Education or Experience: The Worldwide Debate | NY Zone Exchange

When applying for a position, do you tend to place more emphasis on your practical experience or your professional qualifications? It will come as no surprise to learn that employers are keen to recruit candidates who possess ample amounts of both. What you choose to enhance on your CV and in your application should, however, be tailored to best fit the job for which you are applying. You should also take into consideration the job market and, come the interview stage, what strengths you feel comfortable talking about. You are the product you are trying to sell. You may have a level of education that exceeds that demanded by the job description and qualities that match the person specification, but if your inability to draw attention to these lets you down, you may need to look into confidence-building courses.

Job Market Overview

UK

The sectors currently recruiting the highest numbers of graduates are financial services, construction, energy and retail. Employers look favourably on the completion of internships and voluntary work. The quality of education is generally very high thanks to the boarding schools England, in particular, boasts. As a result, competition is tough and some relevant experience can help a candidate stand out.

US

Similarly, Americans look kindly on experience. At the time of writing, there is a high unemployment rate in the US, with graduates lacking in experience suffering.

India

India possesses a strong job market, although there are barriers in place for EU/UK applicants. Personal referrals are a strong advantage in India. Experience counts for a lot, and your networking skills will get you far.

China

The employment market in China is stabilising, according to recent trends. Qualifications are deemed highly important, with a poor Gao Kao result making it very difficult to enter the job sector of choice.

Russia

Russia has the highest level of academic graduates in Europe. There is a great emphasis on social status, so networking capabilities are therefore a crucial key to success within the job market.

Research

Plan ahead! Research government policies in your chosen country of work – which areas are they likely to fund and which are likely to bear the brunt of cuts? Get a feel for the customs and culture of the country you intend to sell your skills to. Are your qualifications up to date? Keep track of global economic trends by using websites such as the FT and reports such as the Global Snapshot.

It never hurts to have the right connections, and often these will be gained from the circles you move in, combined with your extracurricular activities. Lack of experience on a CV can be compensated for by emphasising achievements that demonstrate transferable skills. You should mention any early achievements (such as a certificate in preparation for boarding school) as well as more recent ones (say, your former role as treasurer at the student union society).

The conclusion of the ‘experience or education’ debate will always revolve around the key phrase: ‘it depends’. In sectors such as engineering, medicine and law, qualifications are understandably the yardstick used to measure the applicant. In other types of work, where qualifications may be generally lacking, for example in journalism, early experience can open doors and in some cases may even be preferable to certificates.