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JennyK · Guest

I am a very competent secretary and an excellent office manager; wherever I have been posted I had created excellent self-sustainable systems which improved

the productivity and self-introspection of the employees and employers. My reports and project proposals are extremely crisp and professional; and to top it

all I know two international languages, German and French besides English.

I have one problem – I am not a graduate and I want to apply for the position of communication teacher in an under-graduate engineering college. I am

confident I can deliver the goods… but how can I put it across convincingly to the interview board?

What can I do to take away their attention from my lack of education? Please do not advice me to go back to school because that is not possible and also I

have already acquired all the skills required for this position.

Just tell me how can I convince the interviewer that I am the right candidate for this job? What if I am disqualified at the shortlisting level?

I am so upset.. and helpless.. please advise me

Jenny

mat · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

You'll do fine, all you need to do is to convince the interviewers that you have all the skills that are nessecary, even if you havnt learnt them at school or from your education, just tell them that you have learn from experience.

Ciprian13 · Expert Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 240 Career Advice: +0/-0

The interviewers nowadays don't take a lot of time with the interviewed they study his/hers CV and ask him/her some important question that will say if you are the right guy or not for the job.I say that you have one thing in you favor that can compensate the lack of diplomas and that is experience.If you "underline" your experience corectly in the CV, the interviewer will be impressed and will not make a case because you lack some diplomas.

Robin · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:07 am Post subject: Two Aspects of Teaching Job

You obviously have some very useful job skills JennyK and with some education about teaching and learning strategies (if you don't already have them), would most likely do a great job.

The reality is, however, that employers of educational institutions usually want qualified people for two reasons: first, their image with clients and other businesses etc is important and being seen to employ well qualified staff is a great plus. Second, although it's no guarantee, there is a greater chance that a trained teacher/specialist will be able to perform better (especially in theoretical subjects) than an unqualified person.

The wording of the advertisement should be an indicator of whether you are likely to meet minimum selection criteria. For example, does it ask for qualified teachers? Teaching experience? Is there no mention of qualifications? How do your knowledge, skills and abilities meet the job requirements? Can you telephone someone in advance and discuss their requirements and your lack of formal qualifications? Often this helps and can also be a way of promoting yourself as being an interested candidate (She had the initiative to call us ... she's not just throwing in a job app to see what happens).

I don't know what degree of competition exists within your job market JennyK, but if it is low and you stand a good chance of getting to interview, the best way to convice an interview panel of your abilities is to provide examples. Take in some reports, if possible, get some video footage of yourself addressing/training staff; get some solid referees who will support your performance, and perhaps ask them if you can give a demonstration of your presentation skills at interview? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, but it's also important for our self esteem that we don't apply for jobs for which we are clearly not suitable.

Good luck and let us know how you go.

julian · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 255 Career Advice: +2/-0

I really think the above posts should be helpful enough but I'm going to tell you also that you might encounter employers who will not agree with your lack of formal education...especially if you want to enter this field.
I know countries which will do this thing though: if the employers are convinced you have the skills, they will send you to take an educational module (starting with 3 months, 6 months and ending with 2 years of preparation) just for you to be considered "specialized"
In your case, you should take your chance and convince them of your abilities...and then....you can take a short course in paralell...Don't refuse the idea from the start cause you never know.

Ciprian13 · Expert Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 240 Career Advice: +0/-0

There is this program in my country too.So if you don't have the qualification yet but you have the potential you have to study for the diploma and the preparation is paid by the firm you are working for,so you'll work and study for a diploma using the firms money not those from your pocket.

Richard · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:32 pm Post subject:

I've just found this thread. I'm a bit puzzled because you assume you're going to be interviewed so you must already have got enough to present to the employer to get you that far.

In situations like this the employer will be curious enough about your capabilities to have granted you an interview and will just be needing to be convinced.

For others in a similar situation in general you are going to have to make the experience section of your CV extremely strong, citing your achievements and capabilities. Bearing in mind that CVs are judged within the first few seconds of opening your opening statement s must be striking and noticeable without seeming corny. This also applies to your covering letter. You must appear confident and authoritative. You must not give the impression that you will be punching above your weight so avoid phrases such as "I hope etc..."

Workaholic · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject:

I honestly think that if you have work experience that is equivalent to the schooling that they are requiring that you will do fine. I know that a lot of jobs anymore actually say that they require a certain degree or so many years of experience. If you show that you have the experience you will get an interview. During this interview you are going to have to shine. I know you can do it!

safri · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 213 Career Advice: +1/-1

I recommend brilliancy (cause it's obvious that you don't have time to actually go to school or something) at the interview and then have a course in paralell. It's called a training session and more and more companies decide to have their staff trained in order to obtain efficient results.
State that you are willing to undergo the training process because you want to become better in what you do. Stress upon the years of experience you have and state that those years are part of your training in the domain, which you want to develop and addapt to the specific of the company. You have the background, you just need to shape it accordingly.

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