most of history is generally related to my current area of study (but broader rather than a specialist).

My concern now is that if I actually claim the degree I will now absurdly become a "new" graduate having graduated 2010/11 despite 12 years of work experience in 'good' jobs (of course this is relative!)

Or would I be better not to claim the degree as such (or to leave off the dates from the CV) and just mention that the courses have been taken.

As I am currently employed it's not an immediate concern for finding a job but of course need to be mindful of redundancies etc still (have only been at this job 6 months or so due to redundancies at last place!) and need to make decisions as to taking courses to finish the degree - as they are 'only' Level 1 and I have already studied beyond this, there isn't any point spending the £800 or whatever as I would be doing them purely for the degree, if I won't accept it.

Or is there a way I can rewrite the CV to make it more employer friendly - currently I have sections like
Personal info
Education & training
Skills & personal qualities
Employment history
'Hobbies and interests' etc

Any comments/opinions appreciated, thank you!

CIS

It certainly shows commitment to do extra work to achieve extra qualifications and will look good alongside your current experience as it shows that you are willing to continue to learn and develop yourself.

liney

Simply start your CV with Employment History, and add the new degree to Education which should follow. I would mention your enjoyment of study in your personal profile and explain the resulting second degree.

I really do not see how this would hinder you: you will still have your work related experience.

T800

I think it would look very impressive to have achieved two ug degrees. Particularly if they are in different areas. Guess the only drawback is being too academic and therefore overqualified for some jobs.

pandora205

Is it possible to summarise your degrees in some way, e.g. BA (Hons) in social sciences, which could discriminate the two?