Graduate CV

[flip_flop]

We've just had a CV in from a girl who has taken a year out after completing her degree and now wants to enter the job market.

Great A Level results - and a 2.1.

But....her A Levels are in Textiles, Art and Sociology and her degee is in Textiles.

We are in Reinsurance.

Why on earth would she think her degree would prepare her for the role we are advertising?

We don't need new curtains!

[venator]

Pulling the wool over peoples' eyes, Spinning a yarn, flanneling while knitting her brows, of course...

[samak]

Excellent Venator

[chelle7272]

lol venator, great answer....

[Ankou]

she could always stitch a few people up on their claim forms.

[evil__sheep]

as a serious answer, is the job you are advertising degree-specific, or do you just want someone who is educated to degree level. What sort of degree would prepare one for re-insurance?

[flip_flop]

Without wishing to sound flippant evil_sheep, the type of work involved requires an academic degree - not a degree in sewing.

Christ - they'll be giving out degrees in colouring-in at this rate.

[pa___ul3]

they do already flip-flop - it's called Geography!
It may be worth finding out what her degree entailed before you judge her, she could be perfect for the role!
My job now has nothing to do with my degree but I'm bloody good at it! (So much so I find time to post on AB!! haha!)

[evil__sheep]

so what degree do you need for reinsurance then? What degree would be acceptable to you?
Also, why be fixated on a degree? There are plenty of people who don't have a degree for various reasons but would probably be able to do the job

[Ankou]

did your job advert say 'ideally a degree in....'

[Iggle Piggle]

Give me a job ! I have a law degree and no-one wants to employ me as I haven't got 'the experience'.
Now no-one in the electronics field wants me either because they think I will clear off the moment a law type job comes along...
This has taught me a lesson in career change in my late 30's !!

[rojash]

"We are in Reinsurance."

So, in fact a degree in anything at all is probably an over-qualification.

[argorstran]

Have some sympathy , flip-flop . There are loads more graduates than there are jobs so like everyone else who doesn't have a job she is desperately applying for anything that she thinks she may be able to do . Why not give her a chance - you may be pleasantly surprised .

[DTCwordfan]

Maybe you guys are right at the "cutting edge" of your industry

[Old_Geezer]

Whilst I have some sympathy for your point of view, I suspect she hopes you will realise that the attainment of a degree, especially a 2-1, shows an ability to think and learn and keep at the task until it is done. And that as a company you should be looking for folk with potential, to train in the skills you need, rather than insist someone else pays for training and just buy in talent.

[saxy_jag]

Tend to agree with Old Geezer - there's much more to a degree in textiles than just making rooms look pretty. Any degree will cover research techniques, project planning, teamworking, communications, analysis skills and a whole lot more.

If she qualifies in other ways, why not interview her and ask her what she has gained from her degree study that she feels she can use in your line of business?

[boxtops]

I agree with OG and saxy - it's the ability to study and research at degree level which matters, not the topic. I worked in a brewery for some years and we recruited management trainees regularly, one had a degree in French medieval architecture - a great help when you're out with the draymen - but it was the ability to think at degre level which got him the job.

[boxtops]

PS - I have A level needlework and I worked for years in insurance in industry - nobody asked me to make curtains. Take no notice of the topic, it's the level of study which matters.

[flip_flop]

The post requires somebody who is very analytical and can negotiate cross border, multi-jurisdictional reinsurance treaties. Obviously not straightaway, it takes a lot of training and experience, but it is a very 'full-on' job.

The starting salary is £30k - not bad for a first job - and we are receiving CVs from graduates with good degrees in law, economics etc...

Should we really offer a textile graduate this type of opportunity?

[DTCwordfan]

I agree with you boxie and the others advocating the discipline of the mind. Its the personality that counts as well.

And what would you say if she puts herself fowards to do the Actuary qualifications - then there would be red-beetroots on some of your faces.

[DTCwordfan]

And flip-flop, that may be a question that you need to ask your interviewees/candidates - accountancy and actuary (or MBA as well - we had a fashion designer 1st degree at London Business School).