No Degree but extensive management level corporate experience

[Olive25 3]

I’m just curious to know what the job market is like on the West Coast? Specifically in Southern California… There’s a chance that I could get hired from a client if there’s an opening during the time I am approved and ready to move. But just in case the timing doesn’t match up.

I have over 8 years of experience in Marketing and Global sales in the technology sector. In my career, I have brought 2 technology start-ups from incubation to hitting revenues of over 1 Million within the first year (pure revenue driven from sales and no funding). In Canada and in my area, I have been lucky enough to be given a lot of opportunities despite not having a degree to prove myself. I have great references and just wanting to see what my chances are in getting a B2B Sales or marketing position is? I wouldn’t mind going back as an Account Manager and can work my way back up to building and managing a team after proving myself.

Every interview that I’ve had in the past, the company or hiring manager has asked me about my education. I’ve been able to prove that working my way up and taking additional courses have been a better investment for my career than to take 4 years to get a degree and have no experience. I started working full-time as an inside sales rep only weeks after graduating high school. Within that first year, I was promoted to manage the whole inside sales team (5 reps). I believe that once I get in the door, I work my butt off and they never think about it again.

I’ve been looking at a lot of positions recently and many of them will list very minimal experience but want a degree and a certain GPA. Recently there’s been a lot of articles that have been published about how a degree in this economy is a bad investment… how Google was quoted “GPA’s are worthless”. It is starting to feel like this is becoming a trendy topic, but it is very true to my world. I still understand the hesitation of interviewing with someone who only has minimal education (I have an Associates/Advanced Certificate… but no degree), however I do have a lot of experience and a track record with proof and references.

[lost_at_sea 995]

during the time I am approved and ready to move.

Approved for what?

[Olive25 3]

Approved for what?

My Visa. They is a position open now, but of course they need to fill it and won't wait for a 5-12 month wait for my K1 to be approved and then about 90 days for my EAD etc.

[Harsh_77 718]

You can try, I am sure there will be a company that would be willing to give you a try. You did not mention what your status is or will be when you move to US, that would help.

Unfortunately lot of the companies have gone to the automated system for handling the resumes, which I personally think is the dumbest way to look at any resume.

Automated system is only going to filter only resume that are close match to their requirements and would not look at any other significant experience a candidate would have.

Also CFOs, CTOs of major corporation like Google talk about GPA are irrelevant etc… but that is just talk. You are in marketing, I dont have to say anything you know it.

[lost_at_sea 995]

My Visa. They is a position open now, but of course they need to fill it and won't wait for a 5-12 month wait for my K1 to be approved and then about 90 days for my EAD etc.

Oh. K1. It doesn't say on your info. If you complete a timeline, you'll get an idea of when you might get a petition approval which may help you plan your move and job options better. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/102797-create-a-vj-timeline-to-track-your-case-and-get-estimated-approval-dates/

[Pooky 3,780]

You can try, I am sure there will be a company that would be willing to give you a try. You did not mention what your status is or will be when you move to US, that would help.

Unfortunately lot of the companies have gone to the automated system for handling the resumes, which I personally think is the dumbest way to look at any resume.

Automated system is only going to filter only resume that are close match to their requirements and would not look at any other significant experience a candidate would have.

Also CFOs, CTOs of major corporation like Google talk about GPA are irrelevant etc but that is just talk. You are in marketing, I dont have to say anything you know it.

My current position all boils down to 3 words on my résumé. I work in construction, in a field heavily weighted toward US experience, but one of our Project Managers had worked abroad and had put those words into our recruiters search.

Automated searches can get results, if you have a standout quality. However, working with a multi-national, or international company is also a good idea, especially if what differentiates you from the crowd is something uniquely foreign.

Good luck.

[camden 20]

This is some sound advice. I need to file this away in my mental rolodex for my husband. He's also a Project Manager.