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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be upset about ‘university blind’ recruitment

788 replies

Newname576 · 17/05/2023 19:31

DS has overcome so many challenges and has an unconditional offer from Cambridge after achieving 4 A star last year. He has worked so hard and we are so proud of him! But I was upset to learn that so many companies are recruiting “university blind”now - what the hell is the point of going to a top Uni if no one will know about it! My younger child says she will apply to Manchester Met and have a ball even though she too is predicted stellar grades as there is no point going to a top Uni

AIBU to be sad that companies are recruiting blind?

OP posts:
Elastom · 18/05/2023 20:26

eggsbenedict23 · 18/05/2023 20:12

Race and sex blind I agree with. But like age blind for graduate roles? Like do we want 40 year olds applying for graduate schemes?

Not everyone goes to university aged 18. Graduate schemes used to have upper age limits but this counts as age discrimination.

Overthebow · 18/05/2023 20:33

eggsbenedict23 · 18/05/2023 20:12

Race and sex blind I agree with. But like age blind for graduate roles? Like do we want 40 year olds applying for graduate schemes?

What’s wrong with 49 year old graduates applying to grad schemes? They’ll have another 25 plus years working so plenty of time to have a good career. They may have life and work experience which makes them great candidates for the schemes.

Overthebow · 18/05/2023 20:34

I meant 40 year olds but no reason a 49 year old couldn’t apply either!

OMGitsnotgood · 18/05/2023 22:19

Like do we want 40 year olds applying for graduate schemes
Why wouldn't we?? - mature individuals with way more life experience to bring to the workplace on graduate salaries - win-win for employers

eggsbenedict23 · 18/05/2023 22:59

OMGitsnotgood · 18/05/2023 22:19

Like do we want 40 year olds applying for graduate schemes
Why wouldn't we?? - mature individuals with way more life experience to bring to the workplace on graduate salaries - win-win for employers

I just assumed they'd go for experienced hire roles

OMGitsnotgood · 18/05/2023 23:04

I just assumed they'd go for experienced hire roles

Not if they are new graduates and don't have relevant experience for the particular roles they are applying for. It's unusual of course but not unheard of. But your Like do we want 40 year olds applying for graduate schemes came over more discriminatory than just 'assuming they'd go for experienced hire roles' i hope to goodness you aren't in recruitment or management.

ChocChipHandbag · 18/05/2023 23:11

@eggsbenedict23 what are you talking about?

You know that "the University of life" is not a real thing, right?

Why would someone apply for "experienced hire roles" if they had no experience?

Rosesandstars · 18/05/2023 23:36

Yes you are.

DunkFriesinShake · 19/05/2023 00:07

eggsbenedict23 · 18/05/2023 20:12

Race and sex blind I agree with. But like age blind for graduate roles? Like do we want 40 year olds applying for graduate schemes?

I’m just finishing my MFA at 41 and I’m about to embark on a PhD after. Presumably I should just stagnate in the corner and let 21 year olds crack on with it, should I?

SleepingStandingUp · 19/05/2023 00:25

eggsbenedict23 · 18/05/2023 22:59

I just assumed they'd go for experienced hire roles

Show quote history

Then the question is why would 40 year older want graduate jobs, not would we want 40 year olds.
I'm 41,two haha left on an OU degree. I have no experiment in my study field because it's different to what I did when I was 18. So I can't get experience roles. So I should do what?

Peppacorn · 19/05/2023 06:45

Elastom · 18/05/2023 20:26

Not everyone goes to university aged 18. Graduate schemes used to have upper age limits but this counts as age discrimination.

Show quote history

IME companies get around it by stating 'only if you have graduated in the last 5 years'. I've also had companies email me after the interview with an 'equal opportunities' form from HR asking me about date of birth etc on the pretence 'of ensuring we are recruiting fairly' with no option to state that you'd rather not give that info. Trust me, they still find loopholes to discriminate.

eggsbenedict23 · 19/05/2023 08:56

DunkFriesinShake · 19/05/2023 00:07

I’m just finishing my MFA at 41 and I’m about to embark on a PhD after. Presumably I should just stagnate in the corner and let 21 year olds crack on with it, should I?

Show quote history

Surely if you do PhD you can enter the company at a higher level?

OMGitsnotgood · 19/05/2023 10:13

Surely if you do PhD you can enter the company at a higher level?

Not necessarily and that often comes as a big shock to PhD graduates, who just assumed rather than checking it out before embarking on a PhD.

It depends whether the additional skills, knowledge and experiences gained through the PhD add more value to the organisation than a regular graduate, and that will vary by individual, hiring organisation and role.

Elastom · 19/05/2023 10:32

Peppacorn · 19/05/2023 06:45

IME companies get around it by stating 'only if you have graduated in the last 5 years'. I've also had companies email me after the interview with an 'equal opportunities' form from HR asking me about date of birth etc on the pretence 'of ensuring we are recruiting fairly' with no option to state that you'd rather not give that info. Trust me, they still find loopholes to discriminate.

Show quote history

I’m sure you’re right about continuing age discrimination but I meant specifically that if someone did their UG degree aged 37 and graduated at 40, they would be eligible for a graduate scheme (up until 45 at least), and should be. When I was applying for these things the cut off age was 26 as they just assumed that five years after graduating meant 26 for everyone.

I mean it made no difference for me personally as I tanked in all graduate recruitment anyway 😆. I had no idea why these places would want to ‘fast track’ me when I had zero work experience and didn’t really know what I was good at apart from writing essays.

eggsbenedict23 · 19/05/2023 11:21

In my head I was thinking moreso of a "team of young graduates" who are like 21 to 23. Youngsters starting out in their careers. Wouldn't a 40 year old seem a bit out of place? I assume the person in their 40s has worked before? So why not continue from that?

TheWernethWife · 19/05/2023 11:28

My grandaughter went to Manchester Met and loved it, loved the uni, loved Manchester.

AlmostGreenFingers · 19/05/2023 11:41

Newname576 · 17/05/2023 19:31

DS has overcome so many challenges and has an unconditional offer from Cambridge after achieving 4 A star last year. He has worked so hard and we are so proud of him! But I was upset to learn that so many companies are recruiting “university blind”now - what the hell is the point of going to a top Uni if no one will know about it! My younger child says she will apply to Manchester Met and have a ball even though she too is predicted stellar grades as there is no point going to a top Uni

AIBU to be sad that companies are recruiting blind?

While it is true that the box with the name of the university is deleted from the application pack before it is passed to the recruiting manager, your DS would still be able to mention the name of his university in the body of his application form. “While at Cambridge university, I took part in….” 😉

poetryandwine · 19/05/2023 12:02

@eggsbenedict23 the job the mature student had before or during uni by definition was not a graduate job. Perhaps they attended uni to become eligible for a better calibre of job, just as many young people do. Why should
the older person not go for that job?

poetryandwine · 19/05/2023 12:10

@AlmostGreenFingers I have a lot of sympathy with the OP. I think she began this thread out of a fierce sense of protectiveness for her DS, who is very talented but may face some barriers including various prejudices when it comes to finding employment. However a couple of hiring managers who use blind applications have said that bin those who take the sneaky approach you mentioned and I am with them. It shows you don’t play by the rules.

sunglassesonthetable · 19/05/2023 12:46

While it is true that the box with the name of the university is deleted from the application pack before it is passed to the recruiting manager, your DS would still be able to mention the name of his university in the body of his application form. “While at Cambridge university, I took part in….” 😉

Posters ( who recruit ) on here have mentioned applicants doing stuff like that. eg

" ... when I was organising The May Ball..." etc

A bit lame really. And would probably work against you. Focus on just putting in a really good application.Use your good education for what it it's actually there for!

38andtrying · 19/05/2023 12:50

I recruit in my firm for often times very senior roles, Job description says must have degree etc. when i am going through CV's i rarely even look at someones educations, like honestly it doesnt come into consideration, i want to see their experience of real life job, and how they come across at interview. There are jobs require professional qualifications of course, accountancy, doctors, solicitors but for a lot of jobs in business degrees arent worth paper they are written on, in fact the people in my team who earn more are those who skipped past university and got experience.

powerrangers · 19/05/2023 12:53

38andtrying · 19/05/2023 12:50

I recruit in my firm for often times very senior roles, Job description says must have degree etc. when i am going through CV's i rarely even look at someones educations, like honestly it doesnt come into consideration, i want to see their experience of real life job, and how they come across at interview. There are jobs require professional qualifications of course, accountancy, doctors, solicitors but for a lot of jobs in business degrees arent worth paper they are written on, in fact the people in my team who earn more are those who skipped past university and got experience.

So why demand a degree if you yourself admit you don't care? I agree btw. What does 3 years studying medieval history add to a job in logistics or town planning?

38andtrying · 19/05/2023 13:03

@powerrangers defo not a demand, its just something they put on all their standard job descriptions from HQ, when people are going for internal promotions and don't have degrees they just lie lol it is never checked, i never check it myself nor do i care tbh I think if push comes to shove it could be degree or equivalent experience, with experience taking precedent over university degree. I must go back and check the particulars.

powerrangers · 19/05/2023 13:05

38andtrying · 19/05/2023 13:03

@powerrangers defo not a demand, its just something they put on all their standard job descriptions from HQ, when people are going for internal promotions and don't have degrees they just lie lol it is never checked, i never check it myself nor do i care tbh I think if push comes to shove it could be degree or equivalent experience, with experience taking precedent over university degree. I must go back and check the particulars.

In many industries, any lies/fabrications that are discovered means instant dismissal and/or elimination from the application.

I think it should always be degree or equivalent experience unless it is a field that needs academic qualifications like medicine

38andtrying · 19/05/2023 13:08

@powerrangers yes of course it would mean dismissal, but in the real world that only happens if someone wants you gone, why would anyone be checking a degree after you've started work. checking CV truths is usually a last resort when you are trying to manage someone out of the company, unless of course you aresomeone like a doctor or whatever and its serious and dangerous to tell the lie.