Would you put this on your cv?

Chevron

Chevron

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Let's say you went to varsity after school but didn't finish. Do you put that on your cv or rather leave a gap?
 
If you put it on, make sure you have a valid reason why you did not finish.
 
It depends where you are sending your CV. If you're applying with a corporate financial institution, put it on. Companies like banks tend to view career gaps as big red flags. However, if you're a construction supervisor who works on site there's no point in mentioning a half finished BA degree.

If you put it on and someone asks you why you didn't finish tell them you were a great student and had passion for what you were learning, but out of necessity you had to take up employment and you've been so happy in your field since that you have nolt felt the need to go back to complete it. Don't talk like you "want to go back one day and finish it" - that just makes you look like a wishy-washy person who can't follow through with their own goals.

:)
 
I did recruitment for many years. Definitely put it on. Definitely show that it's incomplete. And definitely don't say why, just keep it short - your "story" is for the interview.

e.g.:


2000 Skietmydogtersfontein High School
Matric (B Average)

2001 - 2002 University of Stellenbosch
BA (Languages and Culture) (Degree incomplete)
 
Thanks guys. Feel free to post any other cv tips :)
 
Dunno. Kinda sounds like a 'fail' unless it was for financial reasons or severe personal reasons.

I've done some things that I did not complete but never put them on my cv, just did not feel 'right' to me.
 
JNG said:
I did recruitment for many years. Definitely put it on. Definitely show that it's incomplete. And definitely don't say why, just keep it short - your "story" is for the interview.

e.g.:


2000 Skietmydogtersfontein High School
Matric (B Average)

2001 - 2002 University of Stellenbosch
BA (Languages and Culture) (Degree incomplete)
Click to expand...

Or maybe you matriculated from Paarl Gimnasium (B - average)
And started with a B.Sc in Maths at the University of Stellenbosch (degree incomplete)

We all know that a B.Sc is better than a BA but there's no need to drag a BA degree through the mud.
 
@Picard - Who says a BSc is better than a BA? Who's dragging a BA through the mud. You are. I studied BComm and finished, but looking back would so much rather have done a BA. It was just an example. Get over it.

PS:
Studying Political Science without History is like a tree without root.
Studying History without Political Science is like a tree without fruit.
Studying neither is freedom.
 
I've had an unfinished degree with reason (changed my desired career direction from commerce to IT) on my CV for years. I often get asked more about the unfinished degree than my other qualifications. I get questions like: How much did I complete (2 years), do I still use it, what university, etc. At the very least it shows you made the grade for 'varsity entrance.
 
When I interview people and they put it on I kind of think they're not motivated. Especially when compared to someone who's achieved a little but couldn't afford to or didn't go.
 
Depends..

Adv:
Gives them a complete chronological history which is 5-10min of interview wasted. I prefer having full recount of what u did post matric so that they know prior rather than going for interview and then failing it as they don't consider you due to dropping out

Disadv:
Depending on what the interviewer bias is, they could see it as you not having the commitment to complete, similarly if you switch courses albeit for logical sane reasoning, negative bias is the same or lack of focus.

All in all.. best to put it in if you have other achievements that are built up from that as a base. Kinda like a I learnt from the experience. If you can't say what you've gained doing what you did its going to be a distinct disadvantage regardless of inclusion. Generally any half decent HR person will pick up on chronological time gap so best you prepare reasoning and lessons learnt!

When you have sufficient experience and move away from entry level positions the incomplete degree should be removed as that is not the primary focus and when an HR asks about the gap even though it was 10+ yrs ago.. its not a good sign.
 
Last edited:
JNG said:
I did recruitment for many years. Definitely put it on. Definitely show that it's incomplete. And definitely don't say why, just keep it short - your "story" is for the interview.

e.g.:


2000 Skietmydogtersfontein High School
Matric (B Average)

2001 - 2002 University of Stellenbosch
BA (Languages and Culture) (Degree incomplete)
Click to expand...

I would agree with this.

Firstly you are being honest about it up front and depending on most employers they would be intrigued enough to invite you for an interview to hear the reason for the incomplete. At least it gets your foot in the door for an interview where you can at least start selling yourself.

My two cents
 
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