From an HR perspective, this is not uncommon. When you are hired at a company, part of the onboarding process is to inundate the candidate with the employer's endless possibilities. The employer is anticipating their future staffing needs, the candidate's possible boredom, career goals, restlessness and life changes. Employers love to hire from within. It is a win-win situation from both sides. From an employer's perspective, they are already aware of the candidate's qualifications and performance. When hiring from within, due diligence is not required. From an employee perspective, they can actually see the company culture firsthand rather than corporate propaganda. In essence, the employer is telling the candidate what you are now might not be what you are in two years. If you want to move up, ensure you have the qualifications now and make yourself indispensable in your minor role as proof of your candidacy for a future major role. It is a carrot and stick mentality however, from a corporate perspective, it attracts underpaid, overqualified talent willing to give free advice.

Fred:

I am going to provide two answers.

1. One of my best friends is brilliant, has many patents to his name, and has started and sold two small companies. However, he does not have a college degree, so despite his successes, if he applies to a job, they ignore him because of no degree. For two candidates that are identical except for a degree, more often than not, we go with the candidate with the degree. So, it is common.
2. On the other hand, as CFO, I go through a lot of candidates. For most positions, we require a degree, but I will look at background as well. Unfortunately, a degree signifies more than just knowledge. It shows that the candidate completes long term tasks and has a well-rounded knowledge to assist in the role. Simple things like Business Writing 101 cannot be understated. So, there are some valid reasons.

My advice. For those without degrees, it is not impossible. You just have to try harder. Applying for jobs that require degrees will not work. You must network and get in the door before positing. You have to be different. AND you must have more relevant experience than others with degrees.

If you want more advice, please connect with me.

Don

I am as smart as any one that has gone to college, and I didn't need to go to college to be this way. All my knowledge comes mostly from hands on experiences, which I believe is better than any school.

I dont have a degree, but that has never stopped me from applying for a position, i actually once got a job as a purchasing agent that the hiring manager was actually pretty adiment about only hiring anyone with a degree, i dont know if not many people applied and i was all he had too choose from, but i do know when i resigned from the position that he told me that because of the quailty of work and my experience that he would never not consider someone without out a degree agian. I posted in an earlier post but i feel it does need mentioning agian, On 2 separate occasions after getting job, i asked my hiring managers why was i chosen for the position over other someone else that applied for the job, bith gave me alnost the same answer, both said that when they read my resume and called me for the interview thst myself and everyone else they called in, they already knew that i could do the job, so really the interview was not about learning if i could do the job, the interview was really to determine if they felt like i was a good fit for the team they already had in place, such as, did they feel i could get along with others, was i a complainer, did i give any indication that i would have a problem getting to work on time or would i be calling in because of a sick kid. Upon hearing this advice from 2 separate managers i make it a point to at somepoint of the interview to let them know that i am prompt, i am pretty healthy, my wife takes care of the kids when i am working so that i shouldnt have to leave work on the middle of the day because of a kid emergency. I lnow that some people feel like their age is a problem getting a job, maybe they feel like they are too old, turn your age into a positive, let the interviewer know that when you come too work you can give them 100percent, you dont stay up late on weekdays, your kids are grown and they can take care of themselves, so thats not an issue. Let them know that you are a very responsible person. I hope this helps.... one last peice of advice and this has worked for me 100percent of the time. Send a thank you card after the interview. Not an email, but an actuall card. My reasoning is this, if you and i apply for the same position and we are equally qualified, lets say that i interview first and i do good and later in the day you interview and you do equally as good, the last name they remember is you, but in a couple of days when its time to make a hiring decision, a thank you card comes in the mail from me, bam! I am back on their minds and i just showed the hiring mananger that i went just a little further than you to let them know i want the job. I promise it has work 100percent of the time and it cost maybe a couple of dollars for a small pack of basic thank you cards. Normally i just write in the card, " i appreciate you taking the time to discuss the positon of whatever position, and i hope to hear from you soon. Btw you can get a buisness card from them during the interview of if you forget you can google the address and send it to them with care of whatever tge interviewers name is....good luck..

Absolutely. It is very frustrating. I have over 20 years of experience in legal, but because it is within a specific area of practice, I am passed over or because of the absent college degree. I am qualified, however it seems to still not be good enough.

Yes, I have. I actually have an Associates degree plus 20 years experience. I was told a position was given to someone with a Masters and no experience. I have also been told my experience makes me too expensive. So right now I'm working at a job that is 2 levels below where I should be and 2/3 pay. Bottom line, it's all very frustrating.

It hasn't happened to me yet but I hear restaurant managers are looking for college backgrounds for line cooks and sous chefs.

I find there are more Administrative and Office Assistant jobs requiring applicants to have a college degree or background. I think this is a new trend.

Hi Fred, there aren't too many well paying jobs out there that don't require a degree. Trades and manufacturing industries are supposedly making a comeback but even those jobs require and apprenticeship, certifications, and licenses. The employment dynamic is changing dramatically... now it harder to succeed without making a heavy initial classroom and monetary investment.. I think its a shame..

Yes I have been tired down at Speedway because I didn't have college degree, they wanted a. Bachelor for this job.I was shocked.