How to treat lack of education on a resume?

Glad to send a recommendation, Craven. I'm also content cheering from the sidelines. Hold your dominion.

I'm good at getting testicles out of zippers, by the way - had a boyfriend who used to go "cammando" all the time...

Should I put it on my CV?

I ain't touching Craven's though - he has that monstrous one....

What is the difference between a curriculum vitae and a resume, by the way?

I have always done CV's.

A couple of people have mentioned recommendations, but I'm not sure how that's supposed to work (don't most employers only want recommendations from former colleagues or employers?)

Isn't Jes a colleague?

As a senior systems admin with an engineering degree in my past, I have interviewed many people over the years for IT jobs. I'll tell you this, sometimes I look at a resume and see their education and it actually hurts their chances. For example, there is one well known city university here in Silicon Valley whose engineering department has been overrun with asians. Faculty and student body both, and predominantly male.

They crank these students out with almost no liberal arts training, limited social skills and often poor English (many are recent immigrants or here on a visa). I tell you, when I see that school's name on a resume it raises a HUGE RED FLAG for me.

Call me what you will, if I'm going to hire someone they have to be able to communicate and work well with others.

You can use both. Personal recommendations from non-employers or colleagues may address their perception of your character, intelligence, reliability, potential, etc. Young people without a lot of work experience often can use letters from teachers, clergymen, even friend's parents. A well written letter by a highly placed individual (senator, judge, etc.) often can open doors.

cjhsa,

I have some Asian blood in me, so that may well be an inexorable limitation when dealing with similarly-minded employers.

Perhaps I should just be glad that I don't look too Asian? Or try to go to institutions that only allow whites to "overrun" their facilities?

I have no problem with anyone being asian, I have problems with schools that don't prepare their students for the American workforce.

I have a friend who was an associate Dean at that school and left for the same reason.

Craven- You don't type too well, but I think that your command of the English language is more than sufficient!

Isn't that one the biggest problems facing North American employers today - people are being trained to do specific jobs, but aren't receiving training about anything else in life.

Finding employees who are technically sound but are solid communicators able to think outside of their very specific field seems to be increasingly difficult.

Thoughts?

On that note Craven, from my observations it would appear that asians are more racist that just about any other society. They have some ranking system/pecking order amongst themselves that isn't very well hidden. My asian friends would back me up on this.

Anyway, good luck on your job search. I don't think the education issue is a biggie in the tech world, it helps but experience is a much bigger piece of the puzzle.

I agree, but don't plan on getting into race here more so than we already have. I think you just don't like me because I'm black. <shrugs>

OK, sorry for getting off topic.

Craven--

Your resume is going to be highly individual. Use the A2K to fill in some of the gaps.

Most employers ask for both personal and professional recommendations. On-line stuff can be faked, but you are welcome to use my mundane address and phone number (with my qualifications) on any application form--even the porn site. I'm sure other A2K members feel the same way.

The geographic variety alone would be impressive.

No prob cjhsa.

Tee hee hee, do I have your leg here?

The reference offers are really nice, but could that be a downside?

I can just imagine the interview:

"So how long have you known Robert?"

"Well, I only know him as Craven de Kere, and we've never met. But based on the message board interactions with him I think he'd do a great job at your company."

tee hee, well, it'd at least be interesting.

I was gonna say something like "...that's not my leg..." but I hijacked this thread once already.

Just point any potential employers to this website - look what you've done. That's huge to anyone who isn't an IT guru.

They'll be able to see that you are articulate, compassionate, reasonable, and even when you lose your cool you're not particularly unreasonable

Craven--

Every single person here who offered you a reference is capable of saying in colorful, cogent English prose that your unusual background makes you particularly valuable.

We've known you for several years and seen your development from a somewhat bumptious boy to a sensible, efficient young man.

Also, keep A2K in mind for college references. Your application would stand out--favorably.