Poll of the Day > If an employer asks why it took me seven years to finish college, what do I say?

(+) Yeah! (+)

80/80

Hypothetical situation; this likely won't happen to me for another 1.6 years. Should I just nix the time I was enrolled in college from my resume? What if they ask me anyway?

Do I tell them the truth? I must have these answers.
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Well, what took you so long? Were you working, ran out of money, family/personal emergency, etc?

EclairReturns posted...

Should I just nix the time I was enrolled in college from my resume?

Just include the month and year you graduated instead of the entire duration.
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green dragon posted...

personal emergency

That for the first few years, then:

green dragon posted...

working

this for the last three years.
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I used to hate the "why is there this gap in your employment history" considering anyone with half a brain in the area knew the job market in that particular area was completely shit. my mom who has tons of qualifications took 2 years to only end up working at walmart well below what she was used to making. thats how shitty the job market was.
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Joke that you're a slow reader then tell them that you were having financial difficulties so you could only afford to take so many classes per semester. Otherwise just write down your graduation year and let them assume you did it in 4 and are younger than you actually are.

After a certain amount of time, though, you can just drop your graduation year entirely. Technically you should also drop your GPA after your first real job or two, but I had better than a 3.9 GPA and I like potential employers to know that.
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Probably just mention it then. Things happen. No big deal really

Zeus posted...

Joke that you're a slow reader then tell them that you were having financial difficulties so you could only afford to take so many classes per semester. Otherwise just write down your graduation year and let them assume you did it in 4 and are younger than you actually are.

After a certain amount of time, though, you can just drop your graduation year entirely. Technically you should also drop your GPA after your first real job or two, but I had better than a 3.9 GPA and I like potential employers to know that.

I didn't finish college, but i'm still pissed I had a 4.0 for a good while until this one teacher came along and I had him for 3 classes in the same semester. dropped it to a 3.7 I think. he was bad about assigning lengthy essays or whatever in each of his classes, at the same time despite knowing most of his students had him for all 3 of those classes at the same time. I guess because he held two jobs (teacher by day police captain by night) he thought everyone should have no life.
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How long for your bachelor and how long for your master?

I doubt they'd cared if the delay is mainly in your bachelor.
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Nichtcrawler X posted...

How long for your bachelor and how long for your master?

I doubt they'd cared if the delay is mainly in your bachelor.

Given the context of this discussion, it seems reasonably clear that he's only obtaining a bachelors at the moment and likely will at least work in his field before pursuing a masters.
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Zeus posted...

he's only obtaining a bachelors at the moment

Yes.
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EclairReturns posted...

green dragon posted...

personal emergency

That for the first few years, then:

green dragon posted...

working

this for the last three years.

Just say you did it part-time while working and dealing with other personal stuff then. I don't think an employer would have any problem with that.
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mooreandrew58 posted...

I used to hate the "why is there this gap in your employment history" considering anyone with half a brain in the area knew the job market in that particular area was completely shit.

Yeah I get that a lot. I also get "so what was you doing while out of work?". I'm very tempted to say "your mum!" but I doubt that would go down well.
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Most employers won't care how long it took you to finish college. I would even go so far as to say when you explain you had to take part time and work to pay your way through, that alot will be impressed with your
perseverance. This might actually being something that distinguishes you for the better.
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yeah i don't think you have to worry about them asking why it took you so long. but in case it does happen, just say what everyone else in this topic has said.
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wwinterj25 posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

I used to hate the "why is there this gap in your employment history" considering anyone with half a brain in the area knew the job market in that particular area was completely shit.

Yeah I get that a lot. I also get "so what was you doing while out of work?". I'm very tempted to say "your mum!" but I doubt that would go down well.

In general, there seems to be a precept that quality workers are never out of work for long even in the most adverse conditions and, if you have gaps, it's either a moral failing or a competency failing. It's one reason why I've never left a job without having another lined up. Employers look at your current employment as proof that people want and value you, which not only makes them more likely to hire you but also to compensate you better.
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Zeus posted...

In general, there seems to be a precept that quality workers are never out of work for long even in the most adverse conditions and, if you have gaps, it's either a moral failing or a competency failing.

Glad to see being out of work can only fall into those two categories. Both that amount to failing in one way or another.

Zeus posted...

It's one reason why I've never left a job without having another lined up.

Implying that leaving a job is always a choice.

Zeus posted...

Employers look at your current employment as proof that people want and value you, which not only makes them more likely to hire you but also to compensate you better.

If I already was in employment than chances are I wouldn't be applying for said job in the first place. Employers can get this information from past employers anyway. That's if you have any to begin with.
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Why do we pretend Zeus has a job, he's an elderly Icoyar, ok?
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"Because I fucking felt like it"
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wwinterj25 posted...

Glad to see being out of work can only fall into those two categories. Both that amount to failing in one way or another.

Yeah, well, good luck teaching HR "professionals" something different. In the meantime, you can aim your ire at somebody other than the messenger.

wwinterj25 posted...

Implying that leaving a job is always a choice.

Leaving is choice. Being laid off or fired is not.

wwinterj25 posted...

If I already was in employment than chances are I wouldn't be applying for said job in the first place. Employers can get this information from past employers anyway. That's if you have any to begin with.

And therein lies a fatal flaw. HR "professionals" (and many hiring managers, depending on the field) see people who only look for work when they're out of work as lacking ambition and therefore less likely to work hard.

It's a delightful little catch-22 of sorts where you often need to be working within your field to get a job in your field at that moment but, if you are working within your field, you're often not thinking of looking and, if you don't have a job, you need one to get one.

Which isn't to say that there isn't a *kind* of logic to it. After all, if somebody is really good at their jobs, most companies would be crazy to get rid of them and would even endeavor to keep them around after a re-org. And most social climbers *will* try to do big things to boost their careers, which is of a greater benefit than an average worker who will just hold the fort. Plus people just naturally like go-getters.
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It literally doesn't matter. One of the most dangerous and toxic misconceptions about college is that you have to finish it in four years. I struggle to think of any of my classmates who didn't take at least an extra year to finish. Don't let anyone swindle you into thinking that being a full-time student isn't a privilege.
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HarukaKitsune posted...

One of the most dangerous and toxic misconceptions about college is that you have to finish it in four years. I struggle to think of any of my classmates who didn't take at least an extra year to finish.

While you don't have to finish it in 4 years, that's still kinda the expected considering it *is* a 4 year degree. Honestly, I would have loved to have finished it in 3 but my college charged per credit when going over a certain number of credit hours.

HarukaKitsune posted...

Don't let anyone swindle you into thinking that being a full-time student isn't a privilege.

Because apparently working 30-40 hours per week in addition to going to school full time was a privilege. Who knew?
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@Zeus

What did you major in and what type of job do you currently have?

Why would an employer care in this context? If you can afford it you should stay in college as long as possible.
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Tell the truth. If an employer wants you to lie, then they are not worth working for.

Zeus posted...

Because apparently working 30-40 hours per week in addition to going to school full time was a privilege. Who knew?

That's quite literally the opposite of what I said?
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You don't say anything.

I'm fairly certain an employer has never asked me how long it took me to complete college and I graduated at 27, though it took me five years, not seven.
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RCtheWSBC posted...

EclairReturns posted...

Should I just nix the time I was enrolled in college from my resume?

Just include the month and year you graduated instead of the entire duration.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner. Ignore most of the other advice in this topic. I was taught to put just the graduation year even if you did take the normal four years.

"When I do something I make sure I do it completely amd to the best of my abilties even if it takes a little extra time"

Though part time student while working would probably work as well.
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slacker03150 posted...

"When I do something I make sure I do it completely amd to the best of my abilties even if it takes a little extra time"

That's not how school works, dude. A course is a set amount of time. You don't get to decide that a semester course is going to be a year... well, you sort of can, but that's called failing and isn't a good look for an employer.

I guess you could take the "wanted to take fewer courses per semester" angle, but the way you worded it just raises questions about how many classes he failed/dropped. And even saying you wanted fewer courses is risky, because it might send the message that he can't handle pressure/multitasking or have poor time management skills. It's best to just not give them any chance to bring it up at all (but don't outright lie).

they never ask for that since they know some people need to have a job, have to wuit and return etc

EclairReturns posted...

Should I just nix the time I was enrolled in college from my resume?

Why would it be there in the first place? I just have what year I graduated for mine.
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Just tell them cocaine is a hell of a drug, they will understand.
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green dragon posted...

What did you major in and what type of job do you currently have?

Not doxing myself, but it's white-collar work and, in addition to a bachelors, I have some credits towards a MBA back when I worked for a company with tuition reimbursement.

HarukaKitsune posted...

Zeus posted...

Because apparently working 30-40 hours per week in addition to going to school full time was a privilege. Who knew?

That's quite literally the opposite of what I said?

That's the implication behind your dismissal of finishing in 4. You can work full-time and go to school full-time. Likewise, students who only go to school full-time aren't automatically "privileged" because they wind up having to pay down debts afterward.
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@Zeus

So were you a business major?

There was a guy I worked with who was really stupid... he applied elsewhere and used his high school report card as part of it, telling the guy interviewing him that my C average doesnt reflect the effort I put in. I tried my hardest. No call back.

We used to fuck with him a lot and hed always think we were being serious. Like when he asked us if he should dump his girlfriend. We just said yes for her sake, and fully knowing he probably wouldnt get another one.
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I know a lot of people who took 5-6 years to finish their bachelor's; it isn't that uncommon. 7 years isn't that far-fetched, either.

Just be honest with them. Time's are tough and I'm sure your employer will understand. Also, I don't think they'll ask, to be honest - people move at different paces, life gets in the way of things, people change their major...If you're not sure, just put your graduation year like others have said.

They'll be more concerned with whether you have a degree rather than how long it took to get it.

I can't recall a single interview where they asked how long I was in college. Just put your grad date and they probably won't care, unless you obviously look like you're above 30 or something, which you don't because I've seen your pictures before. The only thing is that dates/years completed might be part of a job application, but in my experience that's usually optional, in which case you just leave it blank.

They shouldn't ask you age either, if you're afraid that will give it away. In fact, that's an illegal question. They can only ask if you're over 18 or 21, which normal four-year grads are anyway.

green dragon posted...

So were you a business major?

Stop tagging me in a tracked topic. Otherwise, I'm not mentioning what I was for the previously mentioned reason. Given that multiple posters here have leveled death threats against me (albeit most of them are now "gone"), my hesitation is more justified than most peoples'.

TheCyborgNinja posted...

We used to fuck with him a lot and hed always think we were being serious. Like when he asked us if he should dump his girlfriend. We just said yes for her sake, and fully knowing he probably wouldnt get another one.

Nice friends...

Rockies posted...

I can't recall a single interview where they asked how long I was in college. Just put your grad date and they probably won't care, unless you obviously look like you're above 30 or something, which you don't because I've seen your pictures before. The only thing is that dates/years completed might be part of a job application, but in my experience that's usually optional, in which case you just leave it blank.

Coming out of school, interviewers seemed to bring it up. After the first two jobs, it became less of a talking point.
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Zeus posted...

Stop tagging me in a tracked topic.

How is anyone supposed to know what @Zeus has tracked?
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Zeus posted...

Coming out of school, interviewers seemed to bring it up. After the first two jobs, it became less of a talking point.

No, that still didn't come up for me. Maybe it did for you since you probably graduated in the late 90s or early 00s, but a lot about working culture has changed since then.

Zeus posted...

Stop tagging me in a tracked topic. Otherwise, I'm not mentioning what I was for the previously mentioned reason. Given that multiple posters here have leveled death threats against me (albeit most of them are now "gone"), my hesitation is more justified than most peoples'.

No one knows if you have it tracked, you genius. And the only reason you don't give more facts about yourself is because you don't want to have to keep track of whatever details you've 'revealed' about yourself.

AllstarSniper32 posted...

Zeus posted...

Stop tagging me in a tracked topic.

How is anyone supposed to know what @ Zeus has tracked?

You're never funny when you do that. It's an annoying form of harassment.

Rockies posted...

Zeus posted...

Coming out of school, interviewers seemed to bring it up. After the first two jobs, it became less of a talking point.

No, that still didn't come up for me. Maybe it did for you since you probably graduated in the late 90s or early 00s, but a lot about working culture has changed since then.

I think you have it reversed. If somebody graduated in the 90s, it would just be assumed you did it in 4. It wasn't until the 2000s when people started to take 5 years despite the difficulty being lowered so everybody could get a college education (so long as their check cleared)

Cacciato posted...

Zeus posted...

Stop tagging me in a tracked topic. Otherwise, I'm not mentioning what I was for the previously mentioned reason. Given that multiple posters here have leveled death threats against me (albeit most of them are now "gone"), my hesitation is more justified than most peoples'.

No one knows if you have it tracked, you genius. And the only reason you don't give more facts about yourself is because you don't want to have to keep track of whatever details you've 'revealed' about yourself.

If I respond 5 times in the same topic, it's a pretty safe bet I'm watching the topic, genius. As as your idiotic insinuation of deception, it would actually be far easier -- and far safer -- to overshare an invention than to manage how much I can say without providing enough material to dox myself. Frankly, I share too much on this board already, especially considering the trolls around here.
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AllstarSniper32 posted...

Zeus posted...

Stop tagging me in a tracked topic.

How is anyone supposed to know what @Zeus has tracked?

He does this weird thing where he routinely brags about how many notifications he has, he must be tracking every topic he posts in so he can try to win arguments several days later
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Mead posted...

AllstarSniper32 posted...

Zeus posted...

Stop tagging me in a tracked topic.

How is anyone supposed to know what @ Zeus has tracked?

He does this weird thing where he routinely brags about how many notifications he has, he must be tracking every topic he posts in so he can try to win arguments several days later

No, I brag about the number of weird trolls who randomly talk about me in the third-person when I'm right in the damn topic and have some bizarre obsession with me. Among the male PotDers, I probably have the highest number of stalkers.
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Now he is bragging about how much celery he has I don't get it
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How am I supposed to know what you topics you track?

And I'm not sure if I believe you on your qualifications or GPA or other related things.

Zeus posted...

I think you have it reversed. If somebody graduated in the 90s, it would just be assumed you did it in 4. It wasn't until the 2000s when people started to take 5 years despite the difficulty being lowered so everybody could get a college education (so long as their check cleared)

I'm talking about a culture where employers don't ask those questions anymore, genius

green dragon posted...

How am I supposed to know what you topics you track?

And I'm not sure if I believe you on your qualifications or GPA or other related things.

And if I gave additional details -- like how far above 3.8 I was -- you would be even less inclined to believe me, so nothing really changes.

Rockies posted...

Zeus posted...

I think you have it reversed. If somebody graduated in the 90s, it would just be assumed you did it in 4. It wasn't until the 2000s when people started to take 5 years despite the difficulty being lowered so everybody could get a college education (so long as their check cleared)

I'm talking about a culture where employers don't ask those questions anymore, genius

I'm talking about a culture where people STARTED to ask those questions, genius. Up until recently, there hasn't been a real reason to ask because everybody did it in 4.
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