Having a Degree may not be Enough

During these turbulent times, having a graduate degree may not be enough. But then, not everyone can afford to go to college or have the necessary grade to enter university.

When you go for a job interview, they are also looking for other qualities that you may have. So even if you don't have a degree or have paper qualification that has little bearing on the job to be filled, you may still stand a chance if you can demonstrate your competence and personal skills during the interview.

However, don't take any chances. If you don't have any skill training, attend some courses that can enhance your skills. Improve your public speaking skills. Attend some computer courses.

If there is no job commensurate with your qualification, accept a lower level job if you are offered one. Once you are in, you can slowly work your way up. If you are patient enough and work hard in improving yourself, one day you will yourself holding a more senior job.

It has been said that more organizations now prefer to hire people who possess the skills that they need. They cannot afford to wait six to nine months or even longer for a new employee to learn the nitty-gritty of the job. That is why skilled people may get hire more easily. In fact, they may even be booked by employers even before they finish their courses.

Preference for a Degree Holder
Surely, most employers prefer to hire someone with a degree. But a graduate may not exactly fit the job and may even fail to perform well on the job. But the fact that a person has a degree demonstrates to potential employers that that person will most probably have the ability to do it better.

So, get qualified for the types of jobs that you want. If you have to go back to college to get a higher qualification, then do so. Of course, this depends on whether you have the financial capability.

Having a degree does not guarantee that you get a job or that you will perform well in that. But being a graduate gives you more confidence. So get a higher qualification if possible.

The Job or the Pay?

When looking for a job, are you seeking one that you like or one that pays well? Getting a job that you like and pays well at the same time will be the ideal. But these two do not always together. Unfortunately!

Be practical! Take stock of what you have - qualification, personal skills, personal qualities and weaknesses. What are you good at? How can you make good use of it when looking for a job and during a job interview?

If you only high school qualification, you cannot expect to start higher up in the hierarchy. You can take a low level job and slowly work your way up. Some of the very successful people in the world started from the shop floor. Some started as a janitor or as an apprentice.

Having a degree is not a guarantee that you can find a job that pays well or that you will get employed any time soon. In fact, in most cases those who have technical skills will get employed first. Employers will 'book' them even before they finished their training.

However, having a degree coupled with necessary skills and good attitude will get you promoted faster. And thus, higher pay. But being paid well in a job that you dislike or has started to dislike is not ideal. You may end hating the job because of the way the supervisor or some senior officers treat you. If you have no other option, may be it is better to leave. But remember, don't resign until you have received a job offer from another organization.

Which Job Offer Will You Take?
If you are offered two jobs, one that you like but with low pay or a job that has not much attraction but pays well, which one will you choose?

Most people may choose the latter. Perhaps, they will learn to love the job. May be they are right. Perhaps, this is the better choice. No one wants to lose the opportunity of enjoying a better life.

But there are people who may take the former. Money is secondary to them. They may have to budget but they will not have the problem of whether they will go to work the following day.

But whichever job you take, you still have to make a good job of it, whether you like it or not, whether you look forward to doing it the next day or not. Failure to do so will end up in dismissal unless you have already resigned.