Applying for a job where degree is needed but you do not have one :



There will many times when some aspects in your CV will be less than the requirements of the job you would love to take up. So what would you do? Give it up? Absolutely not.


Keep in mind this universal secret about a job : there is absolutely no perfect fit for anyone to any job. There is always a bit plus and minus and that is why the interviews usually take place -- to actually find out how much of the plus and minus there is, so the employer can make an informed decision.


So you have no degree. Okay. Let us focus on what you do have. What do you have that can compensate for the lack of degree and that which the company would count as a balancing benefit?


Additional skills : Do you have any additional skills that pertain to the job? Have you undergone any special skills training program? Are your talents pertaining to the overall goal of the company? Then by all means write them down in the CV first.


Additional experience : Do you have a long and accentuated experience which has put you in the league of experts? Write and offer them references for the purpose. In many cases experience far supersedes qualifications; hence put your best foot forward and apply.


Special personality traits : Are you an artist by birth? Is acting a second nature to you? Are you a born leader? These all are personality traits that can stand you in good stead when you apply for those trait-specific jobs. In this case, you will definitely get preference over people who are more qualified and more experienced than you. Be sure you highlight your traits properly and that those that are highlighted exactly match the requirements of the job (otherwise it will dilute your case still further, labeling you as totally misfit for the job)


Avoid the educational column altogether : Alot of people who are uncomfortable writing 'undergraduate' on their CVs, can simply omit the column of education altogether. However, this will not be questioned much in the CV when the other skills and traits draw the attention of the employer away from the need to know the qualifications.


Half truths : Another way, but highly unadvisable, is to state that you have started the course but do not mention if you have finished it or not. While this tactic may get to the interview table, it will not hold water when asked, and the trick is seldom seen kindly by the employer. Hence, the best policy is indeed to tell the truth.


A degree is very important nowadays, true, - however, there are a lot of other qualities that can overshadow the need of the degree. Be confident when you state your special qualifications and skills and learn to draw away the attention of the interviewer from the need to know about your qualifications. This needs a lot of preparation both at a personal level as well as a company level.




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