Degree Required ..... really?

PasturesNew

Just wondering your thoughts ...

Many jobs are advertised as indicating they are for graduates.

Now, I don't actually HAVE a degree....

I do have half a degree from the OU.
And now I have started my Masters Degree (in Management)

So .... while I appreciate that graduate recruiters want a degree, would it be over-cheeky of me to apply for those now I'm doing my Masters?

I would, of course, be targetting jobs for which I feel I have relevant industry experience and am fully capable of doing, so I wouldn't be applying for inappropriate positions.

Or what?

What's the feeling from "behind the scenes"?
Are they looking for "the bit of paper", or aptitude/attitude?

studentphil

I think employers assume a degree brings higher skills and intelligence and that is why they want graduates. What a degree really does for you is debateable.

Horace

Apply, I don't have a degree and have even landed jobs in the past where they have specifically asked for one.

Please can someone tell my why a secretary needs a degree??

foreign_correspondent

yes, I would always say chance it and apply - many employers arent sticklers and studying for your masters should give you a certain degree of kudos! Many also say something like 'educated to degree level or equivalent' - these should be well worth trying for.
The exception would be where a job requires a professional qualification as an 'essential' rather than 'desirable' - eg if they are looking specifically for a qualified social worker or nurse then there is no point in appllying without the relevant qualifications!
good luck!
What are you studying for your masters in btw?

MushyPeas

I'd apply anyway, but I'd say that because I don't have a degree! Unless it's 'essential' on the job criteria it might not make too much of a difference. You never know until you apply.

Good luck with your masters

cazziebo

A requirement for a degree is only usually used to set the standard the job is at - rarely means you have to have one.

go for it! (and good luck with the masters!)

ormus

i know someone who has spent 30 yrs applying for and getting graduate level jobs, without a degree.
his attitude and experience, plus some blagging got him some well paid jobs.
interview skills are vital too. do some research on the company and have some really good questions to ask, ready.

if a cv is required first, then a well written cv is essential. the trick is to get to the interview. a follow up phone call is very helpful.
another mate once got a 30k job with a follow up call!

LittleVoice

Horace wrote: »

Please can someone tell my why a secretary needs a degree??

What do you do?

Whether a degree is appropriate depends on what "a secretary" actually does. It is such a broad description that it can be used (and is used) by someone who just about knows how to get text onto paper or by a people manager with extensive operational responsibilities.

Zebedee69

It depends on what type of job/industry your looking at.

If a company had the choice between someone with years of experience and someone fresh from Uni with no experience at all then they tend to go with experience.

Normally if a company what a degree what they realy mean is someone with a level of knowledge/intelligence and a good work ethic (people with degrees normally had to work hard to organise money, life not to mention the studying).

In my work there are alot of ambulance people with the qualifications but lacking the chilled out, friendly attitude and experience needed. Most interviewers tend to look for experience and that attitude first and quals come second. The catch 22 is that the relaxed attitude comes with the experience ha ha!

moosetastic

another thing to remember is that some posts are advertised with minimum requirements of degrees or minimum 3 years experience for work permit purposes. Its not that the employer really needs it, but has to have these things in the advert to meet the work permit criteria if they wish to hire a foreign national.

dmg24

Is the application form going to take you long to complete? If not, or if it is a case of submitting a cv that you have already done, then I would say go for it.

If it is going to take you a day to complete, then I would give HR a call first. Some companies will do an initial sift, and disgard any applications that do not have the minimum requirements.

What kind of work is it? Strictness of criteria does seem to vary from industry to industry, and also according to the size of the organisation.

Also, are you referring to a graduate level job, or a graduate scheme? I would say that you are more likely to be successful with the former.