At a crossroad
Discussion
Hi guys looking for some guidance or suggestions if at all possible.
To cut a long story short left school with my GCSE's but chose to not go to college or university.
I started working for a small company in 2009 and basically progressed through the ranks.
About two years ago I was offered the role of Operations manager. Unfortunately the work has now started to dry up and I have now got to try and find another job.
Now I am finding it quiet hard to find any jobs which don't require any sort of degree or qualification. I feel I am best suited to people management and I thoroughly enjoy motivating members of a team and organising operations of business and would like to do a role similar to what I am currently doing.
My options are keep applying for certain jobs similar to what I have been recently doing which require experience only. Or apply for a job with less responsibility and try and get some qualifications.
Unfortunately I have a mortgage now and can’t go into full time education so need to take an evening course or an apprenticeship.
Any comment or suggestions would be really appreciated.
Scott.
To cut a long story short left school with my GCSE's but chose to not go to college or university.
I started working for a small company in 2009 and basically progressed through the ranks.
About two years ago I was offered the role of Operations manager. Unfortunately the work has now started to dry up and I have now got to try and find another job.
Now I am finding it quiet hard to find any jobs which don't require any sort of degree or qualification. I feel I am best suited to people management and I thoroughly enjoy motivating members of a team and organising operations of business and would like to do a role similar to what I am currently doing.
My options are keep applying for certain jobs similar to what I have been recently doing which require experience only. Or apply for a job with less responsibility and try and get some qualifications.
Unfortunately I have a mortgage now and can’t go into full time education so need to take an evening course or an apprenticeship.
Any comment or suggestions would be really appreciated.
Scott.
Edited by 1scott12007 on Thursday 20th November 20:21
Better placed will post on this but if it helps many positions say "Must have degree in X, Y or Z". In the experience of many I have spoken to ignore it. Unless the role really does require a degree (Dr, Solicitor, etc) it seems that it's really just shorthand for "Something that suggests that you are qualified to do the job."
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
Rude-boy said:
Better placed will post on this but if it helps many positions say "Must have degree in X, Y or Z". In the experience of many I have spoken to ignore it. Unless the role really does require a degree (Dr, Solicitor, etc) it seems that it's really just shorthand for "Something that suggests that you are qualified to do the job."
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
There is some truth in this statement. Essentially, apply for those roles you think you can do and will enjoy; no harm in that. Worst they can do is not filter you in. On the other hand they might; you have to be in it to win it! Good luck!Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
As has been said above your experience will help a lot. However, you need to be extra sharp with the presentation and content of your CV and covering letter. I know people moan a lot about how grammar and spelling don't matter, especially on the internet, but when you are at a bit of a disadvantage in the job market (as you are, unfortunately) you have one opportunity to impress - and that's with the bits of paper that go in front of the hiring manager.
Although it doesn't count for much, a degree does provide useful shorthand for "is able to string a couple of thoughts together and present them to others in an understandable fashion", and without that you have to work to provide that same impression.
Although it doesn't count for much, a degree does provide useful shorthand for "is able to string a couple of thoughts together and present them to others in an understandable fashion", and without that you have to work to provide that same impression.
Rude-boy said:
Better placed will post on this but if it helps many positions say "Must have degree in X, Y or Z". In the experience of many I have spoken to ignore it. Unless the role really does require a degree (Dr, Solicitor, etc) it seems that it's really just shorthand for "Something that suggests that you are qualified to do the job."
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the st applicants, no ?
KFC said:
Rude-boy said:
Better placed will post on this but if it helps many positions say "Must have degree in X, Y or Z". In the experience of many I have spoken to ignore it. Unless the role really does require a degree (Dr, Solicitor, etc) it seems that it's really just shorthand for "Something that suggests that you are qualified to do the job."
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the st applicants, no ?
I would have thought if they put a degree as "essential" then any sort of paper sift will sift out those without degrees.
daemon said:
KFC said:
Rude-boy said:
Better placed will post on this but if it helps many positions say "Must have degree in X, Y or Z". In the experience of many I have spoken to ignore it. Unless the role really does require a degree (Dr, Solicitor, etc) it seems that it's really just shorthand for "Something that suggests that you are qualified to do the job."
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the st applicants, no ?
I would have thought if they put a degree as "essential" then any sort of paper sift will sift out those without degrees.
Do I start at the bottom of a different company and put the effort and enthusiasm into my role and wait for potential promotions.
Or try and get some further qualifications while working in a stop gap job?
If the latter does anyone have any recommendations as which courses to probe into bearing in mind I would want a similar position I am currently in?
Really appreciate the opinions!
KFC said:
Rude-boy said:
Better placed will post on this but if it helps many positions say "Must have degree in X, Y or Z". In the experience of many I have spoken to ignore it. Unless the role really does require a degree (Dr, Solicitor, etc) it seems that it's really just shorthand for "Something that suggests that you are qualified to do the job."
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the st applicants, no ?
SteveS Cup said:
Unless a qualification is truly essential I guarantee most employers / recruiters will filter for experience first.
Nope, show me raw intelligence, positivity and a great attitude and it's worth more than experience at the level the OP is describing. Bright graduates can have a quick impact on organisations, keep them coming through as they develop and move on in their careers. Can you approach other companies in your industry directly, regardless of whether they are advertising jobs. Find the MD email details/linked in and make sure your CV covering note shows how you can be superb for their firm. Basically find compqanoes where you can work out by research that you should be ideal for.
truck71 said:
Nope, show me raw intelligence, positivity and a great attitude and it's worth more than experience at the level the OP is describing. Bright graduates can have a quick impact on organisations, keep them coming through as they develop and move on in their careers.
Having a degree isn't proof of any of the attributes you mention. My last 3 jobs have all stated degree requirement and arguably I have less/worse qualifications than the OP.
Also one thing we may be forgetting is that recruitment consultants want their commission so will push hard for OP if they think he will get the role, that can help a lot if you're bit getting cut through applying direct. Though appreciate some industries rely on agents less than others.
daemon said:
KFC said:
Rude-boy said:
Better placed will post on this but if it helps many positions say "Must have degree in X, Y or Z". In the experience of many I have spoken to ignore it. Unless the role really does require a degree (Dr, Solicitor, etc) it seems that it's really just shorthand for "Something that suggests that you are qualified to do the job."
Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?Yes there may be a few who will roll eyes and bin your CV muttering "What part of you need a degree did they not understand" but those will be the same sort of pillocks that throw any CV with less than a 1st Class honours degree in the bin at law firms, and consequently not worth wasting your shoe leather on attending an interview with in the first place.
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the st applicants, no ?
I would have thought if they put a degree as "essential" then any sort of paper sift will sift out those without degrees.
The only way to 100% ensure that you never improve is to keep doing what has always been done.
Time and again the "best of the best of the best (sir!)" in the class room are proven to be as much of a mixed bag as those who don't get that 1st Class degree. It is horses for courses I will grant you but being any good at your job is about many factors outside of pure academics.
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