Would you consider it lying if

[FlightlessDuck]

Wait... what?

Why would saying you have an MA be a bad thing? Because people think you are "over qualified"? I never understood that.

 

[klo1335]

I am actually a Recruiting Coordinator for a healthcare group. If we don't have all the information on our employees, it can affect our license. Also, my boss gets irritated if an applicant leaves out information. He will question me as a recruiter as to why I didn't know information once we become aware of it, and we always do. Never omit things from your application.

 

[Andtototoo]

I don't think it's lying. I don't include everything in my work history on every version of my resume. I tailor it to the job for which I'm applying, to highlight the aspects that make me a viable candidate. I'd be a fool to clutter up my resume with non-pertinent information that would distract.

I also know many many people who could not get jobs until they left off certain areas of their higher education. I have a friend, for example, who has a PhD in music theory and then couldn't get a job in that field. She went back for re-education in an entirely new field and could not get any bites. Feedback from multiple HR departments told her it was because of that PhD. They TOLD her to leave it off. She took that off and voila, got a job in her new field pdq.

 

[cabanafrau]

I am actually a Recruiting Coordinator for a healthcare group. If we don't have all the information on our employees, it can affect our license. Also, my boss gets irritated if an applicant leaves out information. He will question me as a recruiter as to why I didn't know information once we become aware of it, and we always do. Never omit things from your application.

But resume and application are different animals.

I think in many cases it is wise to leave the M A off the resume if it would be a distraction to prospective employers.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Wait... what?

Why would saying you have an MA be a bad thing? Because people think you are "over qualified"? I never understood that.

It's expensive to train new employees. They want employees that will match a job's responsibility. If someone with an MA applies for a job as a receptionist, what are the chances that person is going to stay in that position for a long time, very small. While that person may think they will be ok with the job, the monotony of the job will likely get to them in a short time or they see the job as a stepping stone and then that company would have to start the search process all over again. Not that there is anything wrong with being a receptionist but the skill requirement is just different.

Having an MA is not a bad thing or a good thing, it just is what it is but if you have one and are applying for a receptionist job, chances of your resume getting past the screening process are probably zero...so it's best to leave that off if it is a job you really want.

Maybe another example, say a doctor (MD) moves to a new area and decides she wants to be a nurse instead. What are the chances that a hospital will hire that doctor as a nurse, knowing that the doctor is used to being the one "in charge" and making decisions about the course of care, probably very slim. (assuming that dr also has an RN).

Or how about a corporate CEO applying for a customer service job...same thing...they are just over qualified for that spot.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Wait... what?

Why would saying you have an MA be a bad thing? Because people think you are "over qualified"? I never understood that.

In a tough job market, employers might consider the potential hire as a risk if the job and salary they are offering is lower than what that person might be worth elsewhere. What this means is that the employee is at greater trial of turnover as they may terminate employment when they find a better deal elsewhere.

Whether this is an accurate judgment, I don't know. But for some folks getting nowhere in the job market, it is a potential liability rather than an asset.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am actually a Recruiting Coordinator for a healthcare group. If we don't have all the information on our employees, it can affect our license. Also, my boss gets irritated if an applicant leaves out information. He will question me as a recruiter as to why I didn't know information once we become aware of it, and we always do. Never omit things from your application.

In that case, I would expect the application to require that nothing be omitted.

But I can't help but wonder why your license would need to know I had a Bachelor's in underwater basket weaving or that I was a cashier in a grocery store when I was 17.

Now, background checks for security clearances? Everything must be included on those for a set period of time. I think it is 10 years.

 

[nkereina]

One thing to consider is your potential for growth at that company. If you're trying to get your foot in the door by applying for a lower level position, you may WANT to include your MA because then they'll have that on record if you ever intend to post for a higher position or if they want to consider promoting you.

I have an MBA and fresh out of college, I took an Administrative Assistant position at a bank. I knowingly took a lower level role because it had great exposure to various facets of the bank and the industry, and after a year in that position, they promoted me. I was honest about my intentions in the interview, saying I'd like to take on the role as a good learning experience and intend to grow with the company. They liked this, knew I had an MBA, and went with it. The flipside would be if you're taking a job with a company where you know you have no room for growth - then it might be worth leaving the MA off, especially if it's irrelevant to the position.

 

[tina.tina]

State applications in Virginia require every single job you've ever had and all of your education/degrees. If you leave off something for any reason, it can affect your employment.

For a resume, I wouldn't have a problem with leaving it off because tailoring your resume is highly recommended.

 

[klo1335]

But I can't help but wonder why your license would need to know I had a Bachelor's in underwater basket weaving or that I was a cashier in a grocery store when I was 17

Because we are in healthcare, the state requires very specific information on our employees. I realize that healthcare is different but I still wouldn't omit things on your application or resume.

 

[Happy Snowman]

State applications in Virginia require every single job you've ever had and all of your education/degrees. If you leave off something for any reason, it can affect your employment.

For a resume, I wouldn't have a problem with leaving it off because tailoring your resume is highly recommended.

EVERY job--even back to when you were 14, 15, 16 years old? How about when I was 10 and had a paper route?? Is there a time limit, 10 year, 15 years? I'm not sure I could remember contact information for jobs I had in high school or college. What do you do then?

A resume is not a job application. I think each has different "requirements" for what is necessary information.

 

[tina.tina]

EVERY job--even back to when you were 14, 15, 16 years old? How about when I was 10 and had a paper route?? Is there a time limit, 10 year, 15 years? I'm not sure I could remember contact information for jobs I had in high school or college. What do you do then?

A resume is not a job application. I think each has different "requirements" for what is necessary information.

Yep, everything- no time limit. Even though we reiterated it to applicants again and again, when they came in to be fingerprinted they often realized we were serious and would start adding things to the application. We allowed statements such as "I don't recall" for dates, etc. If something was found that was not added but you could tell a good faith effort was made to list everything, it would probably be okay. But, any red flags were investigated further. Some of our investigators were retired FBI and enjoyed being thorough.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Yep, everything- no time limit. Even though we reiterated it to applicants again and again, when they came in to be fingerprinted they often realized we were serious and would start adding things to the application. We allowed statements such as "I don't recall" for dates, etc. If something was found that was not added but you could tell a good faith effort was made to list everything, it would probably be okay. But, any red flags were investigated further. Some of our investigators were retired FBI and enjoyed being thorough.

Wow!! That is a bit overboard but they didn't ask me . I'm sure that paper route I had when I was 10 was important. I don't think I even had a social security card yet then LOL . I had to have an FBI background check for my job. I only had to provide employment for the previous 10 or 15 years.

 

[tina.tina]

Wow!! That is a bit overboard but they didn't ask me . I'm sure that paper route I had when I was 10 was important. I don't think I even had a social security card yet then LOL . I had to have an FBI background check for my job. I only had to provide employment for the previous 10 or 15 years.

I had a person who had worked for the FBI tell me that ours was more in depth process- so definitely overkill!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Because we are in healthcare, the state requires very specific information on our employees. I realize that healthcare is different but I still wouldn't omit things on your application or resume.

I hope that is clearly stayed on the app. It would never occur to me that you needed to have my cashier position listed from 23 years ago unless I was using that to demonstrate customer service experience. It isn't an omission otherwise as it is completely irrelevant.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had a person who had worked for the FBI tell me that ours was more in depth process- so definitely overkill!

Sounds like you do thorough background checks. That is completely different. My husband's job did not require he list his bowling alley job when he applied. But his clearance application would have.

Again, I hope the physical application is clear that is what you expect.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I am still reading the replies but want to make something clear. I, Sheree Bobbins, do not have an MA nor did I apply for a job where I left it out of my resume.. It was a friend's daughter who couldn't find a job and so she took out the info. on the M.A. For the record, I have an MSN but have never left it out of a resume.

 

[klo1335]

OP was asking about her MA, which is degree, not a cashier position from 23 years ago. If she omitted a degree I would find it suspicious.

 

[Flight]

The question was asked about information on a resume. The resume should have education and work experience that is relevent to the position being sought.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OP was asking about her MA, which is degree, not a cashier position from 23 years ago. If she omitted a degree I would find it suspicious.

I did not mention that for the OP, but to whom I quoted.

And the OP is speaking of a resume. There is no requirement that information be included on it or excluded. You tailor to the position.

Fabricated information to include would most definitely be a problem.