spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 So, I am considering starting to look for another job. The Jack thing is getting to be too pathetic and painful, and a transfer within the company, which is what I'd prefer, is looking unlikely - my time has been allocated within my current department through 2012. For reasons I don't feel like getting into here, I still have not graduated from college. Jobs comparable to mine require a degree. More importantly, they require skills, experience, and passage of exams, which are usually aqcuired after graduation. I am probably the only person in this industry who has the latter three requirements, without the first. I am wondering what the probability is that a prospctive employer would actually verify my graduation, given that I have the kind of experience and the exams they are looking for. And if they did, could I ever find another job?
Lauriebell82 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Some of the time they will require you bring in a copy of your degree or ask for copies of transcripts. That's what my past employer did. So, yes, they do verify. I would not lie about it at all. Suggestion though: You can put on your resume that you have completed some of the college credits (if you have). You could list the school you went to and the years you went there. Then you can put "degree earned: In progress"
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 Yah, I wouldn't want to lie. My plan is to put down the school and the years attended. However, due to my experience I think graduation would be implied if I did that. I doubt that anyone would ask me to bring in a copy of my degree, or any transcripts. However, I have heard of employers contacting the university or looking up names from a list of grads as standard practice. If they did that, they would probably think I was trying to be deceptive. Alternately I could be upfront, but in this economy, I don't think I'd be able to find another job that way. I am wondering if these concerns should stop me from trying. I don't want to burn any bridges as this is a small industry, but I am miserable working for Jack.
anne1707 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Employers can ask for copies of certificates (I know that I have had to provide them in the past) and if you have implied that you have a degree and they then find you haven't, they would probably then start to question other details in your application. I know I would so whilst I understand that you are qualified by experience, be very careful on how you detail your qualifications.
allina Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Yes they almost always check. They even have programs that verify that an individual graduated from the college and with the degree that they say they did.
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 Ugh... so I can't ever find a new job? That is so depressing.
anne1707 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Is it possible for you to complete your degree part-time whilst you work?
sb129 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 IME- yes they would check. As 2sunny said- its pretty easy and quick to verify someones qualifications these days. Your resume is just part of the equation. Finishing college part time would certainly give you more options.
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 Is it possible for you to complete your degree part-time whilst you work? My degree is actually already completed, I just have some non-academic bars on my record right now. I can take care of them and apply for readmission and graduation in absentia, but I've missed the deadline for Fall 09, so it would have to be Spring '10. However, I don't want to wait that long to start looking for another job. I guess I can explain all this in a cover letter, and get the university to back up my story, but I feel like that might be too much baggage for an employer to swallow, in this economy.
sb129 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Well then you'll either have to take your chances or just suck it up and stay in your current position. Which will look better on your resume anyway- leaving a job after less than a year for personal reasons doesn't look so good.
oasis Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 As someone who works in personnel and have had to request degrees, I have requested a copy of the degree ONLY if in fact, a degree has been indicated on the application. And in our case, that is after the person had been offered the position and is now going through the appointment phase of the process.
anne1707 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Sorry but with being from England, I do not fully understand the US education system - does that mean you can graduate in Spring? If that is the case, that is really not that long so go for that whilst you look for a job. Just make it clear to employers what you are doing.
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 Well then you'll either have to take your chances or just suck it up and stay in your current position. Which will look better on your resume anyway- leaving a job after less than a year for personal reasons doesn't look so good. It's been almost a year and a half, and counting.
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 I know, it's not so long. Not in the grand scheme of things. But should I start looking now, explaining that I will be graduated Spring '10? Or start looking after, when I won't have to explain anything?
anne1707 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 I don't see the harm in starting now. You might be a better prospect after you graduate but if you wait until then, you might miss a good opportunity in the meantime. At the least, you can look upon it as a chance to practice your applications/interview skills. What have you got to lose? As for a year and half in your job - at your age, that should not be a problem.
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 What have you got to lose? QUOTE] I want to stay in my field, in this area, which means that my options as far as employers go are pretty limited. I don't want to send out my resume everywhere, only to get rejected cause of the degree thing, when I wouldn't have any issues in May.
anne1707 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Fair enough. I am in a specialised sector so I understand the dilemma. I know the Jack thing is really hard for you but do you think you can get through another 8 months or so if you throw yourself into sorting out your degree and maybe any other projects which could strengthen your CV? You could start looking when your graduation is imminent.
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 Fair enough. I am in a specialised sector so I understand the dilemma. I know the Jack thing is really hard for you but do you think you can get through another 8 months or so if you throw yourself into sorting out your degree and maybe any other projects which could strengthen your CV? You could start looking when your graduation is imminent. Of course, I can. I want out asap, but if asap is best accomplished via waiting, I can wait. I can suck it up for 8 more months while I get my s!ht together. I've been sucking it up for a year and a half, and it's always getting simultaneously easier and harder; but time goes by so fast, that I know I can wait. I just hope that he's still single, in May. My dream of getting married and bearing his children isn't dead, yet.
anne1707 Posted October 3, 2009 Posted October 3, 2009 Oh Spookie no! I have just told Wuggle what you said - you know better than that. Focus on yourself and getting out of this situation. I understand this more than most here. I have been working with the ex-OM for over a year but in a senior role and in a specialised sector and in this economic climate, the jobs are just not there. But the right job will come up for both of us.
Author spookie Posted October 3, 2009 Author Posted October 3, 2009 Oh Spookie no! I have just told Wuggle what you said - you know better than that. Focus on yourself and getting out of this situation. I understand this more than most here. I have been working with the ex-OM for over a year but in a senior role and in a specialised sector and in this economic climate, the jobs are just not there. But the right job will come up for both of us. Ex-OM? That's tough.... I feel for you. Have you been looking for another job?
anne1707 Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 Oh yes! Some have come up but too far away - there is no way that I would take a job that means I would have to stay away from home during the week. I know some have said just leave but then my reputation within the sector would be destroyed - we all know our equivalents in other companies. But if I can do it and if Wuggle can cope with it then you can get through this too Spookie.
Author spookie Posted October 4, 2009 Author Posted October 4, 2009 Oh yes! Some have come up but too far away - there is no way that I would take a job that means I would have to stay away from home during the week. I know some have said just leave but then my reputation within the sector would be destroyed - we all know our equivalents in other companies. But if I can do it and if Wuggle can cope with it then you can get through this too Spookie. thanks... i guess it helps to know we are all msierable together.
SadandConfusedWA Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 Spookie, have you considered the possibility that Jack won't be interested even after you get another job and then you will just never see him again? Can you cope with that?
Zeta4PhiSius Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 You should list all details - ESPECIALLY THAT YOU HAVE NOT YET GRADUATED. A college education is still valuable, and if a substantial percentage of the degree has been completed, I'm sure that will be a plus. Also, you should start looking after you've graduated. The degree will open up a thousand doors that were once closed. However, if you become one of those lying, cheating scum that lie about their degree to get ahead, I really REALLY hope karma comes back to bite you in the @$$ on that one. I also hope you can handle the fallout when your employer finds out that you lied about something. Good luck.
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