Job adverts seeking graduates could be outlawed

[Iron]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs ... lawed.html

What is this country coming to?

Next they'll make it illegal to state in a job ad that experience is required for a position, in case it discriminates against the young!

And you won't be able to specify that people applying for customer service roles are enthusiastic, in case you discriminate against people suffering from depression!

Jeff

[Euler]

Given how little a degree means nowadays, I don't think it will make much difference. I must admit I have recruited many people and I'd rank experiance well above any qualification. Knowing what to do and actually being able to do are two different things in my experiance.

[Iron]

Given how little a degree means nowadays, I don't think it will make much difference.

To a point, I'd agree. Having a 2:2 degree in Basketball Studies from the University of West Ruralshire doesn't prove much about your abilities IMHO. However, there may be technical positions where having relevant qualifications is important, but where employers are told that asking about those qualifications amounts to age discrimination. Also, having a first from a top university is relevant to what you'd be able to offer an organisation IMHO, and it would be a shame if things came to the point where it was illegal for employers to take that kind of thing into account...

Jeff

[Euler]

If you want an insight into how degrees are viewed by senior managers. I was at a company once where I was pressing them on recruitment policy. The upshot was if you recruited a gradute from a decent establishment you could point to their education as one reason why you made the right choice. If you appoint somebody without that background then you are suddenly in the firing line.

[Iron]

That's a shame, as there may be people with great qualities (who aren't necessarily intellectually oriented) who get passed over. I can't say that kind of risk averse, back watching behaviour surprises me though...

Jeff

[Euler]

A lot of corporations are built on continuity. That suits some people but never really sat very well with me.

[superfrank]

continuity is a very polite word for it!, but i know what you mean.

[rubysglory]

I'd rank experiance well above any qualification. Knowing what to do and actually being able to do are two different things in my experiance.

Well said Euler. IMO the experienced 'uneducated' person quite often has more to offer an organisation that the 'educated' no it all with little or no life experience and even less work ethic. Just an observation and no doubt bound to offend someone Oh well !

rg

[superfrank]

the catch 22 for a young person with a relatively poor education (often through no fault of their own due to social circumstances/problems) is getting some experience.

[PeterLe]

Although I do agree that experience is important there is a counter argument..
I have recruited people in the past too and if I was conducting an interview and comparing two candidates, if one of them had a 1st Class i would know instantly that that person had the "ability" to learnt at a certain level whereas the other candidate may be an unknown?

[Marshy10]

Experience in the relevant field gazumps a wet behind the ears, arrogant know it all graduate, 10 times over. Lets face it, its an easy life at university. The technical degrees are worth their weight, anything else just shows you're in it for the parties!<--Thankyou mr self righteous!

[Iron]

I think there are many component to success. The fact that someone has succeeded in academia doesn't mean that they will be successful in the real world.

And as we see in trading, the link between intelligence and success is limited. I think how well a person does at a job will be determined to a far greater degree by their attitude; by how much focus, passion and desire they can bring to the table.

Jeff

[lewismbet]

As a 'graduate' I actually agree that experience is probably more important, despite having a good degree from a good uni I have interviews for jobs this fortnight where they are at least putting equal weight on my time at uni and the work experience I have gained in promoted posts while working.

Also I would not employ that many of the people I went to uni with, I expect those who have not worked while at uni and who have learned how to answer exams rather than to think for themselves will be ill-suited to the 'real-world'.