Charlie, Unfortunately, it is now an employer’s market; they can make the requirements for a position nearly anything that they wish. I have solid experience; good references; I am articulate, hardworking, erudite and motivated; yet, prior to earning my BA I was told over and over: “We don’t even consider candidates without at least a Bachelor’s Degree: and if you are looking to move up in the company then you need at least an MBA. It is completely ludicrous: I possess management experience; yet when I have applied for an entry-level positions: because I was told that was all that was available: it was related to me that candidate’s not holding either at least an MA, MS or MBA applications were discarded. When I asked why such credentials are necessary for an “entry-level” opening: I never really received any reply. It is just reflective of a very tight job-market: and, some, actually most employers are able to take advantage of how desperate some of us job seekers have become.

Clearly it’s a sign of the times: and, unfortunately one that is unlikely to be changing anytime soon. I am currently pursuing my MS/MBA through an online degree program; I only hope that I live long enough to reap some of the rewards for having worked so long and hard to placate such irrationally and obscenely excessive entry-level requirements. All of this makes me long for the days when a hiring manager actually got excited by the background you brought to their enterprises. Sadly, the realities are that in today’s current job-markets if one wants to be employed: and who wishes to be unemployed; you will kowtow to such lunacy simply to gain employment.

Sorry that this doesn’t alleviate your angst. Good Luck, I think we’re all going to need it.

Unfortunately the workforce has changed. I have worked in retail for over twenty years and I find that they hire their management team from college grads because they are new with fresh ideas and mainly because they can train them to work as they chose. Yes your experience is needed but they can not mold you to be as they possibly wish. I am sorry that you are being passed over but it is not going to change.

Charlie, I'm in agreement largely with Newman but because of the recent (10 years or so) change in practices as far as hiring. The conversation with someone in management who turned you down is critical. One of my old college professors would always say, the time will pass anyway, you may as well take a class here and a class there consistently until you have that degree. Use any reimbursement programs available to you!

Charlie, because they can. The labor market is just rough enough where employers can ask for PhDs for burger flipping jobs. Hang in there. The others have offered some good advice.

I'd look at a different company. I'm in a different boat. I got my masters and thinking of not listing it as company's pass right by as they say over qualified. So irritating

Yes, Charlie it is a shame, but if I may play Devil's Advocate without knowing you, your company, or industry (except retail). Does your company have a reimbursement program that pays for college? There is other areas other than just making sure employees are doing their job. How much do you know about marketing; such as advertising print, radio, or even television? Do you have modern day social marketing skills such as tumbler, snap chat, or even Facebook? Can you measure and make planograms? Are you able to write copy for trade publications? Do you have financial skills to know what a POS or POP System is? Do you have logistics training along with adequate procurement skills? All of these things are taught in colleges everywhere. Everyone cannot be knowledgeable in everything, but a quality GM has a little knowledge in many areas. This is advantageous when they hire someone or to know if they need to get rid of someone. I honestly believe that if you ask your corporate managers for a meeting and ask them please tell me what training do I need to successfully remain with your company someone will help you. Maybe ask for a mentor that you could follow and learn from. Good luck and don't give up, but try learning new skills that are taught at a college.

This is such a shame.....new employees right out of college are most likely offered less money to start....but these people will not stay the years you have.

Management today is considered to be a profession, just as is a lawyer engineer etc. the days of a company exploiting the term are fast vanishing.

There is a lot of knowledge needs to be on par with the professional fraternity. To not have admission to the degree and claim to be a manager is a fraud

It should be a combination of experience and education. Companies have removed the management training programs so now the trend os to recruit applicants familiar with the key management principles for the larger GM roles.

Hi Charlie: Thanks for posting to Jobcase! That's a really interesting issue you're facing - it seems like a lot of employers are starting to value degrees over experience, which definitely is a shame. I mean, wouldn't you rather go with the employee who has a bunch of experience and has proven themselves? Btw, where are you located?