Quote Originally Posted by smilingcat View Post
Just don't lie and make stuff up on the application. Seen several resume with falsified information about college degrees. I'll give you a chance to explain.
This is the part that creates a damned-if-ya-do, damned-if-ya-don't scenario for me. I have 2 BAs--one in English Lit., the other in Communications/Photography. Years ago our local Walgreens was looking for part-time help in their photo-lab. I had previous experience in commercial and 1-hour labs (and LOVED the 1-hour job...it was fun, flexible, and laid-back...I didn't mind working for peanuts, since I enjoyed what I was doing and helping people learn to take better photos). I should be a shoe-in for the job, right?

Wrong. I couldn't even get an interview, not even after calling a couple of times to verify that they'd received my application and to ask when interviews would be taking place--ie to make it very clear that I was very interested in the position. I had several people tell me that I would have been better off leaving out my college education...since entry-level employers see that and assume that the applicant is simply looking for something to fill their time until something better comes along. But nothing better does come along here in BFE Michigan.

It also doesn't help that I stayed home with my DS when he was little. When he was back to school full-days I looked for even just part-time work and applied for a couple of college admissions counselor types of jobs, including at my own university alma mater. Again, no luck. I couldn't even get an interview at my alma mater with great references from 2 people who work at the university.

I did manage to land an interview with a smaller college...then I found out that their policy is to interview EVERY person who meets the absolute minimum qualifications. What a waste of everyone's time. From the moment I walked into that interview I felt like they didn't really even have interest in hiring me, but were going through the motions.

I've not looked at much else, since. We're not destitute, but an extra income would sure help at times. This job market is really hard on people with a lot of education, but minimum or "stale" experience, especially if they live a half hour or more from the jobs. *sigh*