Do Employers Value experience or a Degree
January 14th, 2007 by get a first class degree
I recently read an article “Experience, Not Degree Comes First for Employers” on the Guardian Website.
“The study of 500 employers found that, when hiring graduates, almost half were looking for relevant work experience, a good work ethic and a degree subject relevant to the job…
However, only one in four employers was interested in the class of degree, while even fewer were worried about a university’s reputation…
Anusha Everson, director for graduate employment at Hertfordshire, said: “It’s clear that gaining real-life work experience as part of your course, or on your own initiative, is an absolutely key requirement for students getting ready to go to university this September…
Those students yet to decide which university to go to, or who find themselves in clearing, would be well advised to look for courses which combine relevant subjects with opportunity to gain first-hand, practical experience.”
This is good advice, employers do look for experience. Many students find themselves in the catch 22 of needing experience to get a job, but without getting a job they are unable to get experience. To a point this can be overcome by taking courses which combine work experience, however, much of the work given to students on work placements are small menial projects, not necessarily the high value experience they really need. That said, any work experience is better than none.
The issue I have with this article is the statement that:
“only one in four employers is interested in the class of the degree”
Go and read some job advertisements (monster jobs is a good UK site) and you will see that a high proportion of employers stipulate a 2:1 or a 1st class degree as a minimum requirement, and I am sure almost all would consider degree results when choosing between closely matched candidates.
If you read the article in full, there is a list of things employers look for, however many of the items on the list would probably not be apparent on a students application form, for example ” Easygoing, cheerful attitude” or “Natural Leadership”. This implies these are interview / assessment criteria. I would argue that without a good degree you are far less likely to even get an interview. Students with a 2:2 or a third class degree will find it far harder to pass the paper sift. Again, this is why so many employers stipulate a 2:1 or a first class degree as minimum requirements, many do not even bother to interviewing students with poor results.
The bottom line is that most employers select candidates on a points based system. A certain number of points will be awarded for each attribute they are looking for. If a 2:1 or a first class degree is on their list then you will get points for it, but those points alone will not get you the job.
Another important point to remember is that in the process of getting a first class degree you are likely to learn more than a student who only achieves a 2:2. This additional knowledge and experience, gained on your degree course will (if your degree is relevant to the post you are applying for) allow you to talk authoritatively during job interviews, raise your confidence, and ultimately lead to better (interview) performance.
Conversely, if you go into a job interview with a poor degree it is likely you will be in possession of less knowledge, and feeling less confident (knowing you are already at a disadvantage).
My advice, don’t be fooled by such articles into thinking it does not matter what grade you achieve at University, it matters greatly, and will remain on your C.V. for the rest of your career!
[...] While writing the post “Do Employers Value Experience or a Degree” I was reminded of a colleague who does not have a degree. He would alway’s argue that he [...]
This is all utter pap!
I have many friends that went to Univeristy that graduated with both 2:1’s and 2:2’s they all have fantastic jobs and stipulate that providing you have good work experience and explain what positive things you gained from your university you have as much chance as the next for success.
Employers are predominantly looking for forward thinking individuals with vision and drive. Yes it looks good on the cv to have a first class degree but there are people in high powered postitions that never even did A levels so consider for a moment that University is back to the way it used to be and that ‘Normal’ working class folk did not have the opportunity to be educated at University. It has not stopped people wanting to try and educate themselves. A 2:2 does not neccesarily mean that a student has not made the neccessary effort. There are many factors affecting a students overall experience in higher education for example: The standards of teaching or the facilities or becoming accustomed to new surroundings. Some individuals find that although they may have had some poor results on assignments their communication skills and organisation devloped along with many others.
I believe it is not about degre class levels it is about motivation and selling your positive attributes to an employer. If employers were to give those with lower grades that chance they need they will find that there are many that will prove to be an asset to them. They just need to take a leap of faith and understand that although the surface is not glittering underneath lies the real treasure.
Hi Miffed,
Good comments, I agree with a lot of what you say, but the fact is that, with a lot of employers you will not pass the paper sift without the relevant bits of paper.
Look at the recent winner of the Apprentice (UK)… who lied about attending University on his CV, why did he feel the need to do this, when, he was clearly motivated etc.
As I said in my posts… check the job sites, look at what employers are asking for…. not all of them, but a significant number.