Poor job hunting results may be “packaging” issue

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My dilemma is this: I am a high school drop out (1980) because I decided to have a baby and get married, in that order. My only other option was to get my GED in 1980.

After working in retail, I decided to go to college for a degree in 1995. I finally crossed the stage with a BA in Liberal Studies (underachiever) and in 2002 I received my Masters in Sociology.

During that time, I was working in a university as an Administrative Assistant II for the VP of Business Administration. Great job, good pay but with no opportunity to move up in this department.

I have applied for many positions outside the academic setting but as soon as they see the year I should have graduated high school, I never hear from them. Since 2002, I have been on three interviews. What is my problem? Is this normal? Is the economy that bad that companies are not hiring? I know something is wrong with my resume. How can I leave out years when they clearly require them?

Answer:

You have done so much to overcome adversity and reach high academic goals, that your story is one of inspiration—not desperation.

I believe that you have two problems: one is in your head and the other is probably in the way you are packaging your skills.

I found it curious—sad, even—that you seem to define yourself as a high school drop out, instead of a professional with a Master’s degree. The only person who cares that you dropped out of school is you. You did graduate high school, you do have a college degree, and you even have an advanced degree.

I suspect that the events during your high school years left a psychological mark that is so indelible you think everyone sees it. They don’t, unless, of course, you constantly focus on it. You even bash yourself by saying you are an “underachiever” because you have a Liberal Studies degree.

Trust me when I tell you that the reason you aren’t getting an interview has nothing to do with the year you “should” have graduated high school. On your resume, leave off your high school credentials and dates altogether. Most people skip this information on their resumes because it has so little relevance, especially because once people have been in the work world for awhile, employers don’t care about such early history.

The way you package yourself is probably at the heart of the problem. For example, you probably will not get an interview if you don’t tailor your background experience to fit each job. Or, if you are going after jobs, for which you have no related experience, you won’t be considered. In addition, business folks might be discounting your background because it is exclusively in academia instead of a business setting.

The economy is clearly on the rebound and businesses are indicating that they will hire more employees in the new year. Use your connections to the business community (your boss, the VP of Business Administration must have lots of meetings with people in the community). If there are a few companies you think would be a good fit for you, check out their company Website and click on their career page to look for opportunities.

Start networking with people outside of academia. Show them your resume and ask them to critique it. Say, “Please be brutally honest. I need to know why I’m not getting interviews.” You may be using too many non-business terms or you may not be elaborating enough about your accomplishments. Ironically, one of the factors that may be getting in your way is that you may have too much education! Employers may be worried that you won’t be content in an administrative job.

One of the accomplishments I suggest you talk about during interviews is your drive to better yourself and how you overcame significant obstacles to continue your education. It speaks volumes about your character.

Your best bet may be to look for a lateral job outside of academia and then establish your good reputation in that new company. Once you have proven your skills, start applying for internal postings.  Leave your old baggage behind; it will just weigh you down as you start down your new career path.

Do you need answers to tough job hunting questions? Are you looking for some added punch to help you stand out from the crowd? Joan Lloyd’s has developed job hunting tools that can help you to maximize your job search:

Savvy Negotiation Strategies to Get Paid What You’re Worth on a New Job (Detailed, 8-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)
Easy, Step-by-step Guide to Using the Internet to Land a Great Job (Detailed, 10-page PDF by email  – no shipping charge)
The Resume That Opens the Door and the Interview That Gets the Job (Detailed, 37-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)