Should I hide my education?

[jpg7n16]

Do you personally offer ANYTHING and EVERYTHING an employer could view as unfavorable on your resume?

Anything and everything highly relevant yes. Good or bad.

Relevant:
Recent work history - experience history
Related job skills - qualifications
College history (including GPA) - education history

What else would there be?

Irrelevant:
Where I worked mowing lawns in high school
Elementary school attendance record
Status of traffic tickets (I've never received a traffic ticket, but that information is useless)
SAT scores


I would think that master's degrees would be relevant. Especially, if the reason for not being hired is that the degrees were there.

Clearly, it's relevant to the employer - and therefore misleading to not show it.

[MonkeyMama]

I wholly agree with leaving off education on a resume. Certainly no one said don't get an advanced degree. But, yes, there are cases (like this economy) where it will work against you.

I've completely been there with my spouse. You can debate this all day, but when it comes to supporting your family, I don't really give a flip about 100% honesty when employers treat you unfairly and won't give you the time of day because you have a degree. To ignore that means we should just be unemployed and starving rather than downplay our education. I Can't agree with that. My spouse is an EXCELLENT employee - so it's only their loss when employers profile and judge so strictly.

[Snodog]

Anything and everything highly relevant yes. Good or bad.

Well then congratulations your the only person I know who is so honest that they even put bad things on their resume!

[DebbieL]

Or so stupid...

[Scanner]

I guess I didn't get a chance to elaborate on my Degree Prejudice.

Here's the thing. . .if you approached me for a front desk position (assistant) that involves mostly mundane clerical work and good customer service/phone skills AND you had an advanced degree in Genetics. . .here is the only way I would entertain hiring you:

If you said, "I can see you need someone who is a self-starter and can jump in and figure things out without you doing a lot of training since Crystal just left you 2 weeks ago. I know and you know with my Genetics degree, it's highly doubtful I'll be here when the economy recovers.

That being said, I am willing to commit to you for a year (or even 6 months). I'll even sign a contract that says I need to give you 90 days notice before leaving.

Or we can just operate on a handshake.

Whatever you are comfortable with."

You see. . .now as prejudiced as I am on this subject, I may bite on that kind of a thoughtful offer instead of just sitting there through an interview and asking questions and saying things that cutesy internet articles tell you to say.

The problem has become in America is most people think of jobs as an entitlement. When is Obama going to create jobs? Obama needs to create jobs. I need a job.

Well, it ISN'T about what YOU need.

It's about what my business needs. What my customers need. If you can provide that, then I am open to that.

My customers don't need a person to plop at the front desk while sifting through Monster Dot Com for the first available Geneticist job open, get to know you and like you, and then be ditched.

It's either that. . .or just hide the degree.

If you have some fancy MBA or something, it may be better to chalk up such degrees as a "lesson learned" in money and time often misspent and realizing the Education Sector is a business and they are in the business of selling degrees.

[jpg7n16]

So Scanner - what you're saying is that, you would prefer an applicant with an advanced degree in genetics to hide that information from you, so that when it comes down to you making a decision between her and another applicant (without that degree) you could be setup to make a poor decision due to her intentionally misleading you?

An applicant with a degree in genetics who puts it on their resume is just as likely to leave your company as an applicant with a degree in genetics who hides that from you.

So as a business owner, you would prefer to unknowingly hire someone with that degree, than just have them be upfront about it?

If you as a business owner would prefer that they disclose that information, why would you advocate for an applicant to hide it?? After all - it's not about what they need. It's what your business needs. Right?


A good friend of mine also mentioned that several employment applications specifically ask for highest degree obtained. If you've obtained a master's and put down your bachelor's as the highest degree you've obtained, that could qualify you for immediate dismissal - or jeopardize your position if uncovered in a background check. Congrats.


I'm not sure if you guys think I'm saying to highlight your extensive criminal record on the front page of your resume or not... not sure why it's so 'stupid' to be honest on a resume.

A resume should show your work experience (with dates of employment), education history, and qualifications. No more, no less. You don't need to put 'fired for being lazy' just like you don't need to put 'received a raise of $X but kept the same position.' Salary shouldn't be on a resume, good or bad. (and if they ask you about it in an interview, you should be honest) Reason for terminating employment shouldn't be on there either. (and if they ask you about it in an interview, you should be honest)


So maybe I am stupid for putting it all out there and being honest and all. But I've always received an offer for any position I've interviewed for. So it's worked fine for me so far.

[shengmei]

The part about putting it in my cover letter that I would be willing to sign a contract is GENIUS. Thank you very much!!!!!

[cschin4]

If you said, "I can see you need someone who is a self-starter and can jump in and figure things out without you doing a lot of training since Crystal just left you 2 weeks ago. I know and you know with my Genetics degree, it's highly doubtful I'll be here when the economy recovers.

I can't imagine any WORSE statement than saying something like this in an interview. But, really, employers need to get a grip as well. People are there "until". No matter who you hire or why, you don't know how long anyone is going to remain in your employment. There are lots and lots of reasons why people move on. And, someone of a lesser degree isn't any less likely to move on either. If someone is motivated and applies for the job, they probably want the job and plan to work there "until" and that applies to everyone, not just someone with a degree. And, unless there is a signed contract, that's it. People come and go. That is life. An employer obviously wants to hire someone to stay on and be trained but it is curious that they are afraid or intimidated to take on someone who is "overqualified". You would think demonstrating that they have completed a degree or whatever would be some indication that they can do something and stick with it. And, why not have as many highly educated people around you as possible?

[frugalgirl]

I have been reading this thread with great interest. I am also one of these overqualified people that cannot get hired for permanent positions because of my advanced degree. Luckily, I don't need to have full-time employment to meet any financial obligations.

I have been able to find some short-term or seasonal jobs unrelated to my field. In each case, I have astonished my bosses by how much more competently and effectively I have been able to do my job compared to the "average hire" who has the requisite skills. Also, in each case, there has always been someone, a co-worker or supervisor, who was extremely threatened by how well I was able to do my job. I literally felt punished more than once for going beyond the low expectations of the job. I wonder how much feeling threatened by a potential hire weighs into the hiring decision?

Being overqualified did have its frustrations which is why I always tried to challenge myself by doing more. Experienced hiring managers know that this is common and is certainly a reason they give for not hiring people like me. However, I really think they overlook the benefit they could gain by hiring someone who genuinely wants the job, is not looking to move on, and who will out-perform the average employee. I suppose they can't just take my word for it when I say that I really do just want the job and will stay put....

[DebbieL]

That's because most people with an advanced degree would be looking to move the moment something more suited to their education (and most likely a lot higher paying) came up. I know I would. They are dealing with the odds, and the odds are that someone with an advanced degree isn't going to be satisfied and stay at a much lesser position. That's why I just wouldn't mention it if would hurt my odds of being hired.

[cschin4]

I think the biggest problem with "overqualified" people is they sometimes carry the air of being too good to do certain "menial" tasks. If you are too good to take out the trash, then you are too "good" to work anywhere. Most employers just want someone who is going to do the job and not complain. And, if you give the idea that you are too smart, too intelligent, too gifted or whatever to do certain things, you aren't going to get hired. I think if you give off the notion that you have committed to live in this town because yo love the town and your spouse has a stable job, i think you can find people to listen.
I think you can make them aware of your degree as a point of your resume, but certainly not launch into irrelevant stuff like your master's thesis and research or whatever or what particular area of that you studied, etc. I would just convince them that having a degree is an asset as it has taught you organizational, writing skills , completing deadlines, etc and leave it at that. But, i would not hide it.
If they ask, you say as above and then move on to the next question don't allow them to dwell on it.

[DebbieL]

I think her resume probably gets chucked the minute they see the degrees when she's applying for these "lesser" positions. I would only include it if it is of some relevance to the job.

[Scanner]

I actually, as a small business employer, don't see hiding your degree as dishonest.

A Resume is not a CV. . .it's a "summary" into 1 page (preferrably) of key points of how you would fit the position.

Like me, for instance, let's say I want to leave private practice and apply for a job as a Radiology Dept. Manager for a hospital. With my RT(R) and CT certification, along with my higher education, I would stress those along with my small business experience of hiring and firing, managing inventory and payroll, etc. (would have to think about it. . .I am doing this off the cuff).

I would omit the continuing education I had in Science Based Nutrition. It's just irrelevant.

The same for my front desk assistant - her credential of Genetics is irrelevant so I don't see it as germane.

What is hard to explain is "Gaps" though. . .with work history so yes, I am seeing a hard way getting around of "Well, Mary. . .what have you been doing with yourself the last 5 years?"

I certainly don't care she was a lifeguard at a community pool in 1997 but I am wondering where her brain has been the last 2 years.

I thought I could reach a compromise here where I didn't necessarily just toss her Resume into the trash - an offer, a cover letter stating she would consider a contract of some sort where she would serve me, maybe even offer ideas on how to improve the position, make it better and more efficient before she left.

I'd be like, "Wow. . .I never thought of that."

Because I know the average turnover for a front desk position is 2 years anyway. Some stay 5 years, some stay 5 weeks. That's just an industry average.
I wouldn't at least just toss it in the trash thinking, "What's a geneticist doing applying for a front desk assistant position?"

Because most people just want a "Job". . .just to come in and turn their screwdriver and when the 5:00 whistle blows, they drop the screwdriver on the ground. That's what I deal with when I don't hire the Geneticist.

My main complaint for that position is every woman (never had a male) who applies for this position says the same thing:

"What would you consider your strengths, Mary?"

"Well, I am very organized."

I think "Great. . .organize me." (I actually do need someone to organize me and I am willing to let her be the nerve center)

Well, come to find out, they don't really have organizational skills (this I find is like a lot of men saying they are good in bed) - what they want is for me to organize them, so they can be organized, and then be happy that everything is organized and they just like to keep it organized.

In other words, it's all up to me. Someone like a geneticist may or may not possess this. I would be more inclined to take direction from an MBA though.

[Scanner]

Can I speak frankly? (I always do)

I actually have learned that people really do possess different skill and strength sets and it is fascinating, like children, to watch employees develop even into the most mundane positions.

I have had maybe 10 assistants over the years.

My favorite story is the story of Crystal (years ago). I hired Crystal because she seemed like a match and she was eager to learn. She has been a SAHM for years and mostly, I'd rather work with "raw material" than premolded material (a geneticist). Chiropractic practice is different than medical practice so premolded medical assistants don't often work well. The closest I can think of is it's close to being a Dental practice.

So, she's on 90 day probation. 60 days go by and she's not getting it. I have to tell her everything, I mean EVERYTHING, of what to do. She was so nice and sweet and I admit, I was thinking of firing her at 90 days with a "This just isn't working out" speech. I remember I asked her to write a note to a patient that her orthotics were in and the letter looked horrible. Misspelling, no paragraphs, it was barely comprehensible.

I really thought high school had failed her.

But I just changed my management style. . .I went from Macromanage to Micromanage with her. I micromanaged everything she did, from watering the plants to reconciling the daily deposits.

At the end, I did keep her on.

You want to know something? Crystal had a knack (and no other assistant has ever had this) for drumming up business. She was like the "Bird Dog" you never had to train. . .she probably over 3 years she was with me referred internally and externally 10 new patients. You want to know how many all other 9 had referred in in total: 1.

Yeah, you could say, "Well, it's not part of the position." but you know what? It's something every [good] employer should say, "Marketing/sales is part of every position." That's something most people just ignore as new age piffle when you tell them that though. They think all they have to do is "be nice."

So, I am wise enough to know that there may be a hidden gem beneath the surface. I told her when she left she would be wise to pursue sales.

Truth is I often have to pick the good out of many goods. . .so it's nothing personal when I hire or fire you.

Hopefully you have gained some insight to a small business owner. . .HR people are probably a different lot psychologically.

[cschin4]

You want a new person to "organize" you and tell you what to do? Sorry, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. You can give the direction on how you want things organized, etc but i don't see how some new person coming into an organization is going to just do that without your input.