No College Degree. Try Educating Your Interviewer

Organizations regularly require a college degree on positions that actually don't require that level of education. Requiring a degree is one way to screen out candidates. Many studies on top performers have found no correlation between education and success. Possessing a degree rarely predicts high job performance and yet too often managers require a degree. What managers really want is someone who can do the job well and fit within the team.

When an interviewer asks about your lack of a college degree, respond by educating them about non-degreed people who changed the world. Here are just a few examples.

• Thomas Edison, invented electric light, holds 1,093 patents
• Bill Gates. Founder of Microsoft
• Larry Ellison, Founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation
• Michael Dell, Founder of Dell Corporation
• Steven Jobs, Founder of Apple Computer
• Henry Ford, Founder, Ford Motor Company
• John D. Rockefeller, first American billionaire
• Steven Spielberg, revolutionary movie director
• Sir. Richard Branson, English industrialist, founder Virgin Airlines
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Here is how your response might sound.
INTERVIEWER: "I'm concerned about your lack of a college degree."
YOU: “I understand your concern but my experience and professional accomplishments demonstrate that I have the talents to deliver the results you require in the position.

There are many examples of non-degreed people who delivered extraordinary accomplishments. Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Michael Dell and even John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie proved that education is not a predictor of top performance.

I feel I have the skills to be a top performer and I'm happy to discuss my experience with you so you can make an accurate assessment of my abilities."
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Do some research and you can try the following alternative response to the non-degreed question.
YOU: “From researching your company and the industry I have learned that to be successful requires the following:
• Consistent focus on results even in a constant changing environment
• An ability to learn rapidly and adapt to changing priorities
• And strong collaboration skills to work across multiple teams to deliver results.
I'd be happy to give you examples when I have demonstrated each of these qualities and discuss any other parts of my background.”
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Below is yet another sample of how you might respond to this concern.
INTERVIEWER: I’m concerned about your lack of a college degree.
YOU:“I’ve been a life long learner consistently investing the time to build the knowledge and skills directly related to my profession.  The skills I developed allowed me to immediately deliver increased value to my employer.  My career accomplishments and progression to-date provide tangible evidence of this.  While my occupation specific learning has yet to result a degree, I’m confident that I possess the talents and skills to deliver results and be a top performer.”