In this day and age, most people consider a college degree as a prerequisite for jobs. But don't make the mistake of thinking you can't find work without a degree. There are other forms of education that could make you a desired candidate for almost any employer.
Before you learn more about alternative forms of education, you need to know one essential rule to finding a job without a degree - don't sell yourself short. Too many people assume no one will hire them because of their lack of higher education. But this is far from the truth.
If you don't apply for certain jobs because of your lack of degree, you miss out on opportunities. There are countless employers who are willing to hire employees without degrees. While the educational requirements heavily depend on your career, there's a good chance you can find the job you want without a degree.
So, when you're applying for work, keep an open mind. Don't let your educational background hold you back. Instead, follow the tips below to make yourself a competitive candidate for any job.
The way you write the education portion of your resume depends on the circumstances surrounding your education. For instance, you may have started coursework towards a degree but decided not to finish it. In this scenario, you have two options. The first is to include the anticipated finish date of your degree on your resume. But you should only do this if you intend to go through with it. Don't list an unrealistic end date, or you set yourself up for failure with a new employer.
If you made the decision not to return to school, you have another option. You can include your coursework on your resume, but don't list it as a completed degree. Mention the coursework you took and explain that the coursework was towards a degree. There's no need to include an explanation or other details; you may have a chance to explain yourself in an interview.
Whether you started towards a degree or never earned a single college credit, you can list professional Courses on your resume. This could be a leadership program, a coding boot camp, or any other course.
Including professional courses on your resume is beneficial for two reasons. First, it doesn't set off any red flags that would go off if you failed to include an education section. And secondly, it shows your value as an employee and your interest in furthering your skill set.
At times, professional courses combined with experience are more valuable than a college degree. Today, many college grads lack the hands-on experience that's necessary to succeed in the workplace.
In most industries, there are specific licenses or certifications needed for employees. While an employer is often willing to hire someone without those qualifications, they see it as a disadvantage. Somewhere down the line, the employer may need to provide time off or pay for the employee to receive the necessary licenses or certifications.
Although you might not have a college degree, your license could make you a top candidate for a position. In the world of IT, a PMP or Scrum Master certification can go a long way. Meanwhile, someone in real estate could benefit from having a real estate license.
In addition to including these details on your resume, be sure to highlight them. Rather than place them in the education section, list your certifications in their own section. Rank the certifications according to their relation to the job listing. This way, the hiring manager can't miss
them.
Certain career paths demand a college degree, and there's no way around the requirement. However, there are jobs that may allow you to substitute experience for education. You can be successful in your job search if you know how to showcase your assets on the resume.
Before you apply for a job, do some research. You won't be able to substitute experience for a degree if your goal is to become an occupational therapist or a doctor. If you're not familiar with the career or the role in a job listing, delve into the educational requirements. Is a degree necessary, or just preferred?
If there are people in the industry without degrees, you should consider applying for the job. There's a chance a hiring manager will see your value and choose you for your experience.
To really make your experience an asset, you need to edit your resume. Before you do that, think about specific details you can include to highlight your accomplishments. Did you surpass sales goals? No matter what industry you're in, there are ways to quantify your accomplishments. Write down a few of your proudest achievements, and include them on your resume.
If you want to draw attention to anything on your resume, place it first in its category. You may even want to bold a few words to catch the hiring manager's eye. Instead of focusing on your lack of education, the manager will think about everything you have to offer.
In the meantime, take every opportunity you can to add more to the education portion of your resume. There are thousands of online courses available on any given topic, and some of them are free. Pick one course, even if it's only a few hours long. Adding it to your resume can make all the difference.
Even if you don't have time for education, you can work on your confidence. It's not uncommon for people to miss out on jobs because their confidence gets the better of them. Use self-affirmations to improve your confidence and remind yourself of your own worth. Despite your lack of a degree, you can convince someone to hire you on your confidence alone. Put yourself out there because the right job is waiting for you.
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