Re:Ask HN: Do employers care how long it took you to finish ...
by hanginghyena on Friday August 05, 2016 @12:55PM
(#12233876)
THIS.
Speaking as a hiring manager, I will absolutely notice any delays or interruptions in your education (unless ancient); in the event you don't give the years, it often becomes obvious when you list high school degree or summer jobs.
The key is to have a reasonable story about the situation. Finishing a liberal arts degree in five years after you spent the first four partying doesn't send a good message. Finishing a degree after taking a break to handle <other important responsibility - family, startup, etc> or as a consequence of a major change that helps employer? Not a significant issue....
Re:Ask HN: Do employers care how long it took you to finish ...
by mturmon on Friday August 05, 2016 @06:27PM
(#12236125)
And keep the explanation simple, even if you have complex feelings about it. Think about it, identify a clear cut explanation, and give it when asked. Avoid the "doth protest too much" problem at all costs.
Re:Ask HN: Do employers care how long it took you to finish ...
by x1798DE on Friday August 05, 2016 @09:07PM
(#12236592)
Maybe this is because I mostly see PhD resumes, but I can't recall ever seeing a high school degree on a resume.
I took 3.5 years for B.S. but I think my resume just has graduation year on it.
No one will make a big deal out of it like you do. As others have said, try listing only your graduation date. If you think it will come up anyway, have a one sentence blurb prepared that seems reasonable.
Unless you're doing something like investment banking or consulting where the pipelines are congested they are going to care primarily about how well you can do the job.