Business Owner Looking to Enter the Job Market

Linda:

Despite having owned two businesses, I never graduated from college, although I do have some college credits. How do you get past the hurdle of not having graduated from college even though you have tons of experience and are a business owner? Every time I look at any ad it always says "college degree required". I find this a huge stumbling block despite my many years of business experience.

Dear CareerStrider:

The only way around it is by having a resume that speaks to your accomplishments. If you are able to showcase that you have proven experience, a hiring organization may overlook the lack of formal education.

Something else you may want to consider is applying to small to medium sized companies. They usually have more flexibility and are able to bend corporate guidelines when it comes to recruiting than bigger companies. Lastly, just because an organization includes "college degree required" doesn't mean that you shouldn't apply for the positions. If your resume is strong, you may get a call.