Hi Paula,

I found this blog entry particularly interesting because I have seen people put into positions many times for who they know. I also know some people personally who have used that route to obtain a job. I do agree that networking and having the connections to open the door for a job are important but I strongly believe that the education and experience in being qualified is much more important.

I work for two different school districts and I can say without a doubt that both districts have hired, promoted, and kept people because of who they “know”. It’s sad to see because many of the people they hire or keep are not qualified or have committed extreme mistakes that should’ve warranted them being fired. A good example is of a woman in one district who has put different children in danger multiple times, one specific example is losing a child on a field trip. Instead of firing her she has been moved from school to school because she has several important family members who work in upper-management at the district office. Another case, when the district was doing cutbacks and laying off people, a man was offered another job site although he was low on the seniority list because his wife worked in upper-management and was technically in charge of his placement.

Even with current recession and cutbacks, the districts are still playing favorites of who they want to keep and fire. It could be due to the location, I don’t live in the city where jobs are more competitive but I would like to see people who are actually qualified for the jobs in employment than those who got there just because they “knew” someone. It’s like hiring someone to be a doctor when they never went to medical school because they knew the head of that department. I wouldn’t want a person not qualified diagnosing me, so employers should take the time to ensure the services they offer will be done by the best-suited and qualified person.

Hi Paula,

I found this blog entry particularly interesting because I have seen people put into positions many times for who they know. I also know some people personally who have used that route to obtain a job. I do agree that networking and having the connections to open the door for a job are important but I strongly believe that the education and experience in being qualified is much more important.

I work for two different school districts and I can say without a doubt that both districts have hired, promoted, and kept people because of who they “know”. It’s sad to see because many of the people they hire or keep are not qualified or have committed extreme mistakes that should’ve warranted them being fired. A good example is of a woman in one district who has put different children in danger multiple times, one specific example is losing a child on a field trip. Instead of firing her she has been moved from school to school because she has several important family members who work in upper-management at the district office. Another case, when the district was doing cutbacks and laying off people, a man was offered another job site although he was low on the seniority list because his wife worked in upper-management and was technically in charge of his placement.

Even with current recession and cutbacks, the districts are still playing favorites of who they want to keep and fire. It could be due to the location, I don’t live in the city where jobs are more competitive but I would like to see people who are actually qualified for the jobs in employment than those who got there just because they “knew” someone. It’s like hiring someone to be a doctor when they never went to medical school because they knew the head of that department. I wouldn’t want a person not qualified diagnosing me, so employers should take the time to ensure the services they offer will be done by the best-suited and qualified person.

Paula,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and agree with you completely- especially taking into account the current job market. I remember the days of employment being determined by who you knew, not what you knew. One guy I knew always obtained these great jobs, for amazing local companies, because he had a best friend with a lot of connections. At the time it was frustrating because I knew he was not qualified, and had other friends who were overly qualified being turned down for similar employment opportunities. I am glad to see things going back to what you know instead of who you know, but fear when the job market turns around what the employment process will be like.

My mother-in-law worked for a company for just under 25 years and was let go with a handful of other employees due to cut-backs. She thought with her experience, two associates degrees, and a glowing recommendation from her manager she would be able to obtain a job with ease. To her surprise, she was turned down over and over again. Now, nearly a year later, she has gone back to school to get her B.A.

If your overly-confident student gets hired he will learn quickly his uncle may get him in the door, but he will be responsible for keeping himself there.

Hi April 301-
Thanks for your comment. With your experience I understand that it is difficult to believe that there are students who underestimate the challenges of the job market. It was the reason I wrote the blog post "Read this before paying college tuition" was to help students understand what they are up against, in part so they can use their tuition dollars as an investment in their future (as you are). I'd love to hear your thoughts on that blog post. Anyhow, I am certain this student will have a conversation with his uncle over the holidays which will result in a healthy dose of reality.

Confidence and self-efficacy are great attributes when they are backed by something. It sounds like your experience has earned you the right to have self-efficacy. The degree will provide greater certainty to your future employer that you possess the range of skills. If the skills are in demand, I would imagine that the combination of the degree and your experience will serve you well.
I wish you great success -- and please keep us posted.

Paula

Good day,
I have never blogged before and have always been curious, reading your blog kind of hit home for me. I lost my job this last April. Being a bit cocky myself, because I have worked in my community for over 20 years, confidently started looking for work. My confidence quickly disappeared when I had two state agencies want to hire me but, I did not poses my B.A yet which, I had been working on a little at a time taking a class here and there. Pushing 40, I decided to go back to school full time. My point is that my experience and reputation certainly got me an interview but, my lack of education, even though I was working on it, got me passed by. It certainly takes both. Skills and experience speaks volumes to employers however, education backs it up. I am a bit surprised that there would be ANY college students who would be that self-assured about their future. It is a competitive job market all the way around, you add today`s economical crisis and you find seasoned educated people willing to work, lowering their salary expectations just to be employed. I do not envy today’s college students who graduate with their degree, lack experience and now are in competition with a new breed of job seekers.