"So you did *insert subject here* at uni, why this job?"

You could always say that you are looking for a challenge to test your skills. I never had an interview for Retail job because probably the same, they see my degree in Business Administration and think that I might leave as soon as a new opportunity arises.. But they shouldn't judge us upon our previous choices.

Are you able to include a cover letter or a support statement or anything for additional information?There you could explain why you want to work in Retail when you have a degree in different discipline

I wish they would judge less as I also need a job but cannot seem to get it due to my degree being irrelevant

Lie a tiny bit - say you studied drama at university because you had a genuine interest in it at that point in your life and wanted to spend three years studying it further at university, and that whilst you really enjoyed your degree and put a lot of effort into doing well, you didn't study it because it was what you wanted a career in, but because you knew you'd find it to be an interesting and fulfilling degree, and at 18 you weren't yet 100% certain on the career path you wanted to follow so you simply studied something you enjoyed and were good at. Then go into all the transferable skills you developed whilst studying at university both in your degree and in extra-curricular activities to show that you didn't spend three years just being a stereotypical student but actually spent the time developing your employment prospects and professional skills.

Good luck!!!

Tbh drama isn't a broad degree so I am surprised they would
Think you are overqualified as such

Great advice Jessica, thank you! Hopefully that will win them round a bit more



Well I thought the same. I didn't really think my degree would go against me as such seeing as it's a really hard sector to get into. I think maybe it also be because I've been saying in previous interviews that I do ultimately want to get into acting but I'm now going to have to go with Jessica's advice and just lie. I'm willing to say anything at this point for a job.

Glad you seemed to like the advice another point that's important - when you're telling them that at 18 you didn't know what you wanted a career in (but now you've left uni you know you want to work in retail - this part is obviously the fib) you need to be prepared to tell them why you want to work in retail and maybe how you came to that decision in the three years you were at uni.

Also, if you genuinely aren't interested in retail as a career, have a long hard think about what you are at least a bit interested in or would enjoy other than acting and pursue that too. Enthusiasm (or lack thereof) does show in an interview, and actually wanting to work in the sector you're applying for makes some of the questions easier to answer ("why this job, why this company, why should we pick you, where do you see yourself in 5 years time, what can you bring to us" etc)