At a crossroad
Discussion
KFC said:
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the s
t applicants, no ?
This You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the s
t applicants, no ?
Pete
(BEng Hons - 1st Class)Pete102 said:
KFC said:
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the st applicants, no ?
This You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the s
t applicants, no ?Pete
(BEng Hons - 1st Class)I have to say that my experience of those with 1st Class degrees is that they are just as much of a mixed bag as those with a 2:2. There is not point in having the Worlds greatest academic if they fold as soon as presented with real world scenarios. Frankly I remember well from my course a number of people who I would never dare put within 5 miles of a Client and they came from the top as well as the bottom of the year.
Rude-boy said:
Well I'm happy to say that my degree isn't a first class one, and it isn't something that has ever bothered me, although it was back in the days when not everyone went to uni...
I have to say that my experience of those with 1st Class degrees is that they are just as much of a mixed bag as those with a 2:2. There is not point in having the Worlds greatest academic if they fold as soon as presented with real world scenarios. Frankly I remember well from my course a number of people who I would never dare put within 5 miles of a Client and they came from the top as well as the bottom of the year.
Indeed. I was actually speaking to someone involved in grad recruitment at a large UK consultancy. He said the top priority for any candidate was whether they'd feel comfortable sending the individual out to a client. But then when you're getting tens of thousands of applications a year, looking for those with a 2.1 is an easy filter.I have to say that my experience of those with 1st Class degrees is that they are just as much of a mixed bag as those with a 2:2. There is not point in having the Worlds greatest academic if they fold as soon as presented with real world scenarios. Frankly I remember well from my course a number of people who I would never dare put within 5 miles of a Client and they came from the top as well as the bottom of the year.
jonnydm said:
Indeed. I was actually speaking to someone involved in grad recruitment at a large UK consultancy. He said the top priority for any candidate was whether they'd feel comfortable sending the individual out to a client. But then when you're getting tens of thousands of applications a year, looking for those with a 2.1 is an easy filter.
Not that it would have narrowed it down by much given anyone who goes to uni seems to get a 2.1okgo said:
jonnydm said:
Indeed. I was actually speaking to someone involved in grad recruitment at a large UK consultancy. He said the top priority for any candidate was whether they'd feel comfortable sending the individual out to a client. But then when you're getting tens of thousands of applications a year, looking for those with a 2.1 is an easy filter.
Not that it would have narrowed it down by much given anyone who goes to uni seems to get a 2.1
Rude-boy said:
Well I'm happy to say that my degree isn't a first class one, and it isn't something that has ever bothered me, although it was back in the days when not everyone went to uni...
I have to say that my experience of those with 1st Class degrees is that they are just as much of a mixed bag as those with a 2:2. There is not point in having the Worlds greatest academic if they fold as soon as presented with real world scenarios. Frankly I remember well from my course a number of people who I would never dare put within 5 miles of a Client and they came from the top as well as the bottom of the year.
Very much tongue in cheek mate, I share your sentiment I have to say that my experience of those with 1st Class degrees is that they are just as much of a mixed bag as those with a 2:2. There is not point in having the Worlds greatest academic if they fold as soon as presented with real world scenarios. Frankly I remember well from my course a number of people who I would never dare put within 5 miles of a Client and they came from the top as well as the bottom of the year.
I honestly don't believe you need a degree to do well, and I honestly don't think it would put me off applying for a job if it said you needed one.
In my experience, the better HR departments actually spend time with hiring managers to understand what they need. As such, many will accept 'suitable experience' as a replacement for a degree.
In my eyes, a degree gets you the first job out of University, after that, its experience.
I'm currently recruiting for a role and I can honestly say I've not read the qualifications section on the CV's for longer than a few seconds. Its all been about the work experience.
(I'm 30, no degree (but studying part time at the OU for one) and 11 years experience in the work I do).
In my experience, the better HR departments actually spend time with hiring managers to understand what they need. As such, many will accept 'suitable experience' as a replacement for a degree.
In my eyes, a degree gets you the first job out of University, after that, its experience.
I'm currently recruiting for a role and I can honestly say I've not read the qualifications section on the CV's for longer than a few seconds. Its all been about the work experience.
(I'm 30, no degree (but studying part time at the OU for one) and 11 years experience in the work I do).
conanius said:
I honestly don't believe you need a degree to do well, and I honestly don't think it would put me off applying for a job if it said you needed one.
In my experience, the better HR departments actually spend time with hiring managers to understand what they need. As such, many will accept 'suitable experience' as a replacement for a degree.
In my eyes, a degree gets you the first job out of University, after that, its experience.
I'm currently recruiting for a role and I can honestly say I've not read the qualifications section on the CV's for longer than a few seconds. Its all been about the work experience.
(I'm 30, no degree (but studying part time at the OU for one) and 11 years experience in the work I do).
From the experience that I've had / am having, (funnily enough!) it makes the biggest difference at graduate 'entry' level in certain industries. Large firms simply don't have the time to sift through applications so use it as an easy filter and small firms in those industries want to have similar standards. The trick is finding another way round as it seems for many roles, even in the industries that like good degrees, after a year or more of relevant experience its not really a priority.In my experience, the better HR departments actually spend time with hiring managers to understand what they need. As such, many will accept 'suitable experience' as a replacement for a degree.
In my eyes, a degree gets you the first job out of University, after that, its experience.
I'm currently recruiting for a role and I can honestly say I've not read the qualifications section on the CV's for longer than a few seconds. Its all been about the work experience.
(I'm 30, no degree (but studying part time at the OU for one) and 11 years experience in the work I do).
truck71 said:
Nope, show me raw intelligence, positivity and a great attitude and it's worth more than experience at the level the OP is describing. Bright graduates can have a quick impact on organisations, keep them coming through as they develop and move on in their careers.
I haven't come across anyone in my working career with a degree who has shown benefit from having the degree, and I've come across a large number of people with degrees who I would happily describe as utterly incapable of working without guidance.To suggest that those without degrees are categorically worse than those with degrees is as bad as ruling out blacks, gays and women in my book.
Has anybody ever had any luck as a bit of an 'older' apprentice? Are companies willing to take on somebody in their mid-twenties? I've always really chosen my path out of sheer necessity and or coincidence and feel like they were mostly sub-conscious decisions. I'd love to pursue what I did throughout sixth form/college (web design, software developing) but ever so slightly leaning on the side of 30 I'm unsure whether anybody would take the plunge with me.
Jimmy No Hands said:
Has anybody ever had any luck as a bit of an 'older' apprentice? Are companies willing to take on somebody in their mid-twenties? I've always really chosen my path out of sheer necessity and or coincidence and feel like they were mostly sub-conscious decisions. I'd love to pursue what I did throughout sixth form/college (web design, software developing) but ever so slightly leaning on the side of 30 I'm unsure whether anybody would take the plunge with me.
I think both of those things, particularly the former are examples of jobs where experience and ability is what they're after rather than qualifications. Plenty of smaller companies needing both of these things but looking for high quality and there are people with those skills as well as people willing to do it online from India/E. Europe for much less. Key is what else can you bring to the table? Perhaps take on some of those online freelance jobs to build up a profile. KFC said:
If you're getting 100+ applicants for one opening, why would you want to do anything less than immediately filter out the people who weren't smart enough to get a 1st, or who couldn't be bothered to put the effort in to get one?
You can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the st applicants, no ?
And what weighting would you apply to someone with a 2:1 in something like Chemistry or Maths compared to a First in Meeja and Beckham studies or the likeYou can't interview everyone... this seems one of the quickest and easiest ways of generally filtering out the s
t applicants, no ?worsy said:
You are probably getting close to the point that qualifications start to matter less. I'd be inclined to leave them off especially if your cv stretches to two decent A4 sheets.
I graduated in 1998 and have just had to provide a copy of my degree cert as part of the screening for a job I've been offered. Kinda odd really as most of the stuff my degree covered is not massively relevant.Jimmy No Hands said:
Has anybody ever had any luck as a bit of an 'older' apprentice? Are companies willing to take on somebody in their mid-twenties? I've always really chosen my path out of sheer necessity and or coincidence and feel like they were mostly sub-conscious decisions. I'd love to pursue what I did throughout sixth form/college (web design, software developing) but ever so slightly leaning on the side of 30 I'm unsure whether anybody would take the plunge with me.
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