It depends - I know for my degree we are told if we don't use our qualification for two years we get deregistered because we can't prove we've been keeping our skills and knowledge up to date. I know op is applying to be a financial adviser so it might be different for them but that's what came to mind when I read what the interviewer said and maybe that's what he meant?

I agree with #1. Don't give up. Keep applying. If they want you, they can give you the appropriate training as well. Don't count yourself out. Go get em! :)

Certifications might need to be updated, but a college degree should never become void.

A degree is not a promise of employment. Get experience in your chosen field of study. Employers want experience as well as qualifications.

Hard to do that when a job in your field won't hire because you have no experience, so you end up not getting any.

It's the vicious circle of employment, can't get a job without experience but can't get experience without a job. Had to deal with that for three years once before someone gave me a go.

volunteer somewhere on that field.

#63, that's exactly what I was told in my first few interviews, I should have volunteered my services whilst studying, that way I would have had the qualifications as well as 3 years experience. Only need to volunteer a few hours a week but it looks good on the resume'.

Not using their degree is not the same as not having a job!

True, my bad. I inferred it from the no interviews since graduating university two years ago. He could be working at the job he had while attending. (Or like I did whoring your tech skills for tacos and booze and taking some time off before jumping into a career)

Well, you're right about the degree being always valid, but you can't keep trading off on that. Do you think you still remember your education in ten years? I don't, I remember what I used in my line of work, but I don't think I remember what I learned.