Okay, I was looking over Scaled Composites website and I noticed that they have an opening which I am perfect for. I’ll even go so far as to say there’s not a person on the planet who’s better able to do the job than I am. Yeah, yeah, I know, that’s a pretty arrogant thing to say, but in this instance, I can positively say that I’m right on this matter. No one I’ve met, who’s got a degree in the field is better than I am, and I’ve dealt with folks who’ve been hired by some of the largest companies in their field, so I’m not talking completely out of my ass. I’ve got emails out to people who know me asking them to write letters of recommendation, since that will help, but I don’t have the necessary college degree, which is a big handicap, and I doubt that I could managed to earn one before the job get’s filled. This is one of my dream jobs, and I’d pretty much kill to have it, so I need advice on how to get them to hire me. I know we’ve got folks here who’ve got HR experience, so I’m hoping that they can give me a few pointers.
I would suggest that your best hope is to present loads of experience and such a successful track-record that it overwhelms their requirement for a degree.
Do you know anyone there? I got my “degree required” job degreeless through a referral. Actually, they recruited me in because someone who worked their highly recommended me. By the time they really looked at my resume far enough to find out I didn’t have a degree, they’d decided they wanted me.
If you know someone there (or one of their customers or vendors), have him or her contact the hiring manager. “I know this guy who would be great for this job, should I get his resume for you?”
Do you not have a degree from the University of Real Life? 
Tell them you’ll work the first week for free. If they don’t like your work they don’t have to pay. If they Do like your work tho’…
Having a contact in the company is your best bet. Your resume on its own is going to get tossed out if it doesn’t meet the requirements unless you can write a very convincing cover letter (assuming someone actually reads the cover letter.) I don’t know how big the company is, but some places just scan for key words and if your qualifications don’t match their checklist you won’t get past the first screening. All they have to go on is you on paper, and they might have 100 other applicants that look better on paper. Make a specialized resume and cover letter for them that shows specifically how and why you are qualified for their position. Make it unique to their company so they know you didn’t just send out this resume to 10 different places.
If the company is smaller and more personal you may have a better chance. You can always call (if they are accepting phone calls about the job) and ask if they would consider someone who has experience but no degree. Some places just ask for a degree because it usually gets them better qualified candidates, and some places flat out need the degree. I don’t know what kind of job it is you are applying for. Do they ask for a specific degree or certification, or just a degree?
Compose a compelling cover letter. My ex-GF is an HR person. She once got a job with no experience by saying words to the effect of “I have to say right up front that I don’t have experience in this field, but here’s why I will be the best employee you’ll have…”
So bring up the perceived roadblock right up front. Then cite as much specific evidence why you are the best for the job. Finish up with some well-researched examples of other people who have excelled despite formal training. Here’s one:
Philip Burke’s work would go on to be featured Rolling Stone on an almost monthly basis, as well as Vanity Fair, Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, GQ and Vogue. His work is currently being shown in the Rock & Roll hall of fame. As brutally competitive as getting work as an illustrator was, he not only succeeded, but was a superstar.
He never went to art school. He instead taught himself to paint out of a love for — among other artists — Pablo Picasso.
No contacts at the company, and Scaled’s the company building the spaceships for VirginGalactic, so they’re not very big, but they’ve got their pick of applicants. Apparently, nearly everybody on the planet has applied for a job there.
Not sure what the job entails , but do you have any tangible examples of things you’ve done that you could present to them akin to an artist’s portfolio?
I have the exact opposite problem with a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering and no industrial experience. I even had senior design project involving composite materials. Apparently my degree is rather worthless. After several job interviews, I inevitably get turned down because someone with a degree and more experience gets hired.
Tuckerfan, all you can do is try like hell to get an in person inverview and then try like hell to get an offer. Write a cover letter and resume that really sell your skills and experience, and then call everyday and keep bugging the HR people at the company until you get an interview or a firm ‘no.’ Emphasize that you are perfect for the job and perform the tasks better than any degreed individual. Sure, it helps to have a recommendation from within, but that’s not available so try your best without one.
I wish it were that simple and easy.
Good idea, I’ll have to see if I can find the file, convert it to a PDF and burn it to a CD (otherise it’ll be a massive package to mail). That’s about the only someone would believe me.
ArchitectChore, when I started out as a machinist I had the same problem. A friend managed to get me a job working for a foundry at basically the bottom rung of the company, but it didn’t take me too long to get into the machine shop and since then, it’s not been too difficult for me to find a machining job. You might try to do something similar, once you get your foot in the door, it’s easier to move about the company.
You could try and do an “informational interview”. Ask for 20-30 minutes so that you “can learn more about the company”. Try and find someone who knows someone in the company. Look for shared professional associations, church, friends of friends, etc. Start a new SDMB thread with “Anyone Know Anyone at Scaled Composites?”. If that doesn’t work look at published papers, articles, web site, etc. to get a name and email address. Once you get an informational interview ask if there is anyone else you could talk to; e.g., “from talking with you I think that xxx is the best fit for me. Do you know anyone I can talk with to learn more about that”? Also try LinkedIn.
I used this technique to get a contact at Google. It was just two degrees of separation to find the exact right person to speak with.