Sales Position-Entry Level-Requires a four year degree...WTF

[JANdad]

I applied for an internal position with the company I work for. Keep in mind I have over 20 years experience in sales and experience managing a sales force of over 100 associates. This is the body of the email I received today:

Hi John –



I wanted to let you know I have spoken with the hiring manager for the Sales Support Specialist position which you had applied. They are looking for candidate with a minimum of a Bachelor Degree and have decided not to interview anyone who does not meet this qualification. Therefore, he has asked me to let you know that you will not be receiving an interview.



Thank you for your interest in this position. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

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Can someone here please explain to me how a recent college grad is more qualified for this position? I just don't get it...

[TBF]

1. They don't want to pay anything. n/t

[GentryDixon]

10. Bingo.

[Lost in CT]

2. It is a way to cull the herd.

It is often used to prevent minority candidates from applying.

It often has nothing to do with actual qualifications.

[NeedleCast]

3. Government Contract Position?

As an ex-contractor, that's not terribly uncommon. Many contracting companies, especially ones dealing with the feds or state government have their hands tied on these things. Plus, most contractors can get more money for your time if you have a degree.

[Corgigal]

4. Could they possibly be thinking cheaper?

Might think a younger person who is around 21 or 22 would take much less. I don't think they can legally put that in the ad but it might be the thinking.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. One word: "bucks"

That kid will work for less than half what you're worth.

[Hannah Bell]

6. They don't. But you knew that. It's an arbitrary hurdle to weed out applicants.

Or even to make it possible for them to select the applicant they've alreay decided on.

[JANdad]

9. Heres what pisses me off though...

I also applied for the position above this one (territory manager) and recieved an interview two days after I applied. The interview was going great then right at the end; as almost an afterthought the interviewer asked "Oh...do you have a degree?" to which I answered "no...is that a problem" (because the job posting only specified HS diploma) and guess what...it was a "problem".

I believe it is just another example of the "good 'ol boys network"

FUCK!

[Hannah Bell]

14. probably. always possible to find a reason to hire the person you want to hire.

or not hire the person you don't want to.

[Sequoia]

22. Answer: Abe Lincoln didn't have a degree.

I know...so what?

[Dr.Phool]

13. Yeah, the guy with the H1B visa.

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. It isn't about you being able to do your job.

It's about the HR manager being able to avoid doing his/her job.

Arbitrary requirements are great because they help them avoid making any difficult decisions; the resume scanning software does all the work for 'em.

[JANdad]

12. Bingo...

GAWD I hate HR...bunch of friggin lemmings...

[SeattleGirl]

8. They are devaluing actual experience.

Mind you, I am a proponent of education, and have a BA, as well as some master's level classes, but I also have 20 years experience in my field which has taught me things that no class ever did. And, despite that experience, there are some things I am not allowed to do because I don't have a master's degree, yet I have had interns under my wing who have had master's degrees.

IMHO, actual hands-on experience should count for more than it does in many jobs.

[JANdad]

11. Believe me...I understand where a degree is NEEDED

in some fields...but sales...please!

Is there even a BA program for "SALES"?

I don't get it...

[RobinA]

18. Well,

I have the Master's degree AND experience, and there's STILL a bunch of BS obstacles and hoops to jump. "We can't pay a Masters salary (the difference is nil in my field)." "You don't have this certification." I go get this certification (basically how to fill out paperwork). "Well, you don't have that certification." That certification being an overview of the Masters courses I took in year one of my degree. I said the hell with it and got a job with the state. I get the same pay for a Bachelors level position I would have gotten for a Masters level position in the private sector, I can move on up because I have the Masters and get more than I'd ever get in private sector, I'm in a union, I get actual raises, above average job security, and a decent array of bennies, even though I have to pay for most of them.

I suggest that anybody look into government. The conditions aren't always the best, not as good, for example, as those at my house when I was laid off from my two private sector jobs, but if the country doesn't completely meltdown before I vest, I should be OK.

[JerseygirlCT]

15. You know what?

They're probably just using this to weed things out. (My husband's place had a very low-level job opening - smallish place - they got over 300 resumes in 2 days).

I would use your sales experience and go back to them. Sell yourself. Tell them why their criteria should not apply to you. Tell them why they'd be foolish to pass up the opportunity to use a skilled and experienced salesperson.

Be polite, but persistent (which you already know, don't you?)

It seems to me you have nothing to lose, so long as you approach this professionally.

[PM Martin]

16. One of a few things at work here:

1) They want a young kid so they can pay him less than an experienced person such as yourself
2) HR is just too lazy to look at resumes so they require a college degree on the assumption that
they are more qualified

[2Design]

17. this started years ago - it is the legal way to discriminate - same as using agencies and temp work

[Greyhound]

19. Bingo! n/t

[eilen]

20. They did this to remove my nurse manager out of her position

She had over 20 years of experience in nursing and had been managing the floor for over 10 years. The floor consistently scored at the top in QI surveys and compliance checks. She kept a decent nurse/patient ratio and was not above answering a call light. She typically pulled 12 hour days. But she was from the old school, diploma nurse and knew the system and did not let anyone push her or her staff around. They kicked her into QI until she could qualify for retirement. Just because she did not have a BSN. We were all pissed. This was with some new CEO they inflicted on us who was supposed to be "temporary". He restructured the hospital. Things are much worse there now.

[slampoet]

21. I have seen Degree and 20 year exp required for jobs that pay 12 an hour.

and these are tech jobs not blue collar or whatever people call sales these days.

Funny thing is that once two people left that company (HR and one manager) the requirements for the same job were 3 years Exp and it paid 15 an hour.