I'm not sure dumbing down a resume would end good.  You know eventually people would find out, especially with the internet these days.  All it takes is for one of your employees to do a google search and there's your facebook account with your educational background as the first hit.

 

 

Civvik, just be sure you go for something you know you will like, rather than something that will guarantee you job security.  I know you want to put food on the table, but eventually things will get better.

 

I can understand the frustration with the architecture/planning world.  I actually think the recession in the industry started 1-2 years prior than the first hit in 2008.  I remember it being very competitive when I first applied for internships because firms started seeing a slowdown and some projects weren't getting financing.  Some people I know who got jobs 2 years ago just got laid off. 

 

Maybe a masters in planning is still an option for you?  Planning has quite a few concentration areas like transportation, land use, spatial analysis.  In fact I've heard of openings for people to work in data centers and doing GIS work.  It might not be design work, but the pay is actually pretty good.

 

 

It's terrible to lie on a resume, but dumbing it down doesn't seem to be bad.  It would be a bad day though if they eventually found out....and you know they will.

 

You're not really lying if you leave things off. You'd only be lying if they ask you about it and don't tell them the truth. When I apply for jobs that don't require degrees, I still will tell them I went to college if they ask. I'm not a talented liar, and I'd probably look foolish if I tried to lie in an interview. :|

 

Honestly, if it's a job waiting tables, they probably would never look into it.

 

It's a double edged sword.  An hiring manager is then going to ask you why you didn't have this information on your resume or share in an initial interview.

 

I say leave it on.

LOL I actually re-edited my post before seeing responses because I thought it was a bad idea to suggest.  Sorry C-Dawg.

I always left it on.  For a restaurant or retail job, all they really care about is experience, especially now. When times are lean and they lose someone, they need to get someone in who is skilled and has some experience and can be up and running in just a few days without a lot of hand holding.  A degree could even help there because they might think you're smart, so even if you don't have the relevant experience, you might be a quick study.

 

The biggest reason people do not get called back for restaurant or retail jobs they apply for is that they a) put down a higher desired pay amount than the minimum wage and b) their hours/availability are not what the company needs.  If you make it to the interview and they don't hire you, that's a different story.

I'm just starting to wonder if there's a bias against people with degrees when you apply for jobs like waiting tables, etc.

 

I wouldn’t call it a “bias.” Companies don’t want to hire someone that they know ahead of time will most likely be short term. It costs them money to go through the hiring process again.

I'm just starting to wonder if there's a bias against people with degrees when you apply for jobs like waiting tables, etc.

 

I wouldn’t call it a “bias.” Companies don’t want to hire someone that they know ahead of time will most likely be short term. It costs them money to go through the hiring process again.

 

Also, its different if the waiters job is a 2nd job / part time job.  someone coming to work at a 2nd job "appears" to be more serious.

I'm just starting to wonder if there's a bias against people with degrees when you apply for jobs like waiting tables, etc.

 

I wouldnt call it a bias. Companies dont want to hire someone that they know ahead of time will most likely be short term. It costs them money to go through the hiring process again.

 

Yeah, I mean, you have to know enough to lie convincingly and act like, whether you were laid off or are just not finding work in your field, you've had a change of heart and aren't interested in those kinds of jobs anymore and make up reasons why you've decided that what you really want to do is wait tables or sell people t-shirts or whatever.  You have to act like you're never going to get any other job again and this is all you want to do or they won't hire you.

Restaurants know that almost everyone they hire will be short term.  I'm in that biz now, and I know we have a lot of servers with degrees, myself included.  More of the front of the house is degreed or in college than not. The back of the house, well, not so much.

 

Waiting tables is what many, many people end up doing if their major in college doesn't translate into a viable career.

Any young people out of work looking to make money and do something interesting should consider working on freighters or on towboats.  The turnover is constant because the work is tough and people are failing drug tests all the time and getting kicked off, so those of you up in the Great Lakes area should be able to get on.  I did it for 7 months heading out of Mobile, AL and Paducah, KY when I first got out of school and made about $18,000 with almost zero expenses since you have no rent, no car, and they pay for you to get to the dock.  It's also a good way to stop drinking/partying cold turkey. 

 

 

I have a slight happy story, that may encourage you all...

 

I moved to Pittsburgh about 2 years ago, accepting a position in Customer Service/QA that paid less than I hoped, and was not really in my field- its mainly data entry. To bring in extra income, I picked up a PT job at Sears. After my first year, I started fishing and putting out me resume to get another job. I wanted to stay at Pitt and wasn't really open to changing schools.

 

Then After 7 months of looking- I found a position that pays more, has less hours, work directly with students and student organizations, and the community college will pay for about half of my masters. I'm normally a shy, reserved person (years of low self-esteem will do that) but I walked in with my portfolio, flashed that smile, and showed them that this what I dream of doing.

 

I start March 6th.

Any young people out of work looking to make money and do something interesting should consider working on freighters or on towboats.  The turnover is constant because the work is tough and people are failing drug tests all the time and getting kicked off, so those of you up in the Great Lakes area should be able to get on.  I did it for 7 months heading out of Mobile, AL and Paducah, KY when I first got out of school and made about $18,000 with almost zero expenses since you have no rent, no car, and they pay for you to get to the dock.  It's also a good way to stop drinking/partying cold turkey. 

 

 

 

You are so right, but I would bet there aren't many on UO who think they should have to work so hard!  Half of them don't even think they should be responsible to pay back their student loans!