re: 45% of new grads who actually find jobs, are taking "no degree needed" jobs

Is your alter vlvod?

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How do these ATS systems know what to reject?

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You'd be surprised at how many job listings are 100% created in the HR department.

And, even if they aren't created by HR, HR is the ones who set the filters.

So, if the hiring manager says "prefers experience" then HR is liable to place that filter on.

I don't really blame HR. For the type jobs we're talking about(fairly entry, maybe degree).........you're talking about often getting HUNDREDS of applications for a position.

They're not using the filters because they are JOB necessary. They're using them to whittle the stack until it's small enough for a human to deal with.

This is why I am telling you that if you rely solely on getting past the ATS, you are leaving a LOT of opportunity on the table.

I think some of you are taking my posts as adversarial in this thread.

Far from it.

I think that the most important thing someone can have in their job search is knowledge of what is really going on so that they can apply that knowledge to their advantage.

Many people just genuinely don't have the requisite knowledge to execute their job search to maximize THEIR potential.

This is why I volunteer to help people looking for employment. I don't do it to tell them they suck at looking for jobs. I do it to help them not suck at it anymore.

I am still in school

My grades are shitty because of either a head injury, or the meds I've got to take because of them. I am just not good at taking tests, but that does not effect my level of understanding. I even do poorly on tests where I already know everything about a topic before coming into the class. I am elligible to get tests taken differently through disability services, but I don't because I want to be on the same level as everyone else

Actually, I have been surprised by how much it matters. Almost every posting regarding internships requires someone to have a 3.5+ GPA. Hell, I have already had one internship in the field, but still have problems.

I'm hoping this one I have been emailing a lady back-and-forth about today pans out. I don't know how anyone on my level would be more qualified for it

I have one already, but am one class away from being a senior in another. I had the same problems (sans the GPA problem) getting a job after my last degree. I was the only one of my graduating class to get one back then.


The way I look at the jobs I am applying for is I would be cheap, knowledgeable labor. I wouldn't need much training or oversight at all. It's not like I'm trying to write books or something I know nothing about. I just want to build and test shite

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The way I look at the jobs I am applying for is I would be cheap, knowledgeable labor. I wouldn't need much training or oversight at all

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If this is true.............and on paper, you are less than perfect as a candidate, then you need to re-evaluate your method for searching for jobs.

If you genuinely are the type person who is knowledgeable, hard working, and willing to prove himself, then people who KNOW you will know this.

And people who KNOW you is how you will get a job. Not necessarily with those who know you, but they will be your vehicle.

So, examine your network. If it sucks for job hunting, then instead of searching for 2 hours on indeed, spend 2 hours studying about and improving your networking.

I would argue that 2 hours a day networking......REALLY networking, beats the frick out of 4 hours a day putting in electronic job applications.

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Just to be a contrarian, I'm curious how many jobs truly require a college degree?

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My job doesn't require a degree, but it does require you pass an IQ/logic assessment to be considered for the position and once you have the position you must pass projects and exams (leading to certification) before you can begin the work (unless you are already certified).

Chances are, if you are intelligent enough to get through those hoops, you're probably someone who previously graduated from college.

I agree that most jobs don't "require" college though.

Great thread. Quick shoutout to ShortyRob. GREAT ADVICE even though I didn't have the right "network" to help myself.

Just wanted to shed some light with my past experience.

Got a useless degree at LSU. Was ready to be out of school as fun as it was. Didn't have a great GPA. Got hired on at an insurance company working as a Systems Tech, but always wanted to be a Claims Adjuster. I interviewed a few times to be transferred to claims. Never got hired. I even offered to pay my way through the school that trains you for the job.

I thought my useless degree was hurting my chances so I quit my job, went to work part-time, and went back to school and got an MBA. I had a really good GPA this time. The job market was worse than what it is now when I got out of school. I couldn't buy a job. I read water meters for less than $10 an hour. I moved up to another job making $30k/year. That shitty job reading water meters taught me more job skills/customer service skills than I ever thought it would.

I had a small personal tragedy (a death) in my life that caused me to get out there and start looking for another job. I looked on LinkedIn started following all the major insurance companies to find my dream job, and started applying for jobs. I started posting on the LinkedIn job boards for the major companies and talking directly to the people who were up the ranks telling them about my experience.

I started applying to these same companies' job postings and "boom". Got an initial interview with HR. Then, I got another phone interview that lasted over an hour.

One thing I've always learned is that you really have to screw up in the third interview to not get the job, but this admin manager told me he was flying in from Lafayette to interview me in my hometown. Just to show him that I wanted the job bad enough, I told him I would meet him in BR for the interview. I could tell he liked that.

Anyway, to go ahead and hurry the story along, nailed the interview. Got hired and now I am in my dream job. I'm a Catastrophe Claims Adjuster. I go all over the country and work claims and I'm really good at it.

BUT TO SHORTYROB'S POINT:
I was doing a ride-along with this other manager (not mine) and he asked me "so who did you know to get this job?" I told him no one and he told me I was only one of 5 people he has ever talked to that didn't know anyone. This particular manager told me he even knew someone to get hired.And I truly believe I wouldn't have ever got a call back if I wasn't messaging those power players on LinkedIn.
NETWORKING IS KEY.