This is true. It’s happened to me.

Conversation with a recruiter several years ago who had called me by accident and was backpedaling after realizing I didn’t have a degree, lightly edited and as best I recall:

Recruiter: I apologize, I didn’t realize you did not have a degree.

Me: No degree, but I’m currently doing the job that you’re hiring for.

Recruiter: But you’re not qualified for this position due to no degree.

Me: Ok, but I’m actually currently doing this job in real life, like right now. I’m at work doing what you’re hiring for right now.

Credentialism doesn’t help anyone as Sarah Kendzior often points out. It doesn’t help companies as someone having a degree or not in 99% of fields only has a really middling relationship with their actual job performance.

And of course it really hurts individuals.

If you don’t hire me, your loss.

I’m fucking awesome at my job.