FabSwingers.com forum: How to get a good job without a degree?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I know what I have to do, but I'm sure there's lots of people here on the top of the career ladder or who've done it all before. Can you get through the interview with enthusiasm, or is it just cold hard experience? Regardless of the piece of paper.

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By *awk90Man
over a year ago

Amsterdam

It's mainly who you know, mate. Go to events and such, be visible, talk to people. Someone will know someone, that you can meet, and then you have a foot in the door

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Degree apprenticeships are available now for anybody at any age. The employer has a 5% contribution to pay from this August if your over 19.

But it’s a way to work up the ladder.

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By *eliWoman
over a year ago

If you've got to interview stage there must be something that they like. As far as experience goes - if the job says experience is essential regardless of your level of enthusiasm I imagine most companies want experience. When it comes to roles I interview for, when it says experience not essential I'm looking for a candidate with energy, passion and willingness to learn (ideally quickly). If you can demonstrate those through words or tasks you've undertaken, I'm more likely to recruit you than some dreary dull sod who yes has the experience but doesn't have any real desire to do the job (not accounting for nerves etc which do happen).

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By *iamondCougarWoman
over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

Depends on the nature of the job you apply for. In my industry, a Grad / Post Grad degree is a prerequisite. There are however, posts which an employer may support you through a degree.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A degree doesn't mean you get a good job in all cases.

I know people with degrees who earn below the average in pretty poor jobs,others without degrees who earn above In very good jobs.

In my opinion experience is far more valuable than a piece of paper saying you have a degree.

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By *dam1971Man
over a year ago

Bedford

It depends on the job. If you want to be a doctor you’re going to need the required formal qualifications, however for most other jobs there is some wiggle room.

If you can demonstrate (not just talk hopefully) that you can give the organisation what they want, you’re in

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By *arkb73Man
over a year ago

Cheshire/Staffs

Education is a wonderful thing and you should pursue it with gusto as expanding your mind and knowledge is important in life and in employment. I have a degree, a masters, a PhD and an MBA and I loved doing them all. I also have professional qualifications.

As others have said, though, it’s not the be-all and end-all. Learning life lessons and skills are also important.

You need to find the balance - as Meli says above - you need enthusiasm, confidence and tenacity as well as an ability to learn.

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By *irth.Minge.FireMan
over a year ago

Seen in far off places

Intentional upskirt flashes, low cut blouse strategy, and a sound blow job technique I find are favourable attributes destined for positive outcome

Might not be much help to you though OP...

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By *iamondCougarWoman
over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

On the flip side; a degree does not necessarily attain the right to a high earning job either!

One of my siblings has a degree for which there are only 6 posts in the UK.... and no doubt a list of candidates waiting to fill their boots

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By *arnsley guy100Man
over a year ago

Sheffield

I don't know anyone who works in the career they studied in... Seems like a waste of time for most.. You can earn a tenner a hour anyway after a few years in just about any job... It's enough for what you need..

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By *iamondCougarWoman
over a year ago

Norfuck! / Lincolnshire

"Intentional upskirt flashes, low cut blouse strategy, and a sound blow job technique I find are favourable attributes destined for positive outcome

Might not be much help to you though OP..."

A degree isn’t required for any of the above. However, perhaps a cup short of a bra might suffice ( and possibly someone incredibly desperate)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't know anyone who works in the career they studied in... Seems like a waste of time for most.. You can earn a tenner a hour anyway after a few years in just about any job... It's enough for what you need.. "

£10 an hour will be enough for some for others it won't.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Blag it like i did i didnt even do my gcses

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By *dam1971Man
over a year ago

Bedford

I work in the career I studied in because you have to have a qualification to work in it. Same for medicine, law, engineering and many others.

Agree that £10 an hour might be fine for one person but children can spend it a lot quicker than that

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Start at the bottom and work up, be prepared to do courses and study in the evenings if you need to. Local councils are often good at encouraging younger people on the career ladder.

Alternatively start your own business

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I feel enthusiastic and confident, I'm 22 but have worked in business and retail for 8 years. I'll be competing with 22 year olds who are now graduating with degrees but I doubt few can say they've worked in and managed a business albeit a family one for 8 years. I'm hoping to get a job as a Project Coordinator and just really gone my project management skills. Are reference's really important? As I've only ever worked in the family business by whole life?

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By *arnsley guy100Man
over a year ago

Sheffield

Do a normal job but then find something on the side to top it up a few hundred a month... Life's to short for "working hard".. It's a inconvenience more than anything

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"I feel enthusiastic and confident, I'm 22 but have worked in business and retail for 8 years. I'll be competing with 22 year olds who are now graduating with degrees but I doubt few can say they've worked in and managed a business albeit a family one for 8 years. I'm hoping to get a job as a Project Coordinator and just really gone my project management skills. Are reference's really important? As I've only ever worked in the family business by whole life?"

Yes references are important but whoever knows your skills in your family business can write you one, often prospective employers will ask particular questions or provide a questionnaire. They will often also write to your school or college to verify exam results and qualifications. Research interview techniques, apply for as many jobs as possible and prepare thoroughly before any interview you get.

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By *ire_bladeMan
over a year ago

Manchester

I've just retired after an accident at work. I was there 21 years. I'm dyslexic but as all dyslexic I was a master at disguise. In all them tear nobody ever found out my secret and still don't now but yes that was a good job top wage top benefit full family health care. You name it we hot it. Oh yes just shy of 40 grand a year 28 days holiday a year plus more

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

From being 18 yrs old, over the years I have built a great reputation and am considered one of the best in my career.

Finished school with no Qualifications, OK at reading, spelling was atrocious, OK at basic Arithmetic. Have a knack for learning Languages though, can speak three fluently.

Left UK at 18 totally uneducated, hitched and worked my way through Europe and North Africa, ending up in Egypt.

Rest is history.

You can do anything you want if you want it bad enough.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My son has just finished university, he got the first job he applied for in the industry he qualified for

He said having a degree helped, but they were more interested in him, his skills and attributes and the projects he worked on alongside studying.

Having a degree is great, but employers look for the skills it takes also, the motivation and discipline you need are just as important than the degree.

I have two degrees, not really needed for my field but I did them for me, to extend my own knowledge in my discipline

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Do a normal job but then find something on the side to top it up a few hundred a month... Life's to short for "working hard".. It's a inconvenience more than anything

That's more work than having one well paid job you work hard in.

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By *liceinWonderland38Woman
over a year ago

Coventry

"Intentional upskirt flashes, low cut blouse strategy, and a sound blow job technique I find are favourable attributes destined for positive outcome

Might not be much help to you though OP..."

I hope this is sarcasm

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Set up your own business and take control of your own destiny

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

McDonald’s require a degree to work in the drive through, apparently

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Set up your own business and take control of your own destiny "

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By *ire_bladeMan
over a year ago

Manchester

"Do a normal job but then find something on the side to top it up a few hundred a month... Life's to short for "working hard".. It's a inconvenience more than anything

You know they are very wise words. As I said I had a full time job good money good benefits. But as good as the wage was you alway want more so I opened my garage. A few years later I decided to invest in property so I bought a few houses and rented them out. As you can imagine I grafted like fuck. Alway thinking it's ok yes your working hard now but think how much time you'll have when you really retire you've loads of time for fun. Again as I said I had an accident in work there fault and I ripped a ligament on my left wrist. Had an op in December. The sergon drilled my bone and repaired the fixings. Its since been ripped out again. This time turn everything off. And wait xxx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You have age on your side!

These days it’s jot just about the degree, post grad or PhD, employers want that AND experience. So you have options, depending on your chosen career.. some will absolutely need a degree, paramedic science, nursing, education, engineering.. but in some fields by working your way up you can get a jump on degree applicants with your work experience, you may even get exemptions for that too. In my profession you need a degree and also a lot of experience which more and more is having to be done by graduates in a voluntary intern capacity. In a nutshell it just depends what you want to do!

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By *ithintemptationsCouple
over a year ago

plymouth

qualifications mean nothing,just learn yourself,unless its in the medical profession,there is a lot of people out there who have no quals,and are earning around £160 per hour,most of these "training companys" are just pen pushers who really know nothing about real life site work,money for old rope.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Yes yes I want to start my own business but not right now, I know if I start it now I'll be stuck in Ireland for a few years nursing and developing it. I'm young I want to go work abroad and get a job in a company and gain lots of experience working alongside the professionals while I'm still young, then maybe after a year or two come back to Ireland and start on the big ideas I have in mind! I'm sick of saying I'll do it tomorrow and the years go by, I'm already 22 and I haven't done any of the things I want to do yet. My friends from school will be finishing their degrees soon and I'm not getting left behind lol I'm getting ahead of them regardless of a degree.

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By *oeofsussexMan
over a year ago

Eastbourne

I’ve never yet had to prove my degree before landing a good bjob!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As most say depends on the Job your going for some definitely want qualifications other's might be ok if you can show ability but as I've never had a interview in my life and no qualifications I'm not much help I'm happy being at the bottom no pressure clock in clock out don't give a shite what happens in-between I'm on good wages don't do over time or work weekends

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"Yes yes I want to start my own business but not right now, I know if I start it now I'll be stuck in Ireland for a few years nursing and developing it. I'm young I want to go work abroad and get a job in a company and gain lots of experience working alongside the professionals while I'm still young, then maybe after a year or two come back to Ireland and start on the big ideas I have in mind! I'm sick of saying I'll do it tomorrow and the years go by, I'm already 22 and I haven't done any of the things I want to do yet. My friends from school will be finishing their degrees soon and I'm not getting left behind lol I'm getting ahead of them regardless of a degree.

So what, if any of the advice you've been given on here do you feel is helpful?

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By *abbitft23Man
over a year ago

Birmingham

I take it bedding the boss is out of the question? Lol

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

So what, if any of the advice you've been given on here do you feel is helpful? "

Yeah all the advice was great, thank you very much

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By *abbitft23Man
over a year ago

Birmingham

I done an apprenticeship for 3 years and a degree in mechanical engineering the following year to top it up as finished the apprenticeship a year early.

I then left the company afterwards as I knew I didn't want to do it. Just family wanted me to have "papers".

I then became a digger driver officially anyway, had been driving them from age 10 lol

At 19 I earned £240 for 8 hours work.

I now run my own civils and groundwork's firm.

Hard work and a good attitude are all you need to progress. That and a willingness to take the rough with the smooth

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If this is related to your post about London and working for one of the big 4 consulting firms they will either want a degree to put you on their graduate training scheme (after which you get about 2 or 3 years to prove your worth or you are out) or lots of industry experience to take you on.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"If this is related to your post about London and working for one of the big 4 consulting firms they will either want a degree to put you on their graduate training scheme (after which you get about 2 or 3 years to prove your worth or you are out) or lots of industry experience to take you on."

I need a bit of the hard truth as well. Thank you.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I done an apprenticeship for 3 years and a degree in mechanical engineering the following year to top it up as finished the apprenticeship a year early.

I then left the company afterwards as I knew I didn't want to do it. Just family wanted me to have "papers".

I then became a digger driver officially anyway, had been driving them from age 10 lol

At 19 I earned £240 for 8 hours work.

I now run my own civils and groundwork's firm.

Hard work and a good attitude are all you need to progress. That and a willingness to take the rough with the smooth

That's sound advice, thank you. Fair play to you man, legendary.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's mainly who you know, mate. Go to events and such, be visible, talk to people. Someone will know someone, that you can meet, and then you have a foot in the door"

This and wit goes a long way.

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By *heslimoneMan
over a year ago

Deeside

I've found swallowing is not only great for getting your foot in the door but also climbing the ladder

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

What is a good job definition OP?

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