- The benefits of hiring somebody with a degree
- The benefits of hiring somebody with real experience
- What should you be really looking for?
What matters most when it comes to recruiting the perfect candidate for a job role, is an ongoing debate. Does that higher degree help more, or does their past work experience count for more? And beyond simply obtaining a job, will their experience or education serve you better in terms of getting the best returns from the candidate that you eventually choose to hire?
Both higher education and hands-on experience have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we’ll be looking into the pros of both, and what you should be actually looking for in potential candidates.
| Higher Education | Professional Experience |
|---|---|
| They have better theoretical knowledge that pertains to the industry | They have a proven track record of real-life experience in the relevant industry |
| Can be a good indication of being eager to learn and can stay committed despite yearsof grueling academics | Can be eager to learn on the job, and achieve successful results as they want to prove their capabilities in real-life context |
| Will come with a set of very specialized skills that they have learned through years ofacademics. They may however be somewhatrestricted when it comes to the areas where they can apply skills | Will come with a wide range of skills that they have gained while working in the industry. They may prove to be more dynamic and versatile in terms of skill application |
| They may not have access to a wide spectrum of contacts, especially if they are freshers off university, and they may require more time to develop people skills | They will come with a good network of contacts and will most often have great people skills |
What about remuneration?
There is generally a preconceived notion that somebody with a degree or multiple degrees will demand for a higher salary than somebody with work experience only. In fact, some jobs exclusively look for candidates who hold a degree in the relevant discipline. However, logically speaking, the remuneration is strictly decided at the discretion of the employer, and usually is a reflection of the skill, talents and potential of the candidate. It would be best for you to ask the candidate what their expectation is at the interview, and then decide if what they are seeking matches with what you have in mind for the specific job role and the already allocated pay range.
But what should you really look for as an employer?
When it comes to the debate between degrees and job experience, most employers will make the call based on the specifics of the job role and the industry. Sometimes it will be based purely on the candidate. Therefore, there is no clear cut answer to the question.
Employers often seek candidates with a combination of education and experience. If you choose education only, consider encouraging them to complete an internship or other work experience to develop important skills. If you choose experience only, motivate and create opportunities for candidates to pursue relevant certifications or training courses to verify their expertise.
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