Experience, not education, is a differentiating factor for most job candidates
Dear Sam: I am 46 years old and looking for a job. I am updating my résumé and am not sure how to list my education. I graduated from high school, then attended college for just one year before going to work for a local manufacturer. I worked my way up from a line associate to an assistant manager in the stamping department before I was let go last year.
I have more than 10 years of management experience but no college degree. How much (if any) of my education should I list on my résumé? Should I put down that I attended college for one year but did not graduate, or just leave it off all together? — Jay
Dear Jay: So many of my clients are in exactly your position, and typically, I will not include an education section on their résumés.
The rationale for omitting this information is that by presenting an education section, all you will do is point out a qualification you do not possess — thereby giving the reader a reason to screen you out.
Given that the first year of college is usually focused on general-education requirements, your studies likely did not provide you with specific knowledge related to your current career targets, so omitting information all together is likely the most appropriate strategy.
If you do find yourself applying for positions that really stress the need for a high-school diploma, making no mention of the need for any college education, I would go ahead and present the year in college to make sure the reader understands that you possess the required diploma. Only do this in instances where the reader may not be sure you have a diploma unless you point it out.
I rarely find education to be the reason a candidate doesn’t get the job. You really would not believe the number of seniorlevel candidates I work with that do not have a degree.
Focus on how your experience differentiates you, as that is the true way to qualify for a position. Best of luck.