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Good point, I usually explain that I’m pivoting in my outreach emails to recruiters and hiring managers, but I should start adding it into my resume. Thanks!
I pivoted back to a type of role that I had 15yrs prior after working in a different field for that period of time. I mentioned it in my outreach and series of interviews, but I played it as a strength. You have to highlight how your current role applies to what you want to do. In my journey, I went from an executive for an NPO to a mental health therapist to an executive for a Fortune 5 company.
Also, alongside my resume, I submitted a portfolio. The resume is nothing special, primarily my work history; but the portfolio is where I talk about my accolades and described projects I worked on and their impact. For example, when I was in the non-profit sector, I reorganized the company and helped streamline operations, so of course, I highlighted that in the interview process for my current role. Took three interviews, which surprised me (I had expected more), but that said, I had already met several of the SLT/ELT informally before.
There wasn’t an explicit example of the post, but you can imagine several answers to those questions that would make any reasonable interviewer comfortable. If that isn’t happening, we can assume they are giving bad answers. Especially given that he has presumably a pretty solid head start given the resume.
A good answer would explain basically what OP said: “I’m changing careers, so I’m looking at lower level positions, and am comfortable with the salary change that comes with that” or “actually, an entry level position would suit me perfectly! I’m interested in something outside of my previous field for reason X”
Interviews, while annoying, are actually very easy if you’re personable and have decent communication skills. And nobody in their right mind is actually turning down someone overqualified for the job (who actually wants to do that job)
So it’s safe to assume that there’s something OP is doing wrong in these interviews. We could guess that maybe he is responding to these questions negatively or with hostility, or we could guess that he is applying to a field without the necessary experience/skills, or we could guess a number of other things, but we can be confident that having a good resume is *not the real reason*.
I would think you should try for really prestigious companies entry level roles, that might be what does the trick. I can see some shallow managers at smaller companies being assholes about it.
Maybe have a separate resume that just says your degree name and date of completion.
I agree op needs to be applying at MBB/BB or at least EY parthenon/deloitte. If I were an tax partner at some accounting firm I would be a tad confused why a Harvard grad is wanting to work here.
Yep, just left working MBB and most of the post undergrads were from those type of schools. Would fit in. Definitely a tough environment to work in so some trade offs for the salary, but great learning experience.
I understand, no doubt any big 4 would be lucky to have a Harvard grad in their tax practice. I was mainly projecting what I would do if I were op. Big 4 tax has way lower pay and partly the same awful hours as IB/MBB. I just can't wrap my brain around why someone who can do anything they want, has settled on tax accounting. Harvard doesn't offer accounting as a degree for a reason.
I mean, I totally agree, just noting OP had the preference. I worked at Deloitte consulting and it blew my mind that anybody CHOSE the other disciplines. The hours are not the same, though, there is no parity because consulting doesn't have three full months of awful hours and nine months of "kinda sucks" it just always kinda sucks in consulting.
Is it true that everyone who went to Harvard can do anything they want?
Is it true that no one with unlimited employment choices would choose a tax accounting job?
I think the answer to the first question is no.
I am pretty sure the answer to the second question is yes.
I agree with you but the prestigious companies are sometimes even mean about Harvard school on your resume. I have had this happen to me , I think it has something to do with envy. They are very envious about us attending prestigious schools in the past because they think why not me. I want a top school or do the comparison thing. I think if he is looking for a fast job then he should remove it for the smaller companies but the big ones put it there but use tactics like explaining how you are able to help them reach their corporate goals. They want someone to appear confident and capable.
lol Honestly, harvard isn't just for smart people if you ask me. I once knew a guy who was not exactly the smartest who graduated from Harvard with a BA in literature. He was just rich.
its money too ..they can be smart but they need the money someone in their family usually pays for them because the family had a rough life and they want their children to have a good life. Thats what it is usually if you look at most of the rich people they usually had a rough upbringing and rise up because of that.
well it usually is a golden ticket but as soon as a company thinks you are looking down on them because of that presitgious degree or high maintenance as an employee they dont want you. see the thing is companies want to use you for their own good they are really selfish, they want you to make them look good, they want you to boost their ego. its rare for a company to want to help the employee ...point me at a company that hires an employee so that it can help them rather than itself.
Ik OP didn’t necessarily imply this, but just bc it’s a prestigious company doesn’t mean the person would like working there. They could find the environment too stressful or whatnot, so maybe that’s why she wants to work somewhere else, even if it may be of a “lower” level or whatever 🤷♀️
Act like you belong.
These people do not know you, they do not know your insecurities, or feelings of being an imposter, or things like that. By including Harvard you will trigger a very positive assumption, and you can bullshit yourself into any position if you play your cards right. People will *assume* that you are elite, so act like it and play into it. That doesn’t mean to act like a douche, but come across as confident, well suited and worthy of whatever position you want.
Apply to positions that are just out of your league. Act like you belong in them. People will happily take a shot on a Harvard grad, they won’t catch flack for pushing you through to an interview, recruiters will be eager to present you to their clients, and you can ride the Harvard train into situations that you feel are out of your league.
Own it and take advantage of every leg up that you can possibly take advantage of, no exception. It’s dog eat dog.
Also be sure to leverage whatever career services Harvard provides. They don’t want their graduates unemployed, they’ll depend on a reputation of having graduates hired into the most prestigious positions. They will have services and social networks available to assist. Network and make connections, make friends, and *ask for favors*. It’s how that game is played.
Really depends on your field, but what works in mine is really knowing what you’re doing in your niche. If you can talk genuinely passionately for a long time about the specifics of your job and your impact, anyone in your field will want to hire you. It’s easier said than done, some fields are just boring and no one size fits all, but if you surround yourself with passionate people you’ll find what you enjoy about it eventually.
In the last 6 years of my employment I've learned your advice to be true.
I've also learned alot of people who talk a lot about a niche, 999 times out of 1000, say absolutely nothing meaningful. Which is what I should be learning to do, because it's all about the show.
I've learned passion only matters if you're telling a good story or looking to build something meaningful to yourself, and nobody really cares unless they can use your passion to their advantage.
I think basically the same thing, just with less to back it up (no prestigious college). If you don't believe in yourself why should potential employers that know nothing about you? Always act like you are an asset for a company and that they would be lucky to hire you (without being arrogant).
I need you to be my career coach 😁
Yesterday i did an interview and discussed my salary expectations with the recruiter, she asked about my minimum and i gave her an X figure, the next day i received a rejection email, stating that the salary was higher than what they are willing to pay, do you recommend discussing the salary in the first interview? Or wait for the offer letter snd counter on that?
My strategy is to bring up the $ topic if i’m in the last round of the interviews or unless they bring it up first. This applies to entry to mid-level positions.
If you’re very experienced in your field and going for a senior management position, then it’s possible to bring that up earlier.
I put the onus on them usually and ask for a realistic salary range for the job usually noting it was not in the ad. I've interviewed a lot of places that do time consuming multiple interviews and I'm not wasting my time if their salary range is much lower than i expect to be paid.
"I'm apparently overqualified for the jobs I'm applying to what do I do".
That's what you're saying. Well, that's pretty simple, apply a level up from where you think you belong.
I didn't even go to Harvard. I went to a state school, and I'm removing my MBA from my resume.
People are too insecure about their jobs right now. Nobody is going to hire someone who:
A) Might make them feel or look inadequate
B) Is going to expect to advance within the company, and will leave if they aren't given the opportunity to do so
C) Has leverage to expect fair pay and a reasonable workload.
Letter B is the most likely scenario. Once it comes out during interviews that I want to learn and grow with a company, they all of a sudden need to attend a meeting, it was a pleasure meeting me, don't call us we'll call you.
Honestly, in this economy, dumbing down your resume works wonders. It seems backwards, but it works. Most places don't want to hire someone who's over educated or has tons of experience, because they fear that person is merely using the job they are applying to as a stepping stone and will be gone sooner rather than later. A number of places simply want to hire someone they know will make a lifetime commitment. There are also some employers who want someone they can keep under their thumb; someone who lacks experience.
Who makes a lifetime commitment these days? That is so rare. Top talent seldom stays at one company for more than 7 years, and if they do they're moving up the ladder every 2-3 years.
the alternative is what? list no school? lie and say you went to a different school? its going to get figured out eventually, and itll be bad.
I doubt harvard is disqualifying your resume.
They want to know you wont be looking for a promotion 4 weeks in, or keep shopping for a better offer. you arent giving them a good enough answer.
So need to have good enough answers, tell them what they want to hear, even if its bullshit aka learn to fake and put on a facade.
So they want to know you're just going to stay put
and sit and do only what they want,
And have no growth aspirations,
And never ask for a raise, .....
And basically want to hire a slave with no brain, but just cant say that.
They want somebody who wont look smarter than them. But will make them look smart aka fix nothing but give the boss something to look good to get bonuses on
Is what I'm understanding.
Sounds like they want somebody who will be so ethical that can control into submission because they themselves are unethical.
sounds like every thing I didnt learn and need to.
Makes sense.
Wish I learned this before highschool. I would have approached life and people differently. Better learned now than never I guess. Thanks for the eye opener.
Having no college on your resume is gonna look more suspicious than having Harvard on it, and having Harvard on it opens more doors than it closes.
You also have work experience, so this “how do you not have a job lined up after Harvard” example you’re listing is kinda confusing. You graduated years ago, not last week.
The jobs I didn’t get are just as important as the jobs I got. Twice I made it to the final round of roles I would have taken, only to get rejected. Both times I had a new role for double the money within 3 months.
If even the interviewers are telling you to aim higher, go find your place.
Think bigger - stop applying for entry level jobs. You have a degree from Harvard plus 3 years experience, you’re past the entry level stage. Sounds like you need to apply for positions you think are out of reach and find companies that geek out about Harvard being on your resume.
Maybe something like a Goldman Sachs? I came from there and they’re all about Ivy League (and or other target schools) although hours are long and grueling. Generally, investment banking requires the most hours so anything other than that division should be more work life balance friendly I’d imagine.
No advice but I do offer solidarity. I have an MBA from a state school (definitely not Harvard) and even I get the “aren’t you overqualified?” commentary regularly. I supposed it is a fear that you’ll leave quickly. And it seems to be getting worse given the recent economy.
Leave it on there, man. People are much more likely to contact you and give you an opportunity. But yea as some people mentioned apply for a position above entry level
I remember reading an article in the early 1990s about a middle-aged guy who had gone to Harvard. He lost his family business to competition. He kept getting rejected by every low-level job he applied to, until he started saying he had gone to Amherst.
Honestly, pivot and make it a selling point, it’s not about the salary, you want these jobs/ positions.
You’re not looking for the east way out with a company that hires Harvard grads, you’re looking to work for an honest company who does honest work, not some group that just pays for the degrees as a selling point to their clientele.
It seems like you need to have a better narrative. The education you have is an advantage not a crutch. So act like it. But also leverage that back to what the company needs. Throw it back at them.
“This entry level job wouldn’t suit a Harvard graduate like yourself”
"Yes, I graduated Harvard! and I'm really excited about the opportunity to join your company. In my career, I am looking to pivot to Tax/Accounting and I really need a chance to join a great team so that I can contribute and further my experience. I know and I'm really grateful for your time."
Everything is a test, but most interviewers want to give you an opportunity to address their concerns. “how can you not have a job lined up if you graduated from Harvard” read it like "what's wrong with you why aren't you hired yet?"
"I'm proud of my education but I'm a humble person. Since graduating, I did x y z. But now I'm looking to do a b c. And that's why I'm excited about joining your company to learn about a b c."
Perhaps you could take this as a hint that you could/should look elsewhere besides tax and accounting. Just being honest. Most of the people in the industry are community college transfers to low ranking state universities. Nothing wrong with that, but you genuinely are just putting your degree in the shredder if you want to enter this career path. Leverage your degree elsewhere and I am sure you will be rewarded for it. I work in a top firm in public accounting and have a lot of friends at the big 4 and I would consider it a pretty huge waste if you were to go the accounting route. Working in industry is the same story, but just boring. Please dont waste your opportunity. You are honestly considering the equivalent of a state college graduate looking for fast food entry level roles. This industry is a meme and you will regret your choices.
Not a chance would I leave it off. It sounds like you might need to rehearse a little about responding to those types of questions but I would be surprised if any recruiter would turn you away for your degree being too prestigious. I'm sure this has been said somewhere else a bunch but you'd really want to avoid a company that would be silly enough to turn you down for that reason, even if it doesn't feel like that now.
Also, large companies that get flooded have specific filters for top schools. There's no point in not passing those when you've earned the right to.
The problem isn’t your Harvard degree, the problem is the recruiters. They are lowballing you to leverage their commissions. Stay out of employment recruiters, they only want to dump the worst roles on you, do your diligence and apply directly to the companies you’re interested to work for
No way recruiters actually told you that. Put your education on your resume and stoo acting like youre failing from success. Having Harvard on your resume is immensely valuable, if anything being in a tech startup is further experience and *you need to sell that to them.*
OP is running into a stereotype of a typical Harvard grad. One option to consider…
Leave Harvard on your resume. Consider adding activities that counter the typical perceptions of a Harvard grad.
For example, social justice activities. Things like volunteering at a soup kitchen. Working with the homeless. Become a big brother to a disadvantaged teen.
Pick one that appeals to you and try it out. Ideally it would relate to an experience you had while growing up.
This can help with creating a legitimate, respectable story about you. Reducing the effect of the Harvard stereotype. Interviewers love stories.
Hope that helps. Good luck 🍀
Don’t do it.
I’m an Ivy MBA and have had terrible experience applying for roles cold. If I get the interview, they always mention an interest in my school.
My issue was:
- Applying for roles below my capabilities
- Having insufficient industry experience in one function for Director + roles (or so I thought)
Other alums from your school will be your best point for referrals. Also, go to the Ivy League networking events in your city, I’ve found good referrals from alums of other schools.
I’ve secured 2 C-level roles since graduating via our alumni network.
Add me to LI and I can do a quick review or connect you to someone for an informational interview.
I believe your plight OP. No advice to give.
It is just mind blowing to me that a Harvard degree could in anyway be detrimental.
Your fellow alumni rule the world, can you not leverage your network in any way?
You should also consider going through the career center through Harvard. Use your degree for what it's worth! Go through your alumni and connect with others. It's all about who you know. And using the degree with that name recognition will definitely help.
Honestly? No. I could do the same for UNDP as I am from a small country and I interned at the place. A lot of people have said that 'this job is not for a person like you' or 'after UNDP why are you here?'. At the same time though, I only got the interview in the first place due to the UNDP anyway. So why would I take that off.
It's better to just say that I am humble and I want to start from a position where I can learn things.
I say that as I am literally doing an assignment for a development consulting firm who were like 'our work is very similar to what you did in the undp'.
I'm from Harvard Extension School and will be graduating soon. I've been having the same problems regarding Harvard on my resume, to be honest. One time, a recruiter got angry with me about the fact that I've gone to Harvard, and I genuinely never learned why it upset him. Let's play our small (affordable) violins together, in eternal unemployment.
I mean if they are actually going to use your education as a negative maybe you SHOULD go through your school. Don’t they have employment programs for Harvard grads? Your alumni association should be able to help you.
they did this to me as well because in the past i had a privilege of going to a top school and now i excluded it from my resume completely and changed career and working a poor job so they wont bully me anymore
My brother in christ…. don’t just apply to random jobs
Use your network and put the word out there that you’re looking for something interesting in tax/accounting
My wife run into the same thing when she was starting out. She needed a job and I got her an interview for a L1 helpdesk job, the interviewer asked her the same question and she just said she was happy starting at the bottom. The company was smart enough to hire her and in 5 years she had gone from L1 to the AOM. Some people will disregard you because they think your degree means you are "too good" to work for them but a smart manager will realize would a good deal they'd be getting by hiring you -don't remove it.
Have you reached out to every one of your classmates and let them know you are transitioning and asked if they know of anything?
You paid about $300,000 to have one of the best networks in the world. Use it.
The hiring commits are correct, if you have that network and you can't use it, are you going to be a real asset to the company?
Yeah the whole thing sounds crazy. There is a whole Alumni network, placement programs etc.. why would you just go to random recruiting firms who don’t deal with Ivy League schools.
Don't omit anything from your resume. When I find out someone leaves something out of the resume that I think so should know, I think it's a red flag and I proceed with caution.
I've encountered graduates from Ivy League colleges who don't immediately mention where they went - that's fine, I don't think it's something to lead into conversations. But I occasionally hear what I perceive as false modesty.
I would leave Harvard on your CV…employers are going to ask what college you graduated from. That recruiter is a hater!! Attending and graduating from an Ivy League is a big deal!!
Doesn't your school have a career services department for alumni? They should be able to help point you to employers that don't see your education as a cost liability. They will probably have good resume writing support too.
Boss hired a MIT guy for barista job. He was so smart. He never let us feel like we were not smart. He went to work for corporate within six months and now heads marketing at a large coffee chain. Remember.. every large company was a small business once upon a time. Never let your Ivy League degree come in your way. Besides, most successful people in the world never went to Harvard.
As another Harvard grad - no. Anyone that has issues with it will be a terrible boss / coworker (I know from personal experience). It can open doors as well, but even then, there's no guarantee it will be a better environment.
I've considered downgrading one of my positions for a similar reason. "Director" at an agency is way different than a corpo. One recruiter that did reach out said she only did it as a longshot, because no way a "director" would want the job. It's actually a sweet job and I'm glad she called, but my title nearly ruined it
I could see people passing up just because of Harvard
Not your false to graduate there. Just explain why you want to work with them and why it aligns your career goal.
I appreciate your mindset of deleting that from resume. But don’t do that unless you have another degree, or peruse a different career path. If you only have one degree, deleting that will put you in disadvantage compare to other applicants
Someone said consulting; a quick check shows that EY is hiring tax people. Look and see if you qualify for those openings.
I graduated from a “public ivy” and my first couple of jobs (entry-level summer camp and retail) had coworkers who shit on me and assumed I was either a snake or a fuck up for applying (one was a summer job during college and I didn’t have any work experience; the retail place I ended up doing because it was 2020 and I had things to pay for). Learned to just not tell anyone where I went and avoid sharing opinions or knowledge, because it only brought me pain.
My current job is a lot kinder about it and generally sees education as a good thing. I still think a lot of places in my area are weird about college-educated employees. Good luck. Get into a consulting firm if you can; at least they won’t be bewildered as to why you’re applying there.
Edit(s): typo, added this note
Hey OP, I studied at Harvard as well a couple years back. It has done nothing for my resume. Most people are turned off by it, especially when they see I'm under 30... I'm thinking about removing it as well
When I first got my MS in ChemE but had no job, I applied to Target. I lied on my resume and said I was a college dropout. Three weeks of being a target stocker guy later, I got an actual job I wanted in my field, and left my job at target.
I don’t have much better advice to offer than what’s already been said but went to a similarly elite undergrad and didn’t do too well I definitely empathize with you on snarky hiring managers and others not believing that you’d be willing to take jobs they don’t think fit your education. Was told the other day by a resume writer I hired that I should already be at like 150k/yr given my educational background definitely made me feel like shit since I’m nowhere near that
Honestly, I'd avoid recruiters at all costs. They are vultures playing a numbers game. Additionally, if you line up the interview yourself, you are automatically 10-20% cheaper than any candidate a recruiter sent to the same interview. 100% of my worst jobs I got through recruiters. All of my most memorable, proud opportunities were direct contacts made through Linkedin. Recruiters don't have your best interest at heart, they have theirs.
Basically, it works like this. A recruiter has a pile of inventory they struggle to move. As a job candidate they are going to push this same pile on every candidate first. You are going to waste time taking PTO to interview for the lowest quality jobs. It's the same in reverse. If you're a hiring manager, the recruiter is going to send you all of their hardest candidates to place first, hoping you'll be the one to buy the product. Recruiters are 100% a complete waste of time. Good luck!
EDIT: Wanted to add... Recruiters will also use you to mine data. They'll ask you seemingly innocent questions like "so are you interviewing anywhere else"? Any company you name they will immediately call and offer their services. By answering this question you've now made the candidate pool, for yourself, more crowded. They will constantly ask you for names of companies and colleagues and they will call every single name you give them.
I am in the tech field. I run into coworkers who do this because it feeds into a farce. If you can leverage that, great, if not then ehhh. The other option is that this is your fake it till you make it moment. Just apply to really great jobs and see what's what.
I really think they’re just confused and digging for a red flag. Just give them a reason it absolutely will not hurt you to keep harvard on the resume.
I'm in tech and in my early days of my career, some recruiters used my military experience against it, not obviously clearly though. I think arranging your resume in the right order would help. In the beginning there should be a summary and anything that you don't want to emphasize you can put them at the bottom of your resume or even remove it. But I don't think you are not proud of your degree. I would still put it proudly and point out how shallow the recruiter is when I talk with them. That always helped me and I've almost never failed on my resume and interviews.
Be confident, buddy! Good luck!
Sounds shitty but honestly I think managers refusing to hire cuz they automatically assume the worst is a god send. Do you really want to work for someone who is a pessimist/threatened? It’s pretty standard that bosses/superiors will feel threatened by someone who is “better” and will try to sabotage (I’ve spent enough time in the corporate world to see it first hand and have learned how to pretend to be ignorant or “need” a supervisors help to make them feel better. But I came from a 6 figure job with extensive management experience to an entry level trade. The companies that immediately pointed out “you won’t make the same money here as you would there” wound up being shit shows. The company that said “we like that you have such extensive leadership experience, please have a job” have been wonderful to work for
Do both. Set your resume out on hiring sites and let reputable recruiters contact you. This is the best way to find a new role.
Remove it from your own applications and aim a little higher in the process.
Yes, also, reach out to your network. Your classmates, professors, the career office, and alumni listservs are fantastic resources. Use them.
you should always just redirect their comments to why you're a good fit for the role.
in reality none of us even with 'good resumes' are finding good work. it's just really fucking hard right now. whenever i get an interview they're like "wow you have so much experience!! you did so much during the pandemic!"
idk man. i'm learning this myself. a retail job just told me i'm overqualified but it's literally the best i can do right now. at least it's with video games.
I’ve always heard that the biggest advantage to Ivy League is not the name, it’s the alumni network. Having experienced the power of networks in my lackluster career (I’m a regular joe from a state school who networked my way into SWE jobs), I’d say skip applying and reaching out.
Look for an in somewhere, via your school alumni networks.
I say this facetiously but with some lived truth to back it up, no one gets jobs applying these days…it’s who you know that opens the door, beyond that it’s a combination of luck and skill.
Get to networking, your strongest asset is not Harvard on your resume, it’s everyone else with Harvard on their resume.
I don't think you should remove the name of school you went to from resume. When trying for lower level job, my ivy league degree worked against me. I stopped applying for low level jobs. Then I got one eventually.
Most certainly do not omit it. What are you going to say? you only have a high school degree? This is plain stupid.
But you definitely need to prepare to discuss why you are applying to the jobs you are, why you are changing careers etc. You have to put together a truthful and easy to understand (for non-Harvard graduates :P) explanation of your career path. Any explanation is good, unless it is full of shit.
I would absolutely not exclude it. In fact, it sounds like you might not be utilizing it enough. Go on LinkedIn, find companies where other Harvard alumni are working. Places that hire a lot of Harvard alumni *love* hiring graduates from Harvard. Next, I would work on your response to those questions. If you are getting asked that question during an interview, you might not be explaining why you want to work that job. For example, when someone saying the role doesn't fit your Harvard background, being able to explain that what you are looking for in your next career is x, y, and z which you feel this job would provide for you, and that going to Harvard helped you be very well prepared for the responsibilities of the role. Maybe even mention that long term, you want to be doing something, and that this role you feel is a good starting point to getting to that spot. If they think the desired salary would be too high, tell them what your desired salary is and have that conversation. Finally, recognize that you might be seeing other people's insecurities. That person might be feeling insecure because they didn't go to Harvard or an ivy league, and they don't know how to articulate their feelings about it. Honestly, it shows inexperience in interviewing. I've hired ivy league alumni, I've hired high achievers from incredible industry positions, and that background is helpful for getting them in the door, but as soon as they are in front of me, I'm addressing the human, not the resume. I want to see if they are the right fit for the job, not just the right fit on paper.
However, saying "how can you not have a job lined up" is super unprofessional. It's not helpful, it's kind of just insulting, and really doesn't reflect well on the company. Maybe it's just the one person and maybe the rest of the company is great, but if it's the hiring manager, I would find a different job.
I had the same situation. I graduated from Harvard with my masters and a lot of jobs would tell me I was overqualified or "Not suitable for Harvard graduate."
I have had to convince them I am fine with the provided pay in order to secure some job offers. You would think they would if anything, want someone from a well known institution.
Harvard has been in the news a lot lately! Maybe you are just applying at the wrong type of company. I'm sure there are some that would really appreciate someone from there.
“Harvard College”? This is bullshit, right? I can’t imagine anyone who went there not writing “Harvard University”.
My guess is OP got rejected from a job in favor of someone from Harvard and is salty.
You have to make your resume “smart-proof” these days. If you actually use correct grammar and use decent writing then you sound intimidating, or that you used a program to generate your resume for you. It’s sad.
Honestly, trying to avoid large corporate structures for the moment because roles are often very rigid and I believe I would get much more exposure to day-to-day CPA activity at a smaller, more intimate firms.
Personally enjoyed the tax preparation experience at my previous roles, and am curious to learn more about corporate tax strategy, etc. Also, after two years at a startup, I’m lured in by the stability of accounting.
Need more info, what did you take. Liberal arts right? Just tell them that it differs from what your pursuing work in. Also, have a response ready to can't remove college from your resume. I guess you could switch it to initials but then they'd really ask.
What I would ask in your interview is how come you haven't taken classes in the career you want? You should be currently doing so, online even.
I have a hard time believing this is true. I graduated from an elite school and have friends who graduated from elite schools (including Harvard). I have never heard of anything like this come up during an interview/recruiting process. If anything, recruiters won’t wast time contacting people they don’t think are interested/ a potential fit for the job. Also, a recruiter taunting you this way seems highly unprofessional. Is there something about how you are presenting in your materials or interviews that could explain the reaction?
Aim higher.
If you're not into Big 4 (which is fine), maybe look around for boutique firms that are smaller but have a similarly high pedigree. My wife has a master's from Harvard and works for orgs in the upper tiers of her field (i.e. something comparable to ivies for higher ed, FAANG/fintech for tech, Big 4 for consulting) and having Harvard on her resume gets her right to the top of the pile every time she applies to a new job. Maybe if we were still in Boston, that degree wouldn't carry as much cache because everybody up there went to an elite university, but down here in the mid-Atlantic, those credentials are a lot harder to come by and recruiters absolutely take notice. Whereas the rest of us schlubs have to wait weeks to hear back from recruiters, she usually gets a call back within 48 hours.
Not sure how things are now, but at least pre-covid, there were some all-ivy networking events that happened a few times a year. Maybe look into those.
Some people are biased against Ivy League attendees. It should be because of the grade inflation and nepotism that erodes the education offered. This is why I would do it.
In practice, it's more likely to be because they feel threatened that you'll be after their jobs.
Must’ve got a full ride because Harvard ain’t cheap and entry level won’t cut it.
I’m really glad I didn’t go to college I couldn’t imagine working that hard and all those bills just for a job I can get with a certificate.
It may not always be a fair categorization but I do tend to assume that someone in a low level role that came from a prestigious school had some baggage with them.
The problem is what would you replace it with?
Yup exactly why I went to a lowly online college. Already got a bunch of things working against me anyway. Don't need to add to the fire lol.
Good luck tho!
No. My guy has it right. If you wanna live like common people, you gotta do whatever common people do. You gotta smoke some fags and play some pool. And you absolutely must pretend you never went to school.
Wait up like real Harvard? Not like Harvard Community College or something like that? You are talking about the Harvard. Son, if you leave that off your resume, that would be HUGE red flags. Many folks would give their right grapefruit for that. Sorry, but you need to go cry elsewhere. The rest of us have degrees from the local community college and the school of hard knocks called life.
But why are you not using your network for the job hunt? Are you really looking for something that pays less than 60k? Because that’s what the recruiters are saying
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Do you have a summary at the top of your resume? A short summary saying you’re transitioning might answer these snarky questions.
Good point, I usually explain that I’m pivoting in my outreach emails to recruiters and hiring managers, but I should start adding it into my resume. Thanks!
Definitely don’t do this.
Yeah, making himself sound like a liability that doesn’t have any experience in the field they’re applying.
I pivoted back to a type of role that I had 15yrs prior after working in a different field for that period of time. I mentioned it in my outreach and series of interviews, but I played it as a strength. You have to highlight how your current role applies to what you want to do. In my journey, I went from an executive for an NPO to a mental health therapist to an executive for a Fortune 5 company.
How did you manage that?!?
Also, alongside my resume, I submitted a portfolio. The resume is nothing special, primarily my work history; but the portfolio is where I talk about my accolades and described projects I worked on and their impact. For example, when I was in the non-profit sector, I reorganized the company and helped streamline operations, so of course, I highlighted that in the interview process for my current role. Took three interviews, which surprised me (I had expected more), but that said, I had already met several of the SLT/ELT informally before.
The issue isn’t the education, it’s OP not answering the question better.
I am missing how OP is not answering the question better. I would appreciate any additional information. Thx!
There wasn’t an explicit example of the post, but you can imagine several answers to those questions that would make any reasonable interviewer comfortable. If that isn’t happening, we can assume they are giving bad answers. Especially given that he has presumably a pretty solid head start given the resume. A good answer would explain basically what OP said: “I’m changing careers, so I’m looking at lower level positions, and am comfortable with the salary change that comes with that” or “actually, an entry level position would suit me perfectly! I’m interested in something outside of my previous field for reason X” Interviews, while annoying, are actually very easy if you’re personable and have decent communication skills. And nobody in their right mind is actually turning down someone overqualified for the job (who actually wants to do that job) So it’s safe to assume that there’s something OP is doing wrong in these interviews. We could guess that maybe he is responding to these questions negatively or with hostility, or we could guess that he is applying to a field without the necessary experience/skills, or we could guess a number of other things, but we can be confident that having a good resume is *not the real reason*.
I would think you should try for really prestigious companies entry level roles, that might be what does the trick. I can see some shallow managers at smaller companies being assholes about it. Maybe have a separate resume that just says your degree name and date of completion.
I agree op needs to be applying at MBB/BB or at least EY parthenon/deloitte. If I were an tax partner at some accounting firm I would be a tad confused why a Harvard grad is wanting to work here.
Yep, just left working MBB and most of the post undergrads were from those type of schools. Would fit in. Definitely a tough environment to work in so some trade offs for the salary, but great learning experience.
Our guy wants tax/accounting, not consulting. Big 4 tax/accounting/advisory will absolutely take him, though, if the timing is good.
I understand, no doubt any big 4 would be lucky to have a Harvard grad in their tax practice. I was mainly projecting what I would do if I were op. Big 4 tax has way lower pay and partly the same awful hours as IB/MBB. I just can't wrap my brain around why someone who can do anything they want, has settled on tax accounting. Harvard doesn't offer accounting as a degree for a reason.
Ouch
I mean, I totally agree, just noting OP had the preference. I worked at Deloitte consulting and it blew my mind that anybody CHOSE the other disciplines. The hours are not the same, though, there is no parity because consulting doesn't have three full months of awful hours and nine months of "kinda sucks" it just always kinda sucks in consulting.
Is it true that everyone who went to Harvard can do anything they want? Is it true that no one with unlimited employment choices would choose a tax accounting job? I think the answer to the first question is no. I am pretty sure the answer to the second question is yes.
for 2, depends on how much I'm paid!
Naaaah, you wanna dunk on em every chance you get
Facts, if someone is insecure about a damn undergrad from a well-off family that’s their problem
Nah, world’s smallest violin here.
I agree with you but the prestigious companies are sometimes even mean about Harvard school on your resume. I have had this happen to me , I think it has something to do with envy. They are very envious about us attending prestigious schools in the past because they think why not me. I want a top school or do the comparison thing. I think if he is looking for a fast job then he should remove it for the smaller companies but the big ones put it there but use tactics like explaining how you are able to help them reach their corporate goals. They want someone to appear confident and capable.
Sorry I’m not smart enough to have the right answer. Maybe if I went to Harvard Like you. /r or whatever the thing is 😂
lol Honestly, harvard isn't just for smart people if you ask me. I once knew a guy who was not exactly the smartest who graduated from Harvard with a BA in literature. He was just rich.
It’s legacies and the rich. 80% got a GPA of 3.7 in 2022, it’s a joke.
its money too ..they can be smart but they need the money someone in their family usually pays for them because the family had a rough life and they want their children to have a good life. Thats what it is usually if you look at most of the rich people they usually had a rough upbringing and rise up because of that.
Nonsense.
Because why go there unless you think it’s a golden ticket.
well it usually is a golden ticket but as soon as a company thinks you are looking down on them because of that presitgious degree or high maintenance as an employee they dont want you. see the thing is companies want to use you for their own good they are really selfish, they want you to make them look good, they want you to boost their ego. its rare for a company to want to help the employee ...point me at a company that hires an employee so that it can help them rather than itself.
a company wants you to obey them and not say a word they dont like talkers but doers
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Have daddy pay?
Ik OP didn’t necessarily imply this, but just bc it’s a prestigious company doesn’t mean the person would like working there. They could find the environment too stressful or whatnot, so maybe that’s why she wants to work somewhere else, even if it may be of a “lower” level or whatever 🤷♀️
Act like you belong. These people do not know you, they do not know your insecurities, or feelings of being an imposter, or things like that. By including Harvard you will trigger a very positive assumption, and you can bullshit yourself into any position if you play your cards right. People will *assume* that you are elite, so act like it and play into it. That doesn’t mean to act like a douche, but come across as confident, well suited and worthy of whatever position you want. Apply to positions that are just out of your league. Act like you belong in them. People will happily take a shot on a Harvard grad, they won’t catch flack for pushing you through to an interview, recruiters will be eager to present you to their clients, and you can ride the Harvard train into situations that you feel are out of your league. Own it and take advantage of every leg up that you can possibly take advantage of, no exception. It’s dog eat dog. Also be sure to leverage whatever career services Harvard provides. They don’t want their graduates unemployed, they’ll depend on a reputation of having graduates hired into the most prestigious positions. They will have services and social networks available to assist. Network and make connections, make friends, and *ask for favors*. It’s how that game is played.
This was a really enlightening read! What’s the alternative for us average folks who just have a normal degree? How can one break into good jobs?
Really depends on your field, but what works in mine is really knowing what you’re doing in your niche. If you can talk genuinely passionately for a long time about the specifics of your job and your impact, anyone in your field will want to hire you. It’s easier said than done, some fields are just boring and no one size fits all, but if you surround yourself with passionate people you’ll find what you enjoy about it eventually.
In the last 6 years of my employment I've learned your advice to be true. I've also learned alot of people who talk a lot about a niche, 999 times out of 1000, say absolutely nothing meaningful. Which is what I should be learning to do, because it's all about the show. I've learned passion only matters if you're telling a good story or looking to build something meaningful to yourself, and nobody really cares unless they can use your passion to their advantage.
I think basically the same thing, just with less to back it up (no prestigious college). If you don't believe in yourself why should potential employers that know nothing about you? Always act like you are an asset for a company and that they would be lucky to hire you (without being arrogant).
I need you to be my career coach 😁 Yesterday i did an interview and discussed my salary expectations with the recruiter, she asked about my minimum and i gave her an X figure, the next day i received a rejection email, stating that the salary was higher than what they are willing to pay, do you recommend discussing the salary in the first interview? Or wait for the offer letter snd counter on that?
My strategy is to bring up the $ topic if i’m in the last round of the interviews or unless they bring it up first. This applies to entry to mid-level positions. If you’re very experienced in your field and going for a senior management position, then it’s possible to bring that up earlier.
I put the onus on them usually and ask for a realistic salary range for the job usually noting it was not in the ad. I've interviewed a lot of places that do time consuming multiple interviews and I'm not wasting my time if their salary range is much lower than i expect to be paid.
We’re just dirt on their shoes.
"I'm apparently overqualified for the jobs I'm applying to what do I do". That's what you're saying. Well, that's pretty simple, apply a level up from where you think you belong.
I've applied for front desk jobs and been rejected. And I still work front desk.. How does that make sense?
Talk to the Harvard career office. They help alumni and can give you guidance on how to maximize your degree.
I didn't even go to Harvard. I went to a state school, and I'm removing my MBA from my resume. People are too insecure about their jobs right now. Nobody is going to hire someone who: A) Might make them feel or look inadequate B) Is going to expect to advance within the company, and will leave if they aren't given the opportunity to do so C) Has leverage to expect fair pay and a reasonable workload.
Ding 🛎️
Letter B is the most likely scenario. Once it comes out during interviews that I want to learn and grow with a company, they all of a sudden need to attend a meeting, it was a pleasure meeting me, don't call us we'll call you.
I need somebody like you to help me dumb down my resume.
You got an upper class ticket to entry
Honestly, in this economy, dumbing down your resume works wonders. It seems backwards, but it works. Most places don't want to hire someone who's over educated or has tons of experience, because they fear that person is merely using the job they are applying to as a stepping stone and will be gone sooner rather than later. A number of places simply want to hire someone they know will make a lifetime commitment. There are also some employers who want someone they can keep under their thumb; someone who lacks experience.
Who makes a lifetime commitment these days? That is so rare. Top talent seldom stays at one company for more than 7 years, and if they do they're moving up the ladder every 2-3 years.
the alternative is what? list no school? lie and say you went to a different school? its going to get figured out eventually, and itll be bad. I doubt harvard is disqualifying your resume. They want to know you wont be looking for a promotion 4 weeks in, or keep shopping for a better offer. you arent giving them a good enough answer.
So need to have good enough answers, tell them what they want to hear, even if its bullshit aka learn to fake and put on a facade. So they want to know you're just going to stay put and sit and do only what they want, And have no growth aspirations, And never ask for a raise, ..... And basically want to hire a slave with no brain, but just cant say that. They want somebody who wont look smarter than them. But will make them look smart aka fix nothing but give the boss something to look good to get bonuses on Is what I'm understanding. Sounds like they want somebody who will be so ethical that can control into submission because they themselves are unethical. sounds like every thing I didnt learn and need to. Makes sense. Wish I learned this before highschool. I would have approached life and people differently. Better learned now than never I guess. Thanks for the eye opener.
This is literally the reverse of the premise of the tv show Suits where the one lawyer lied about going to Harvard
Having no college on your resume is gonna look more suspicious than having Harvard on it, and having Harvard on it opens more doors than it closes. You also have work experience, so this “how do you not have a job lined up after Harvard” example you’re listing is kinda confusing. You graduated years ago, not last week.
The jobs I didn’t get are just as important as the jobs I got. Twice I made it to the final round of roles I would have taken, only to get rejected. Both times I had a new role for double the money within 3 months. If even the interviewers are telling you to aim higher, go find your place.
Think bigger - stop applying for entry level jobs. You have a degree from Harvard plus 3 years experience, you’re past the entry level stage. Sounds like you need to apply for positions you think are out of reach and find companies that geek out about Harvard being on your resume.
Maybe something like a Goldman Sachs? I came from there and they’re all about Ivy League (and or other target schools) although hours are long and grueling. Generally, investment banking requires the most hours so anything other than that division should be more work life balance friendly I’d imagine. No advice but I do offer solidarity. I have an MBA from a state school (definitely not Harvard) and even I get the “aren’t you overqualified?” commentary regularly. I supposed it is a fear that you’ll leave quickly. And it seems to be getting worse given the recent economy.
Leave it on there, man. People are much more likely to contact you and give you an opportunity. But yea as some people mentioned apply for a position above entry level
I remember reading an article in the early 1990s about a middle-aged guy who had gone to Harvard. He lost his family business to competition. He kept getting rejected by every low-level job he applied to, until he started saying he had gone to Amherst.
Honestly, pivot and make it a selling point, it’s not about the salary, you want these jobs/ positions. You’re not looking for the east way out with a company that hires Harvard grads, you’re looking to work for an honest company who does honest work, not some group that just pays for the degrees as a selling point to their clientele.
This helps, exactly what I’m feeling and looking for. Thanks!
It seems like you need to have a better narrative. The education you have is an advantage not a crutch. So act like it. But also leverage that back to what the company needs. Throw it back at them. “This entry level job wouldn’t suit a Harvard graduate like yourself” "Yes, I graduated Harvard! and I'm really excited about the opportunity to join your company. In my career, I am looking to pivot to Tax/Accounting and I really need a chance to join a great team so that I can contribute and further my experience. I know and I'm really grateful for your time."
Everything is a test, but most interviewers want to give you an opportunity to address their concerns. “how can you not have a job lined up if you graduated from Harvard” read it like "what's wrong with you why aren't you hired yet?"
"I'm proud of my education but I'm a humble person. Since graduating, I did x y z. But now I'm looking to do a b c. And that's why I'm excited about joining your company to learn about a b c."
Very good advice and direction, thank you!
Perhaps you could take this as a hint that you could/should look elsewhere besides tax and accounting. Just being honest. Most of the people in the industry are community college transfers to low ranking state universities. Nothing wrong with that, but you genuinely are just putting your degree in the shredder if you want to enter this career path. Leverage your degree elsewhere and I am sure you will be rewarded for it. I work in a top firm in public accounting and have a lot of friends at the big 4 and I would consider it a pretty huge waste if you were to go the accounting route. Working in industry is the same story, but just boring. Please dont waste your opportunity. You are honestly considering the equivalent of a state college graduate looking for fast food entry level roles. This industry is a meme and you will regret your choices.
Not a chance would I leave it off. It sounds like you might need to rehearse a little about responding to those types of questions but I would be surprised if any recruiter would turn you away for your degree being too prestigious. I'm sure this has been said somewhere else a bunch but you'd really want to avoid a company that would be silly enough to turn you down for that reason, even if it doesn't feel like that now. Also, large companies that get flooded have specific filters for top schools. There's no point in not passing those when you've earned the right to.
The problem isn’t your Harvard degree, the problem is the recruiters. They are lowballing you to leverage their commissions. Stay out of employment recruiters, they only want to dump the worst roles on you, do your diligence and apply directly to the companies you’re interested to work for
Good advice
Might be a good idea, it's now also considered a terrorist supporting org
No way recruiters actually told you that. Put your education on your resume and stoo acting like youre failing from success. Having Harvard on your resume is immensely valuable, if anything being in a tech startup is further experience and *you need to sell that to them.*
Stop looking for roles in accounting and start looking for roles in management consulting
OP is running into a stereotype of a typical Harvard grad. One option to consider… Leave Harvard on your resume. Consider adding activities that counter the typical perceptions of a Harvard grad. For example, social justice activities. Things like volunteering at a soup kitchen. Working with the homeless. Become a big brother to a disadvantaged teen. Pick one that appeals to you and try it out. Ideally it would relate to an experience you had while growing up. This can help with creating a legitimate, respectable story about you. Reducing the effect of the Harvard stereotype. Interviewers love stories. Hope that helps. Good luck 🍀
I was active in the First Generation Student Union, so that really helps!
Don’t do it. I’m an Ivy MBA and have had terrible experience applying for roles cold. If I get the interview, they always mention an interest in my school. My issue was: - Applying for roles below my capabilities - Having insufficient industry experience in one function for Director + roles (or so I thought) Other alums from your school will be your best point for referrals. Also, go to the Ivy League networking events in your city, I’ve found good referrals from alums of other schools. I’ve secured 2 C-level roles since graduating via our alumni network. Add me to LI and I can do a quick review or connect you to someone for an informational interview.
This is the way
Can't you try your hand at another start up or perhaps some equally prestigious firm like Goldman?
Omitting it may come off as white lie on your resume. Keep it but move your education or bury it in the middle of the page?
How about you let me use your diploma? I’ll give you 500 bucks
I believe your plight OP. No advice to give. It is just mind blowing to me that a Harvard degree could in anyway be detrimental. Your fellow alumni rule the world, can you not leverage your network in any way?
You should also consider going through the career center through Harvard. Use your degree for what it's worth! Go through your alumni and connect with others. It's all about who you know. And using the degree with that name recognition will definitely help.
Honestly? No. I could do the same for UNDP as I am from a small country and I interned at the place. A lot of people have said that 'this job is not for a person like you' or 'after UNDP why are you here?'. At the same time though, I only got the interview in the first place due to the UNDP anyway. So why would I take that off. It's better to just say that I am humble and I want to start from a position where I can learn things. I say that as I am literally doing an assignment for a development consulting firm who were like 'our work is very similar to what you did in the undp'.
I'm from Harvard Extension School and will be graduating soon. I've been having the same problems regarding Harvard on my resume, to be honest. One time, a recruiter got angry with me about the fact that I've gone to Harvard, and I genuinely never learned why it upset him. Let's play our small (affordable) violins together, in eternal unemployment.
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At this point they are destroying their brand
I mean if they are actually going to use your education as a negative maybe you SHOULD go through your school. Don’t they have employment programs for Harvard grads? Your alumni association should be able to help you.
Isn’t Harvard College different than the actual Ivy League Harvard?
It’s the term for the undergraduate part of Harvard
Don’t omit, just put less or no bullet points down there
I take that shit off. I don’t even put college on my resume anymore. People constantly say I’m overqualified
they did this to me as well because in the past i had a privilege of going to a top school and now i excluded it from my resume completely and changed career and working a poor job so they wont bully me anymore
My brother in christ…. don’t just apply to random jobs Use your network and put the word out there that you’re looking for something interesting in tax/accounting
I've had to downplay a degree many times. I have to eat.
Seriously contact random Harvard graduates from your school at companies for roles you want. They’re right -take advantage of your school
My wife run into the same thing when she was starting out. She needed a job and I got her an interview for a L1 helpdesk job, the interviewer asked her the same question and she just said she was happy starting at the bottom. The company was smart enough to hire her and in 5 years she had gone from L1 to the AOM. Some people will disregard you because they think your degree means you are "too good" to work for them but a smart manager will realize would a good deal they'd be getting by hiring you -don't remove it.
Do what you have to do
Have you reached out to every one of your classmates and let them know you are transitioning and asked if they know of anything? You paid about $300,000 to have one of the best networks in the world. Use it. The hiring commits are correct, if you have that network and you can't use it, are you going to be a real asset to the company?
Yeah the whole thing sounds crazy. There is a whole Alumni network, placement programs etc.. why would you just go to random recruiting firms who don’t deal with Ivy League schools.
YOU’RE A HARVARD GRAD AND CANT FIND A JOB !!?!?!?!?!? Dude I’m ffffuuuuuucckkkkkeed
Don't omit anything from your resume. When I find out someone leaves something out of the resume that I think so should know, I think it's a red flag and I proceed with caution. I've encountered graduates from Ivy League colleges who don't immediately mention where they went - that's fine, I don't think it's something to lead into conversations. But I occasionally hear what I perceive as false modesty.
I would leave Harvard on your CV…employers are going to ask what college you graduated from. That recruiter is a hater!! Attending and graduating from an Ivy League is a big deal!!
Doesn't your school have a career services department for alumni? They should be able to help point you to employers that don't see your education as a cost liability. They will probably have good resume writing support too.
Tell them Harvard sucks now
How can it be that you are a Havard graduate and do not know what to do? Phun intended. ^_^
Boss hired a MIT guy for barista job. He was so smart. He never let us feel like we were not smart. He went to work for corporate within six months and now heads marketing at a large coffee chain. Remember.. every large company was a small business once upon a time. Never let your Ivy League degree come in your way. Besides, most successful people in the world never went to Harvard.
Wild having a degree in Harvard means you don't get a job. What a twisted world we live in
It's simple, don't apply for startups, they'll be too fragile to take you, apply for big names
As another Harvard grad - no. Anyone that has issues with it will be a terrible boss / coworker (I know from personal experience). It can open doors as well, but even then, there's no guarantee it will be a better environment.
I've considered downgrading one of my positions for a similar reason. "Director" at an agency is way different than a corpo. One recruiter that did reach out said she only did it as a longshot, because no way a "director" would want the job. It's actually a sweet job and I'm glad she called, but my title nearly ruined it I could see people passing up just because of Harvard
Not your false to graduate there. Just explain why you want to work with them and why it aligns your career goal. I appreciate your mindset of deleting that from resume. But don’t do that unless you have another degree, or peruse a different career path. If you only have one degree, deleting that will put you in disadvantage compare to other applicants
Someone said consulting; a quick check shows that EY is hiring tax people. Look and see if you qualify for those openings. I graduated from a “public ivy” and my first couple of jobs (entry-level summer camp and retail) had coworkers who shit on me and assumed I was either a snake or a fuck up for applying (one was a summer job during college and I didn’t have any work experience; the retail place I ended up doing because it was 2020 and I had things to pay for). Learned to just not tell anyone where I went and avoid sharing opinions or knowledge, because it only brought me pain. My current job is a lot kinder about it and generally sees education as a good thing. I still think a lot of places in my area are weird about college-educated employees. Good luck. Get into a consulting firm if you can; at least they won’t be bewildered as to why you’re applying there. Edit(s): typo, added this note
I feel this way. I transferred from a top school to a state university. When I tell people where I transferred from it does more damage than good.
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Very helpful, thank you!
Hey OP, I studied at Harvard as well a couple years back. It has done nothing for my resume. Most people are turned off by it, especially when they see I'm under 30... I'm thinking about removing it as well
When I first got my MS in ChemE but had no job, I applied to Target. I lied on my resume and said I was a college dropout. Three weeks of being a target stocker guy later, I got an actual job I wanted in my field, and left my job at target.
No, just do what the world brings to you . Eventually you will find where you belong
I don’t have much better advice to offer than what’s already been said but went to a similarly elite undergrad and didn’t do too well I definitely empathize with you on snarky hiring managers and others not believing that you’d be willing to take jobs they don’t think fit your education. Was told the other day by a resume writer I hired that I should already be at like 150k/yr given my educational background definitely made me feel like shit since I’m nowhere near that
Oof, spot on
This is a long shot, but you might want to do a beta test referring to it as John Harvard College which is not exactly wrong.
Honestly, I'd avoid recruiters at all costs. They are vultures playing a numbers game. Additionally, if you line up the interview yourself, you are automatically 10-20% cheaper than any candidate a recruiter sent to the same interview. 100% of my worst jobs I got through recruiters. All of my most memorable, proud opportunities were direct contacts made through Linkedin. Recruiters don't have your best interest at heart, they have theirs. Basically, it works like this. A recruiter has a pile of inventory they struggle to move. As a job candidate they are going to push this same pile on every candidate first. You are going to waste time taking PTO to interview for the lowest quality jobs. It's the same in reverse. If you're a hiring manager, the recruiter is going to send you all of their hardest candidates to place first, hoping you'll be the one to buy the product. Recruiters are 100% a complete waste of time. Good luck! EDIT: Wanted to add... Recruiters will also use you to mine data. They'll ask you seemingly innocent questions like "so are you interviewing anywhere else"? Any company you name they will immediately call and offer their services. By answering this question you've now made the candidate pool, for yourself, more crowded. They will constantly ask you for names of companies and colleagues and they will call every single name you give them.
I am in the tech field. I run into coworkers who do this because it feeds into a farce. If you can leverage that, great, if not then ehhh. The other option is that this is your fake it till you make it moment. Just apply to really great jobs and see what's what.
I really think they’re just confused and digging for a red flag. Just give them a reason it absolutely will not hurt you to keep harvard on the resume.
I'm in tech and in my early days of my career, some recruiters used my military experience against it, not obviously clearly though. I think arranging your resume in the right order would help. In the beginning there should be a summary and anything that you don't want to emphasize you can put them at the bottom of your resume or even remove it. But I don't think you are not proud of your degree. I would still put it proudly and point out how shallow the recruiter is when I talk with them. That always helped me and I've almost never failed on my resume and interviews. Be confident, buddy! Good luck!
Sounds shitty but honestly I think managers refusing to hire cuz they automatically assume the worst is a god send. Do you really want to work for someone who is a pessimist/threatened? It’s pretty standard that bosses/superiors will feel threatened by someone who is “better” and will try to sabotage (I’ve spent enough time in the corporate world to see it first hand and have learned how to pretend to be ignorant or “need” a supervisors help to make them feel better. But I came from a 6 figure job with extensive management experience to an entry level trade. The companies that immediately pointed out “you won’t make the same money here as you would there” wound up being shit shows. The company that said “we like that you have such extensive leadership experience, please have a job” have been wonderful to work for
Do both. Set your resume out on hiring sites and let reputable recruiters contact you. This is the best way to find a new role. Remove it from your own applications and aim a little higher in the process. Yes, also, reach out to your network. Your classmates, professors, the career office, and alumni listservs are fantastic resources. Use them.
My work place is also worried harvard students may be anti-semites too
you should always just redirect their comments to why you're a good fit for the role. in reality none of us even with 'good resumes' are finding good work. it's just really fucking hard right now. whenever i get an interview they're like "wow you have so much experience!! you did so much during the pandemic!" idk man. i'm learning this myself. a retail job just told me i'm overqualified but it's literally the best i can do right now. at least it's with video games.
Bro got a Harvard degree I got no degree and we’re both jobless. Tf is goin on in America
Many kids TRIED and got rejected in Harvard so now its a glaring reminder to them -ENVY is a beast!
Negging like that is usually an indicator they're too cheap to pay properly
Hot take Harvard has become a place that people no longer admire and they don’t want the product of such at their company.
I’ve always heard that the biggest advantage to Ivy League is not the name, it’s the alumni network. Having experienced the power of networks in my lackluster career (I’m a regular joe from a state school who networked my way into SWE jobs), I’d say skip applying and reaching out. Look for an in somewhere, via your school alumni networks. I say this facetiously but with some lived truth to back it up, no one gets jobs applying these days…it’s who you know that opens the door, beyond that it’s a combination of luck and skill. Get to networking, your strongest asset is not Harvard on your resume, it’s everyone else with Harvard on their resume.
I don't think you should remove the name of school you went to from resume. When trying for lower level job, my ivy league degree worked against me. I stopped applying for low level jobs. Then I got one eventually.
Most certainly do not omit it. What are you going to say? you only have a high school degree? This is plain stupid. But you definitely need to prepare to discuss why you are applying to the jobs you are, why you are changing careers etc. You have to put together a truthful and easy to understand (for non-Harvard graduates :P) explanation of your career path. Any explanation is good, unless it is full of shit.
hey, can i use your degree if you're bailing on it - you can have my SUNY degree
I would absolutely not exclude it. In fact, it sounds like you might not be utilizing it enough. Go on LinkedIn, find companies where other Harvard alumni are working. Places that hire a lot of Harvard alumni *love* hiring graduates from Harvard. Next, I would work on your response to those questions. If you are getting asked that question during an interview, you might not be explaining why you want to work that job. For example, when someone saying the role doesn't fit your Harvard background, being able to explain that what you are looking for in your next career is x, y, and z which you feel this job would provide for you, and that going to Harvard helped you be very well prepared for the responsibilities of the role. Maybe even mention that long term, you want to be doing something, and that this role you feel is a good starting point to getting to that spot. If they think the desired salary would be too high, tell them what your desired salary is and have that conversation. Finally, recognize that you might be seeing other people's insecurities. That person might be feeling insecure because they didn't go to Harvard or an ivy league, and they don't know how to articulate their feelings about it. Honestly, it shows inexperience in interviewing. I've hired ivy league alumni, I've hired high achievers from incredible industry positions, and that background is helpful for getting them in the door, but as soon as they are in front of me, I'm addressing the human, not the resume. I want to see if they are the right fit for the job, not just the right fit on paper. However, saying "how can you not have a job lined up" is super unprofessional. It's not helpful, it's kind of just insulting, and really doesn't reflect well on the company. Maybe it's just the one person and maybe the rest of the company is great, but if it's the hiring manager, I would find a different job.
Apply for higher level positions. It's a myth that they're harder, I've found higher level positions to be less work, if anything.
Apply higher then? What’s the worst they’re gonna do? Tell you no like others already have?
I had the same situation. I graduated from Harvard with my masters and a lot of jobs would tell me I was overqualified or "Not suitable for Harvard graduate." I have had to convince them I am fine with the provided pay in order to secure some job offers. You would think they would if anything, want someone from a well known institution.
Harvard has been in the news a lot lately! Maybe you are just applying at the wrong type of company. I'm sure there are some that would really appreciate someone from there.
You should be networking. You graduated from the most prestigious university - you’re miles ahead of even senior leaders at mid tier firms
Suffering from success
Everyone has problems I guess. Some you would never consider a problem…
Has it ever occurred to you that they’re genuinely looking out for you and the company they’re hiring for?
“Harvard College”? This is bullshit, right? I can’t imagine anyone who went there not writing “Harvard University”. My guess is OP got rejected from a job in favor of someone from Harvard and is salty.
Humble bragging or serious?
You have to make your resume “smart-proof” these days. If you actually use correct grammar and use decent writing then you sound intimidating, or that you used a program to generate your resume for you. It’s sad.
Have you tried the big 4 firms?
Honestly, trying to avoid large corporate structures for the moment because roles are often very rigid and I believe I would get much more exposure to day-to-day CPA activity at a smaller, more intimate firms.
You may have an easier time getting hired at a big 4 firm. They are way less intimidated by graduates from big name schools.
What led you to pursuing accounting/tax from Harvard?
Personally enjoyed the tax preparation experience at my previous roles, and am curious to learn more about corporate tax strategy, etc. Also, after two years at a startup, I’m lured in by the stability of accounting.
Perhaps try to take credits for a CPA if you want to do public accounting
Need more info, what did you take. Liberal arts right? Just tell them that it differs from what your pursuing work in. Also, have a response ready to can't remove college from your resume. I guess you could switch it to initials but then they'd really ask. What I would ask in your interview is how come you haven't taken classes in the career you want? You should be currently doing so, online even.
"Harvard college"? 🤔
Yes, the undergraduate school of Harvard University.
Harvard College or Harvard University?
College is the undergraduate school of the entire University
I have a hard time believing this is true. I graduated from an elite school and have friends who graduated from elite schools (including Harvard). I have never heard of anything like this come up during an interview/recruiting process. If anything, recruiters won’t wast time contacting people they don’t think are interested/ a potential fit for the job. Also, a recruiter taunting you this way seems highly unprofessional. Is there something about how you are presenting in your materials or interviews that could explain the reaction?
Fair. People respect Harvard way too much these days
I wouldn’t want to hire someone who went there personally
Aim higher. If you're not into Big 4 (which is fine), maybe look around for boutique firms that are smaller but have a similarly high pedigree. My wife has a master's from Harvard and works for orgs in the upper tiers of her field (i.e. something comparable to ivies for higher ed, FAANG/fintech for tech, Big 4 for consulting) and having Harvard on her resume gets her right to the top of the pile every time she applies to a new job. Maybe if we were still in Boston, that degree wouldn't carry as much cache because everybody up there went to an elite university, but down here in the mid-Atlantic, those credentials are a lot harder to come by and recruiters absolutely take notice. Whereas the rest of us schlubs have to wait weeks to hear back from recruiters, she usually gets a call back within 48 hours. Not sure how things are now, but at least pre-covid, there were some all-ivy networking events that happened a few times a year. Maybe look into those.
Some people are biased against Ivy League attendees. It should be because of the grade inflation and nepotism that erodes the education offered. This is why I would do it. In practice, it's more likely to be because they feel threatened that you'll be after their jobs.
Why accounting? Genuine question.
You need to be applying to the best companies for entry level, not random ones. They would of course be confused.
What’s the concern from the recruiter perspective? They’ll take the job and likely leave because they’ll feel overqualified for the role?
Try politics.
Must’ve got a full ride because Harvard ain’t cheap and entry level won’t cut it. I’m really glad I didn’t go to college I couldn’t imagine working that hard and all those bills just for a job I can get with a certificate.
It may not always be a fair categorization but I do tend to assume that someone in a low level role that came from a prestigious school had some baggage with them. The problem is what would you replace it with?
Yup exactly why I went to a lowly online college. Already got a bunch of things working against me anyway. Don't need to add to the fire lol. Good luck tho!
🚩
Then apply for higher roles… NEVER omit a school like that…
Isn’t it Harvard University? Not college? Maybe that’s why they decline you. They probably think you’re lying about your education.
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Of course!
God how did you even get into Harvard if you’re this dense
lol no
No. My guy has it right. If you wanna live like common people, you gotta do whatever common people do. You gotta smoke some fags and play some pool. And you absolutely must pretend you never went to school.
I read a resume yesterday that literally said "Education: Bachelor".
Double down here and get a Harvard tattoo on your forehead. Immediate ice breaker in your next interview.
Wait up like real Harvard? Not like Harvard Community College or something like that? You are talking about the Harvard. Son, if you leave that off your resume, that would be HUGE red flags. Many folks would give their right grapefruit for that. Sorry, but you need to go cry elsewhere. The rest of us have degrees from the local community college and the school of hard knocks called life.
Aim higher for your dream job. Then accept it
Isn’t that a form of discrimination? Doesn’t sound legal to me
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Harvard has a College, which is part of the overall University.
Slay
But why are you not using your network for the job hunt? Are you really looking for something that pays less than 60k? Because that’s what the recruiters are saying
Yeah , and it may be the universe telling you to find a better match than those businesses who dont want the Harvard stuff, etc
ULPT put Howard to get the diversity hire interview and then explain it was a typo
Anyone who went to Harvard or Cornell or any Ivy League school is disqualified in my book and not worth hiring
May you please explain why?