Jase wrote:fish wrote:sherminator wrote:Four years ago I returned from the UK looking to change careers. Applied for a number of jobs to be told that I do not possess any qualifications etc. So I enrolled in Uni and now have a degree. Applying now for similar jobs and being told I do not have any experience! Fair enough ....BUT I bumped into an acquaintance from Uni who said that she and a couple of others from my degree have got interviews for one of the jobs I was rejected for. I wish them all well. I am 33 years old and have travelled around the world, been employed since I was 15, have managed a Michelin rated restaurant in the UK etc. yet apparently 21 year-olds who have gone straight from HS to Uni have more experience??? WTF?
Similar thing happened to a mate of mine. He was about 40 or so when he graduated virtually top of his class in Environmental Management. He had heaps of life experience including running his own farm, and had followed environmental issues for 20 years or so. I would have employed him above most others but he really struggled to get work whereas the 21 year olds straight from high school and Uni were getting employed all around him. In the end he gave up and ended up going back to his old career in social work.
Hmmmm really looking forward to finishing my degree now as a "mature aged" student...

in my line of work, I apply for jobs where it says 'mandatory qualifications are: ....' all the time and often I get the position because I have experience in the field. Sometimes I wish I had a qualification for what I do. Sometimes it works against me, sometimes it works for me.
You realise though that when you get a knock back from someone who says you have not enough experience, too much experience, not the right quals, it's often due to cultural fit - but of course employers can't SAY that due to discrimination. Cultural fit is the biggest 'in thing' going around today. If you can't fit in in the team, then they wont look at you. And that could mean that you're the best qualified person for the position.
Also, if you're in your 30's or 40's and going for jobs, and getting knocked back but 21 yo's are getting interviews for the positions - it could be one of many things. Often you might have a long list of things you've done which can scare off prospective employers. They might see you as 'too qualified' or someone that might get "bored" in a junior type role. You might need to scale your resume back too.
Best of luck guys/gals