I need your wisdom and advice- Job application related

[AJobToLove]

Hello!

I am working part-time at the moment to a job unrelated to my degree. A fact that has been making me feel like a total failure for years. Especially when I don't even like my current job.

I have been looking for an opportunity to get into the field related to my degree, but due to lack of working experience I have been unsuccessful so far. It has also been years since I graduated. Let's of course not forget covid as well...

This morning I got an alert from Indeed telling me there was a new listing. It is a part-time job in a junior position. In terms of qualifications all they ask is minimum GCSE level qualification in the relevant subject.

On paper I expect I am overqualified because of my degree. The thing is I am wondering if this is my opportunity to get a foot through the door and get some experience in the hope that it might enhance my CV. (Provided of course I would even be considered for the job!)

Shall I send my CV stating I have a degree and hope they might think 'oh great! More experience/knowledge than we hoped for!'? Do I keep quiet and just state my relevant school grades? Other issue is I don't have GCSEs or A levels. I didn't go to school in the UK. I expect I have equivalents but I can't help but wonder if they are gonna get ignored since they will look unfamiliar.

Other question I have is this: I went to the employer's website for more information about the job and there it stated that in the covering letter they want current package and expectations to be included. I have no idea what to put or how to phrase that in the covering letter. My current job is completely different, yes I have some benefits like paid holiday, pension scheme, etc. so do I just state that? Do I put my current salary as well? Also in regards to my expectations I have no idea what I should expect my salary to be. I can google average pay for said position and state that but I am still hesitant especially if
I state I have a degree. Surely they would expect my answer to reflect that.

Truth be told, I don't even care about the salary since it's only 15 hours a week so I won't be able to live on that job alone. I just want the experience and maybe an opportunity to get back to the field. The plan is to continue working at my current job. If of course my application gets anywhere.

Help, please, I feel so stressed. I really hate job applications.

Apply.
Include your degree - otherwise you have a gap of several years on you CV.

If you do both jobs part time does that create any scheduling issues? I tend to ask for competitive salary when pushed for numbers.
I got a job back in Nov that asked for relevent A levels - and my degree and MSc weren't an issue, but I knew if I put my previous (in 2015) salary in I'd be rejected (it's a big salary drop ive taken following a gap).
Good luck!

No one really cares anymore about a degree, it's more about experience

@TierFourTears

Apply. Include your degree - otherwise you have a gap of several years on you CV.

If you do both jobs part time does that create any scheduling issues? I tend to ask for competitive salary when pushed for numbers.
I got a job back in Nov that asked for relevent A levels - and my degree and MSc weren't an issue, but I knew if I put my previous (in 2015) salary in I'd be rejected (it's a big salary drop ive taken following a gap).
Good luck!

Thanks for your reply!

According to the employer's website the job is for Mondays and Tuesdays, IF they don't change that then it's perfect for me since I actually don't work those days.

Yes include your degree, it's really common for graduates to apply for jobs that don't require a degree. I don't tend to give 'extra' points necessarily when shortlisting for this if it's not needed for the job but it doesn't hurt... I would also include your GCSEs and A Level equivalent qualifications on your CV and put an explanation in brackets e.g.

-1999 Brevet ABC School, Paris (GCSE Equivalent)
-2001 Baccalaureate, XYZ College, Toulouse (A Level equivalent)

Re package and expectations, I hate it when jobs ask for this. Just say what you are offering FGS and I'll decide if I want to apply on that basis, all this coy nonsense about 'competitive salary' , 'great package for right candidate', 'please tell us your expectations' etc drives me mad and perpetuates all sorts of inequalities. I'd just state broadly your current salary (don't include all the extras if you wouldn't expect those to be matched) and then either say something like 'I would expect an competitive salary comparable with similar roles in the industry' or give a range/average salary if you like...

@CoronaIsWatching

No one really cares anymore about a degree, it's more about experience

Yes, unfortunately I have come to the same conclusion that's why I am trying to get any experience that I can even if it means starting from the very bottom.

@maxelly

Yes include your degree, it's really common for graduates to apply for jobs that don't require a degree. I don't tend to give 'extra' points necessarily when shortlisting for this if it's not needed for the job but it doesn't hurt... I would also include your GCSEs and A Level equivalent qualifications on your CV and put an explanation in brackets e.g.

-1999 Brevet ABC School, Paris (GCSE Equivalent)
-2001 Baccalaureate, XYZ College, Toulouse (A Level equivalent)

Re package and expectations, I hate it when jobs ask for this. Just say what you are offering FGS and I'll decide if I want to apply on that basis, all this coy nonsense about 'competitive salary' , 'great package for right candidate', 'please tell us your expectations' etc drives me mad and perpetuates all sorts of inequalities. I'd just state broadly your current salary (don't include all the extras if you wouldn't expect those to be matched) and then either say something like 'I would expect an competitive salary comparable with similar roles in the industry' or give a range/average salary if you like...

Thank you that's very helpful information.

Interestingly enough, in the indeed listing they didn't mention a covering letter or the package and expectations all it said is upload your CV to be considered initially. An agency has posted the job so I don't know if it would be better to go and apply directly through the company or go through the indeed process.

definitely include your degree, that focus is one of the reasons they might choose to interview you.

Why not give a range of payment levels you would accept? I think there must be a level below which you would feel insulted/ you can't make your life stack up financially. Maybe don't post that low level as the lowest of your range because it's easy for people to take the lowest figure...