DL Degree and the job interview

I am in the process of earning my B.S. from C.O.S.C., and I do not think its an inferior degree, and I will be proud of it once I get it. However, Im just curious to hear about those with a DL Degree, and your experience while looking for job.

Did anyone have any awkward experince trying to defend thier education and DL Degree during a job interview?

Was your prospective employer suspicious of the degree?

The only reason I ask is because I see alot of people on here with multiple B.A.'s, B.S's, and Masters, and Phd's, and if i was an employer, someone with so many degrees would raise a red flag.

P.s. im not trying to discredit those with multiple degrees, its just that many companies are still in the dark about DL.

Im looking forward to reading some responses.

Frank

 

Your degree (or degrees as the case may be) is only your foot in the door assuming your resume properly markets your skills and abilities. However, YOU, not your degree, will carry the interview successfully or not. You should be talking about your skills, talents, experience and abilities in an interview not talking about your degree.

Having been on (yikes!) hundreds of interviews in 30 years (f2f, phone, and email) I have sort of perfected the interview technique LOL Never have I had anyone ask questions about how I got my degrees but I've plenty of questions about the programs themselves -- what I learned and what I have done with what I learned. That is the key to a successful interview.

You have to go in there ready to transition smoothly from where you got your degree to what you learned and how you used that knowledge. You have to, quite simply, market your abilities. And where (assuming RA) and how (assuming nothing) you get a degree makes no difference if handled properly.

One thing you do NOT want to do in an interview is get into "defending" a DL degree. There is no point in that. Besides, it's quite probable that no one is going to ask " And did you go to classes or did you get your degree through distance learning?" That has never happened to me. Don't bring it up and chances are they won't know to ask. I do bring it up in interviews because I am quite proud of the fact that I was able to get a degree without leaving my current job at the time. Working full time teaching college classes (f2f) and finishing a masters in 9 months says a lot about my perseverance and abilities

Just a few thoughts to consider. I'm sure more folks will add other important viewpoints from outside my job-hunting experience in academia.

Leslie
E-Learning Innovations
http://elearning.homestead.com

 

Your fine......


As long as your degree comes with (RA) you'll have/get the green light.

The best insight I can give you on multiple degrees is - you better have a clear career objective and ability to articulate it.


HR Director

 

Is it your opinion that multiple degrees shows a lack of direction? Do you think this is the consensus among other human resource directors? Would a specialization help (i.e. staying in the same field throughout your education) or would a diversified education be stronger? I've been in the military since high school and am not familiar with the "real" world. Any assistance in making myself as marketable as possible (without being overqualified) would be appreciated. I've been considering adding a second bachelor's in another field (possibly CS, Mathematics, or even an MEd). End state: employment after military retirement - hopefully teaching at the university level, training at the corporate level, and/or consulting.

 

I am not familiar with any rules or regulations requiring the listing of all degrees on either a resume or a job application. If I were looking for a job in business I would list my business degrees. If I were looking for a job in human services I would list my human services degrees. At a junior college I list them all to show that I could be used in two or more areas. So, be selective......no point in guilding the lily.

 

I agree with you. But one amusing case I had recently involved a candidate who sent us four resumes, with the suggestion that we pick one that we thought appropriate. The first resume gave "scientific research" as the career goal, and listed her B.S. in Biochemistry, plus related continuing education, conferences, society memberships, etc. Another gave "marketing" as the goal, and listed her MBA. The third was her "music" resume. And the fourth was her "martial arts" resume. All four resumes were no doubt excellent, but she would have been well-advised to target a position somewhat more precisely!

 

Is it your opinion that multiple degrees shows a lack of direction? Do you think this is the consensus among other human resource directors? Would a specialization help (i.e. staying in the same field throughout your education) or would a diversified education be stronger? I've been in the military since high school and am not familiar with the "real" world. Any assistance in making myself as marketable as possible (without being overqualified) would be appreciated. I've been considering adding a second bachelor's in another field (possibly CS, Mathematics, or even an MEd). End state: employment after military retirement - hopefully teaching at the university level, training at the corporate level, and/or consulting.


__________________

First keypoint - why are you looking ?
Second - why did you respond to this ad/posting ?
Third - what makes you the best candidate over the others

When I recruit I follow this model:


a. Skill match (PAST) work history, education
b. Job Attitude (PRESENT) are the dots connecting or is it a scatter gram
c. Job Fit (FUTURE) job fit assessment (ie, session possibilities)


I view your work experience, education, etc... as a road/career path.

If it's logical your in - if not your out.


Yesterday I had a younger guy it the gym (mid 30's) asking me it question - if he should get a MBA, my first question was why? - he could not clearly answer; my second question was what is your undergrad degree in - he replied, it is in Physical therapy. My third question was what are you doing now - his reply was I'm an Internet Tech. for a small company.

I see this as a scatter gram

Hope this helps,


HR DIRECTOR

 

. I've been considering adding a second bachelor's in another field (possibly CS, Mathematics, or even an MEd).


_________________________________________________


Again - remember the road map - where to you want to be ?

If you have a BS/BA - the next step would be a MS/MA .... and so on

As far as your statement on CS/Math/Education - what do you want as far as a career ?????


Find/interview someone that your have a high respect for in the profession (talk with them about the pros/cons) or look at a trade/professional journal - follow their lead.....


If you want to be a doctor, what will you need in your tool box ?

If you want to be a business consultant, what will you need in your tool box (example: BS in International Relations, MBA from a tier I school, maybe a second language, a few professional certifications, etc....)

If you want to be a school teacher, you'll need a BS/BA degree, you'll need a teaching credential, maybe some specialization.....



HR DIRECTOR

 

Matterofdegrees makes some really great points. That is great advice. I would not worry about the COSC degree at all. My wife just finished with them and started working as an Elementary Teacher immediately when she finished. She is having to get her teaching certification through a local University, but she had no problem with her degree from COSC.

Good Luck!!

 

THANK YOU!!

MM,

Thank you for your assistance. I appreciate your comments.

Gary

 

I appreciate all of the reply's. They have all been very informative and I will use the sound advice from "matter of degrees" to further my education and career.
Thanks Alot,
Frank

 

My first degree was an Associates degree in Engineering. I used it to get the job(s) that I held while I was earning my Bachelors degree in night school. I was pleased as punch when I got that degree but it is now irrelevant to my career and so I no longer list it on my resume. I've never gotten any indication that this sort of resume manipulation is unseemly, unless, of course, it involves some sort of overt deception.
Jack

 

I teach an online resume writing class (and taught resume writing as part of a Business Communications f2f college course) and that is one of the first things we talk about in the class. You have to research your job prospect(s) and tailor your resume to the job. A resume has about 10 seconds at most to grab interest before it is tossed and no one wants to wade through two pages of stuff to find relevant info. Each resume sent out should include only relevant info for that job. All other info can be discussed in an interview if one wishes to do so and thinks that, at that point, it might be helpful.

One resume, well written, can easily be revised to suit specific jobs. It is also not unheard of for people to have several different resumes for different purposes. Nor is is unethical in the least if there is no deception involved as you stated.

Leslie