Work Experience Versus Education What Is More Important for Employers

Work experience versus education? Which one will make you win the job? Back when university education was a privilege rather than a prerequisite for entering the workforce, degrees were held in high regard, distinguishing a job candidate from the rest of their peers. However, that’s no longer the case these days. Tertiary education has never been more accessible. From distance learning to online degrees to foreign universities setting up local campuses across Asia, quality education has become the norm rather than the exception.

Various studies show that, while most employers still expect their employees to be graduates, they don’t attach much significance to the awarding institution or the degree itself. This shift in priority leads to the question: why is experience important in the workplace? And how does this affect the recruitment process? Read on to learn why experience is (more) important in job hunting. 

Why Is Experience Important in the Workplace?

Research finds 58% of employers rating work experience as “the most popular qualification among those presented”, with 48% favouring “personality” as the second most popular criterion. The USA’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that only 33% of US jobs require a college degree. This further supports this trend, pointing to a shift in focus toward field experience and pertinent skills and training.

What employers look for in job applicants

In another study of 500 employers conducted by the University of Hertfordshire, almost half of polled respondents favoured “relevant work experience, a good work ethic, and relevant degree subject” when hiring graduates. Only one in four employers were interested in the degree, with even a smaller percentage concerned about a university’s reputation.

According to the study, employers rated the top 10 attributes as follows when considering job applicants:

1. Relevant work experience
2. Work ethic and attitude
3. Degree subject studied
4. Team spirit
5. Maturity
6. Degree classification
7. An easygoing, cheerful attitude
8. The reputation of the university attended
9. Ambition and career goals
10. Leadership skills

What is work experience?

Between a 20-something with several years of experience and a fresh grad with a single internship, who can affect an organisation more? While both bring different positive attributes to the table, someone with more experience can succeed more. 

But what exactly is work experience? Is a one-week stint drafting emails and answering calls enough? It could be, as long as you hone your skill set. Experience is any activity undertaken to expand knowledge and practice your present capabilities. For most employers, it refers to your working history, including past or current positions and the projects you’ve completed under an organisation. It can also involve internships and other extracurriculars outside a professional setting. 

For example, a digital marketing executive may possess experience in several communication fields. They may have held positions that required writing, some graphic design, and photography. They could have been a social media coordinator or online community manager previously. 

Work Experience vs. Education

Some jobs still require a certain level of education. You must finish a degree to become a lawyer, teacher, doctor, or accountant. These professions depend on the knowledge you can only gain in the classroom.

What are the pros of education?

1. You learn about different theories that can aid in future decision-making. Business decisions are best when rooted in thorough analysis. 
2. Most white-collar jobs require degrees as these prepare an individual for specific tasks in an organisation. You can’t be in finance without studying numbers. 
3. Going to school isn’t just about gaining knowledge. It also helps an individual mature in other aspects, including socially and emotionally. 
4. A university can help someone expand their network. Someone who graduated from the same school might just help you land a job. 
5. You get to choose the people you work with and study with. You can assign roles to peers whose strengths match a task’s needs. 

What are the pros of work experience?

1. You get to practice theories and see how they affect real-life situations. There is a certain fulfilment when you see something in books become a reality. 
2. Skill sets expand beyond those learned in school. Many lessons, whether in your personal or professional life, can only be taught by the “outside world.” 
3. You become tougher and more confident to surpass challenges. Experience shows how you solve real and tangible problems. It also shows how you react to different situations.  
4. You gain a more active role in searching for mentors. You don’t settle with whoever is in front of you.
5. Teamwork gains new meaning. Sometimes, you barely know anyone in the group. Plus, you work under immense pressure in an unfamiliar environment. You learn how to adapt. 

What jobs usually don’t require a degree?

While a degree can help you excel in some jobs, employers add more weight to your experience and attitude for the following. Here are positions that don’t always necessitate a diploma or one related to the field. Some of these even earn more than those who went to university. 

• Air traffic controller
• Lift technician
• Personal trainer
• Events manager
• Flight attendant
• Sales executive
• Digital marketing manager
• Customer service manager
• Fashion designer
• Restaurant manager
• SEO specialist
• E-commerce specialist
• Art director
• Computer programmer
• Translator
• Real estate agent
• Content writer
• Web developer
• Photographer

How to gain more work experience

There are numerous ways to gain more experience and update your skill set. Internships and apprenticeships are reliable options to learn about a job or a skill. Sometimes, you even get paid for your work in these roles. Another option is to volunteer at your preferred community or nonprofit. Here, you gain valuable know-how while giving back and advocating a cause dear to you.

What if the position requires more theoretical proficiency? You can always enrol in workshops, short courses, and online classes. Numerous platforms offer certifications that can help expand your expertise. You might just need to upskill or reskill, so a quick learning opportunity should suffice. Finding a mentor is a good way to gain more experience and upgrade your education. This person can come from your network or your target company. Ask for help to evaluate your present capabilities and find ways to develop those together.

Why Skills are Important in Job Hunting

So, you have a lot of experience, but they still don’t align with your target job. Don’t feel discouraged! Keep in mind that many companies look at both technical and transferable skills.

Kris Stadelman, director of the NOVA Workforce Investment Board in Silicon Valley, asserts: “Employers are interested in what skills you bring and how these skills can be used in their business.” TIME cites a study by NOVA on tech employers that found “mastery of current technologies” as the most critical factor in their recruitment decisions.

This emphasis on skills, according to the TIME article author, extends beyond tech to other sectors, including business services, financial services, healthcare, and hospitality. The author concludes, “Employers seek people with skills that apply to the particular job—and who have the ability to solve problems and work in a team.” This indicates that not just tech skills are in demand, but practical and transferable skills as well, essentially any direct or tangential skills relevant to the job in question.

The value of resourcefulness

Top companies around the world already practise skills-based hiring. Some well-known organisations leading the pack include Google, Apple, Netflix, Tesla, and IBM. 

Perhaps a key factor that makes Google successful is its unconventional approach toward all aspects of its operations, including recruitment. In an interview with the New York Times, Google’s Senior Vice President of People Operations, Laszlo Bock, commented that “GPAs are worthless as criteria for hiring, and test scores are worthless… We found that they don’t predict anything.”

Instead, Bock credits resourcefulness as a far more valuable skill to possess: “When you look at people who don’t go to school and make their way in the world, those are exceptional human beings. And we should do everything we can to find those people.”

Finding the right balance

Sometimes, hirers find it challenging to fill open positions. Months can pass without a viable candidate. In such cases, companies can look beyond a person’s educational attainment and focus on their experience. Or it can still be the other way around. The perfect solution? Equip yourself with the right balance of having enough work experience and obtaining appropriate education. 

Times are changing, and along with it, the perceived value of one’s skills and attributes as an employee. On your next job interview, and when you need to “tell something about yourself”, highlight your full potential. Showcase your entirety, not just what you think the company prefers. And if you’re still worried about how your academic qualifications compare with your peers, don’t be. Your work experience and attitude matter a lot more.

Ready to gain more work experience? #SEEKBetter jobs by updating your JobStreet profile to showcase your current skill set. Find more opportunities for improvement via the Career Tools page.