More Employers Are Hiring Degreed Candidates

Marcianne Kuethen

March 25, 2014

In a national online survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder, employers revealed that workers today can’t afford to stop their education at the high school level. The poll, conducted from November 6 to December 2, 2013, collected information from 2,201 hiring managers and human resource professionals from various industries and company sizes. Here’s a quick summary of the results (read the full press release of the report here):

84% of employers cited at least one positive result from hiring college-educated workers for occupations previously held by high-school graduates. These impacts included increased revenue, higher-quality work, innovation, and productivity. Employers also indicated increases in communication, employee retention, and customer loyalty/retention.

The survey revealed something we’ve heard a lot these past few years, that some employers (58%) go after degreed candidates because the tight labor market makes it feasible. Others (55%) said that skills for their positions have evolved, requiring higher-educated labor. Either way, it supports what we’ve been saying, that the demand for knowledge workers is increasing.

Big data research published in The Talent Equation supports the survey findings for most job functions; hiring more workers with college degrees in some fields appears to significantly affect a company’s bottom line. However, in the area of information technology, the correlation between these positive impacts and degreed workers disappeared. Just as computer software and hardware depreciate, so do IT workers’ skills and other intangible assets. “This lends credence to the view that hiring for degrees alone cannot ensure a successful workforce, especially in tech-related occupations.”

We at Amtec would have to agree that just because candidates are college-educated doesn’t make them a great fit. If you’re an employer, in addition to competence (education and skills), your hiring process needs to also take into account the potential employee’s character and chemistry or culture fit.

If you’re a job-seeker, this may be your wake-up call. Have you been thinking about retraining, developing your skills further, or going back to college? If so, now may be the time. As employers carry on the war for talent, you’ll want to be on the battlefield, not sidelined with the wounded as degreed candidates pass you by.

Employers, do you have a problem employee? Here’s what it costs you to keep him or her…

Job seekers, are you afraid your resume will be rejected? Here’s a good trick!

By Marcianne Kuethen