Quote:
Originally posted by adpiucf
Do you have a master's degree and you are looking for an entry-level position? Take your master's degree off your resume. That's right. Lie. You are applying for an entry level paying job. Someone sees your master's degree on there and immediately discounts you--- why should I hire you and pay you more when you have just as much real experience (or less) than someone with just a BA? The only people who need master's degrees are those who have experience in their field and are looking to take it to the next level (not entry level) or those who can't be employed without it (Industrial Psychologists, Doctors, Speech Pathologists, Lawyers and some Social Workers, among others.) If you're fresh out of undergrad and diving back in for an MA, stop and ask yourself why. You could be making yourself unemployable at the entry level--- and if you come out of a master's with no practical work experience, you're doubly up a creek without a paddle. That and for every 10 MA's I know, 9 are miserable with their degree and student loans because they didn't take the time to work in their field before continuing on to higher education. Again, this is true of some fields, not all. But with non-profit, marketing and communication, a master's degree is useless at the entry level. Internships and volunteer work relevant to the position are what will get your foot in the door-- both as a resume builder and as a potential to go from intern to full-time worker at the same place.
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I would like to second this sentiment. While I'm not in your field, I did graduate with an "art" degree. People have asked me if I am going to go back to Grad School for graphic design. A masters in design is actually pointless and a waste of time and money if you don't have the kick ass portfolio (that can be done with stuff outside of school) and internships/experience. Grad school will only enhance your portfolio at best and most companies interviewing for GPHD positions look for pieces and clients you have met and worked with outside of school. Live clients in other words.
The best advice I ever got was for the catch 22 situation of wanting experience but the job won't hire you unless you have experience. Get an admin job and your job of choice. And any busy company will probably be swamped with projects one day and may need your help. This is where you get experience.
Also, learn about how to create functional resumes as apposed to chronological resumes. That way, employers will focus on what you did at the job rather than what the job was. Example: I am a graphic designer at a print shop who is trying to break into event planning. If I said my job experience is just a print shop employee, of course they will overlook my resume. However, if I say in a big paragraph that I do all kinds of planning and admin experience from this job first, then they might think I'm qualified. So don't rely on Word or Monster to set up your resumes... because they do the chronological thing.
And GAH! Spell check... make sure all the known software is correctly identified, even with funky spellings. (Quark Express is NOT QuarkXpress.)