Associate or Bachelor's Degree Wanted For Receptionist Position?? Really??
By schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
United States
October 29, 2012 11:24pm CST
I was looking at classified ads today for clerical or data entry jobs and I saw one for a Receptionist position; greeting visitors, handling incoming calls, filing, faxing, entering data into the system and any other general office duties as needed.
Can you believe that in addition to 2 or more years of experience doing this kind of work that that are looking for an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree? The position would entail telephone skills, customer service oriented, data entry, excellent verbal/?written communication skills, multi-tasking, experience with MS Word, Outlook, Publisher & Excel, and ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment.?
I would think a High School diploma plus experience would be all that would be needed in order to qualify for this job!
And this position pays only $10.00 to $12.00 an hour. This is just incredible. If I had a Bachelor's Degree there is no way that I would be looking for a job like Receptionist. I would be going for something actually professional. I know the job market is difficult these days, but come on!
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
And this position pays only $10.00 to $12.00 an hour. This is just incredible. If I had a Bachelor's Degree there is no way that I would be looking for a job like Receptionist. I would be going for something actually professional. I know the job market is difficult these days, but come on!
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
6 people like this
11 responses
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
30 Oct 12
Today, a bachelor's degree holds about the same status as a high school diploma once did. I really don't know what that makes a high school diploma... or what people with just a high school diploma are seen as being able to be hired for other than some service sector positions.
If I were in an HR role, I can't imagine hiring someone for such a position who did not possess at least a baccalaureate degree. A baccalaureate degree is such a basic thing that I think that I would be suspicious of the qualifications of anyone who did not possess one.
3 people like this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
30 Oct 12
I tell my kids that they all have to get at least a Bachelor's Degree. My oldest son is in college right now working on his. I never did go to college and I have over 20 years experience working in clerical roles. I took a few years off with my last child and am now considering going back to work. I just cannot believe that someone answering phones or greeting incoming customers, etc. or typing an email, etc. would need the education entailed with a Bachelor's Degree. I consider a professional position would need a degree, but not someone doing simple clerical tasks.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for your comment.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
30 Oct 12
What I have been told is that having a degree does not so much indicate how much you know, but more that you have the personality and skills to follow through on something that has several stages and complete all the requirements. It does not seem like anything pays very well anymore, at least not around here.
2 people like this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
31 Oct 12
Yep, I think so too. It is more of an indication of intelligence than the actual education you gained from attending and graduating from college. And again, you are right - there are not that many good paying opportunities any more.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (93757)
• United States
2 Nov 12
It sounds like a perfect job for someone with an Associate's degree. You (the person in question) didn't go far enough in school to get a job that needs a four year degree, but you did more than just high school so you deserve more than minimum wage. I would think computer skills would be a big difference from high school education to college educationm even if it was just a two year college education.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
6 Nov 12
Actually I only went to high school and got my diploma. But tat was back in the 80's. I have worked most of my adult life, I have over 18 years experience working in offices and no college at all. I earned way more than minimum wage all those years. I just would think that my experience would be more valuable to a clerical job than someone who has a college degree but does not know have any experience using these programs or doing this kind of work.
Oh well...
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
Oh well...
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
First of all, is this correct $10 to $12 an hour, because if this is right then I need to apply ha ha ha ha. Well, about your topic, i agree on you when in comes to the qualification. As long as the person can write, can understand with one order or direction I think they can be a good candidate for this position. However, I think it depends on the job they will be doing, like using a computer and the processor, one should know that. A graduate of secondary school can be a good candidate as long as they know how to use computer and the internet. This kind of job also requires confidence, open-mindedness and common sense, I guess some young ones might not know it, but if the person is a high school graduate, with a lot of experiences on previous job, I think they should take it to consideration.
2 people like this
@skyandgrassplot (1497)
• China
30 Oct 12
I think this phenomenon causes by the labour market,When a thing is rare, it becomes precious,but on the contrary,now the people who get the bachelor degree are so much,many of them can not get a job so may be that is why a receptionist position need a bachelor degree,it is a waste,definitely but we can do nothing in this economy depression period,but I still everything will be better sooner or later.
2 people like this
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
@Sindelle (824)
• United States
30 Oct 12
Wow that's ridiculous around here you could get a job with no college and work in a call center for a lot more then that. I know jobs are scarce and they can afford to be somewhat picky but that's absolutely silly. I hope something better comes alone that pays well and suits your interests. Good Luck
2 people like this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
31 Oct 12
I haven't worked in an office environment for a few years. I have an associates degree in Business Administration. I am shocked that company would hire someone with an associates degree for such a position. I haven't looked for a job since 2009, but when I tried to apply to jobs like the one above to just have any job I was always shot down due to having a degree and experience.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
1 Nov 12
That really is something, isn't it? I mean if you want to go ahead and take a job that doesn't require a degree but you can't find anything else then I think you should not be turned away because you are overqualified. Everyone has the right to have a job so they can pay their bills, support the children, eat, etc.
I just find it awful to require that you get a college degree for a position that should not require it in the first place. I think if you spend the money in order to get that education then one of the rewards you reap after getting your degree is the opportunity to get a higher paying, professional position. That is the way it supposed to work.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
I just find it awful to require that you get a college degree for a position that should not require it in the first place. I think if you spend the money in order to get that education then one of the rewards you reap after getting your degree is the opportunity to get a higher paying, professional position. That is the way it supposed to work.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
31 Oct 12
My daughter has a master degree. They moved here from Germany where she was a teacher.....she hasn't been able to find a job. She applied for a dental receptionist....they also wanted a degree and two years experience in a dental office? Really?
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
1 Nov 12
That really is amazing! And I bet your daughter would be great at that job in the dentist's office. I can't understand how a degree would be a requirement for that type of job. Oh well, what can we do?
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
30 Oct 12
Well, I think that if you just got out of college and needed a job to pay your loan's off. That would be a good starting place. What is wrong with $10.00 to $12.00 a hour? The one thing I have noticed in the USA is we are over paid. We want everything for cheap and then complain when they send jobs overseas well, You have to start somewhere and if you always think your worth more your really not. At least it is a job and maybe you could move up fast. Maybe it is really for some other job. And at least this way will keep to many people from trying for job. You could still try for it as that is still a way in.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
31 Oct 12
No, I think the pay is fine for that position. My point is that I find it ridiculous that they are requiring a Bachelor's Degree for a receptionist position. That is a clear example of being over qualified for a position. Receptionist is a position that some people work when going to college, in order to pay their bills until they earn their degree and can move on to a professional position. That is just my point.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
1 Nov 12
Wow..yes..it has become more and more competitive. I might argue that they are making undue requirements for that position for sure. There is a law somewhere that states they could get in trouble for it if they are requiring things that are not needed to perform the essential job duties. I remember a case for coal miners where they were requiring them to have a high school diploma. The company got sued for discrimination because it was geared towards weeding out a certain race that had lower numbers with that kind of education at the time and the population in that area was majority that race. I think that companies should consider being very careful where their requirements for certain jobs are concerned. They might get in quite a ruckus if someone stood up and fought it.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
1 Nov 12
I know it's competitive out there but wow. I didn't know about that law where companies can't ask for more qualifications than necessary though. That is pretty interesting... I will have to look into that just for curiousity's sake.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
1 Nov 12
While I could see why they might require that a person have an associate's degree in order to have a true clerical position, there is no reason at all that I can see that a person would need to have a bachelor's degree in order to work in a clerical position.
The reason that I think an associate's degree would be in line is because of the fact that most people that haven't been in school don't have a lot of knowledge with the different computer programs that are required to do a great job in some clerical positions.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
1 Nov 12
I guess I see your point there. I know Microsoft Office and I learned it all on my own. I have the programs here at home and use them for myself personally. My son is going to college and he asks me all the time how to do a Powerpoint presentation or how to do things in Excel or Word. I never took a class on these programs nor did I attend college. I must not be the average person then I guess.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
