Didn't Finish College? Here are 3 Ways to Address Education in Interviews

We receive countless questions from job seekers and career changers asking how to talk about tricky educational situations. Whether you never went to college, never finished your degree, or want to know if choosing a “for profit” university will hurt your chances of getting a call back, we have some advice that will help you navigate through the murky waters that surround the education section on your resume. Here are 3 commonly asked questions (and answers) about how to address awkward educational issues during interviews:

1. What if I never went to college?
Is it possible to achieve career success without a college degree? You bet it is! Is it easy? No. Chances are you’ll face a few obstacles as you advance in your career, and you’ll need to have a strategy prepared to manage through any concerns from executives and upper management as you advance. We always recommend two things: the first is to “own it.” Take accountability and avoid skirting the issue. Be prepared to say, “I didn’t go to college” and then be prepared to say why. Did you join the military? Did you have kids really young? Did your career take off at an early age? Whatever the reason is, show how what you did do taught you some equally valuable life lessons and how you’ve been able to apply those lessons to be successful. The second recommendation is to take a college class (anything you can manage) so you can include higher education experience on your resume. The extra 2 lines on your resume carry a lot of weight, regardless of whether you took online classes or a more traditional route.

2. What if I never finished my degree? How do I talk about that?
Things happen and life gets in the way. Everyone understands this, so why is it so hard to explain why you never went back to finish those last 30 credits? It’s hard because you most likely had something happen that prevented you from doing it. The problem is, whatever you say just sounds like an excuse so we give the same advice as above—own it. Employers don’t want to hear a sob story about how you nursed an ailing relative, wanted to “find yourself” through travel, or had serious financial trouble. Make your reason short and honest. For example, “I never went back to finish my degree and that’s something I regret. I’m planning to re-enroll in a few online classes to finish it over time.” There—you’ve addressed it and there’s not much more an employer can ask.

3. I went to a “for profit” school. Is that going to hurt my chances of getting hired?
The short answer to this question is maybe. This is a touchy subject and as Career Coaches, we want to be straightforward with our clients. If you have any degree, you’re generally better positioned for employment than a job-seeker who does not have a college diploma. However, the truth is “for profit” colleges and universities carry less prestige than not-for-profit, traditional schools. If you have lofty career aspirations and a degree from a “for profit” school, you might run into some roadblocks as you compete for job openings. Look at ways you can increase your marketability and make employers feel confident that you have the skills they need. This might mean getting additional certifications, licenses, or training that you can list in conjunction with your degree.

The bottom line? Prepare to answer questions about your educational choices as you rehearse for interviews. Prospective employers are likely to take their cues from your level of confidence and willingness to demonstrate sincerity in sharing the circumstances and reason around your choices.