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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you would hire a non graduate over a graduate?

36 replies

tequilasunrises · 26/07/2019 07:53

If they both met the job criteria?

Asking on behalf of my DH. He has seen a trainee job in a field that he is would love to go into. He is 30 and currently works in a totally different field but has worked in lots of teams and (I think) has plenty of transferable skills.

It would be a salary cut initially until he is qualified but he is worried that he wouldn’t stand a chance against all the graduates out there and that they will filter him out immediately due to him not having a degree.

If you were recruiting - would you use being a graduate as a ‘filter’ if you had a huge volume of applications? It will definitely be competitive as all training programmes in this field are and he doesn’t want to waste his time even though he is keen for a career change.

Thanks!

OP posts:
TheChain · 26/07/2019 07:57

It depends what the role is for...
If it’s training to become chartered in accountancy or surveying etc then naturally graduates are preferred because a degree is necessary and companies will prefer candidates that don’t need time to study or they may be asked to pay for the degree.

What field is he looking at going in to? X

TheChain · 26/07/2019 07:58

Sorry I don’t know where the X came from Grin

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 26/07/2019 07:58

It honestly doesn't matter what I or anyone else on MN would or wouldn't do as we are not the ones who would be shortlisting.

What does matter is if he doesn't try at all for fear of not being selected he will definitely not get shortlisted whereas if he tries there is a chance he could be chosen.

He has nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying and if he doesn't get selected then at least he knows he tried rather than sitting there wondering what if.

MargeryB · 26/07/2019 07:58

I would use graduate as a filter if I said I was going too in the job ad. Is a degree an essential requirement? If it doesn't say that, I wouldn't. Our job ads say degree or equivalent experience as essential or desirable depending on the role.

Even if it did say essential I may consider an application if all other boxes were ticked and I was short on applicants. He could just call the recruiting manager and ask.

isabellerossignol · 26/07/2019 08:04

He'll never know unless he tries. If the job advertisement doesn't mention a degree at all then surely they can't use the lack of one to filter out applications?

Ricekrispie22 · 26/07/2019 08:05

If he can demonstrate that he’s as capable at doing the job than any of the others, then I wouldn’t reject his application, especially as it’s a trainee job because the most important characteristics for any trainee are being a good learner, being able to follow instructions and being able to work below someone (many graduates can’t). I’d also consider how well he’d fit into the team. It’s worth a try, after all, what’s the worst that can happen?

isabellerossignol · 26/07/2019 08:06

It depends what the role is for...
If it’s training to become chartered in accountancy or surveying etc then naturally graduates are preferred because a degree is necessary

A degree isn't necessary for accountancy. It's the professional qualifications that matter. They're a lot harder than a degree anyway.

heidbuttsupper · 26/07/2019 08:07

Go for it! The job I recently applied for asked for a 2:1 Honours degree or above. No degree here Grin

Pineapplefish · 26/07/2019 08:09

Can he phone the company and ask this question?

Original poster
tequilasunrises · 26/07/2019 08:26

Well done @heidbuttsupper that’s amazing!

It’s a kind of cyber security/investigative sort of role and at the moment he works in investment banking so it would be a massive career change for him.

The ad doesn’t specifically mention a degree no - I think it was me that probably put the idea in his head as I’ve said before that my parents pushed me to do a degree (I do have a decent job but it doesn’t actually require my degree at all really) and used to say things like ‘well if employers are choosing between you and x and you have the same skills but x has a degree, who do you think they would go for’ etc.

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 26/07/2019 08:32

I have hired non-graduates over graduates before. Ultimately, I want the best person for the job, so it's a question of balancing what each candidate brings to the table. Having a degree or other qualifications is one aspect of that, but certainly not the only one - experience, skills, personal qualities are all important.

PooWillyBumBum · 26/07/2019 08:33

I didn't finish my degree. The job I'm in now I was up against a woman with a PhD (we were chatting in reception) and someone with 20 years more experience than me. I did better in the logic, maths and practical exercises. My boss also said the first thing she looks at is A levels and I have 4 As. All hiring managers will have different approaches!

We recently hired someone to a role where we usually look for a degree...he had none and was a Red Devil paratrooper. Just absolutely loved him in interview and he was sharp as anything. That said he's coming in at a wage/level where others are a few years younger (as usually graduates or just a couple of years into their career). I think it's usually worth a shot.

TheChain · 26/07/2019 08:37

@tequilasunrises well if it doesn’t specify a degree is required and he’s got all the skills then go for it!

A degree isn't necessary for accountancy. It's the professional qualifications that matter. They're a lot harder than a degree anyway
With a degree behind you though the professional qualifications you take are of a higher level, same with surveying. You don’t need a degree but it puts you several steps ahead when training and often companies will prefer grads because of this. Ultimately companies want the most out of their employees for the least amount of cost to them, the more have to train or the more qualifications you need to achieve then the more it’ll cost them.

PopWentTheWeasel · 26/07/2019 08:48

Tell him to have a read of the person spec. If the person spec specifies a degree, either as essential or desirable, he won't get it over a graduate, but it if just specifies GCSEs etc. he's got as good a chance as any,

Brefugee · 26/07/2019 08:55

Unless the degree is an absolute requirement for the role, it's only one way of sorting out applicants. Especially young ones without much experience. When you have 10+ years of experience it's less useful as a way to select

BarbaraofSeville · 26/07/2019 09:18

If a degree isn't a requirement, then he shouldn't be at a disadvantage and in fact may have a better chance, because it is more likely that graduates won't stay as they may be off once the chance at an actual graduate role comes up.

If he meets the criteria for the job, then he should go for it.

BikeRunSki · 26/07/2019 09:23

A few years ago I realised that the people I work with, who are stand out best at their jobs, are not “traditional” school-a levels-degree graduates. I’m a civil engineer. These are people who did evening class, apprenticeships, on the job site based learning etc and worked their way through the academics gradually to gain chartership.

TheGoogleMum · 26/07/2019 09:26

Relevant experience can beat out a degree, so if he can say he has some experience in this area he might be in with a decent chance

nicelyneurotic · 26/07/2019 10:06

When hiring, I don't really look at whether they have a degree. Experience and eork-relared achievements are more important. And personality too.

bellabasset · 26/07/2019 10:11

Tell him to apply- nothing ventured, nothing gained. Good luck to him

Original poster
tequilasunrises · 26/07/2019 10:11

Thanks everyone, I will definitely encourage him to apply. I’d love to see him doing something he’s passionate about even in spite of the pay cut!

OP posts:
probstimeforanewname · 26/07/2019 10:12

If it's a cybersecurity role I would have thought they'd be more interested in skills and experience than paper qualifications.

gonewiththepotter · 26/07/2019 10:14

I think it’s as much about experience as a degree. So if DH interviews better and has the same/more experience then yes he’ll probably get it.

However, if your DH has sonilar experience and a similar interview performance then it’s natural they’d go for the candidate who also has the degree!

NorthernBirdAtHeart · 26/07/2019 10:14

Definitely encourage him to apply. He should use the covering letter as an opportunity to highlight his transferable skills and experience he can bring.
Good luck!

BrokenWing · 26/07/2019 10:16

The only thing that is certain is if he doesn't apply he wont get it.

If he does apply and doesn't get an interview then he can ask for feedback. If he does apply and gets through to interview, he gets a chance to sell his transferable skills and what about Cyber security excites him, then if he doesn't get it he can ask for feedback.

The feedback could help him understand what he needs to do or decide if he wishes to pursue the career change further. That is not a waste of his time if he is really keen.