Do Degree Holders Have A Sense Of Entitlement When Job Hunting? HR Speaks Out

By Jane Gakaria,

Speaking to an employer recently he echoed words I am sure you’ve been hearing around. ” A lot of today’s degree holders tend to have a sense of entitlement when job hunting. Most believe that having a degree makes them a ‘hot commodity’ and so won’t have to struggle as much looking for jobs since they’ll be considered the first choice when a vacancy opens up. Furthermore some have a very misconstrued conception that that piece of paper, means that they should get better jobs with better salaries. So do degree holders have genuine reasons for being entitled?

Is that the case though?

Speaking to Mr. Martin Githaiga, a HR Officer with Corporate Staffing Services he totally rubbishes this claims. “That may have flied some 20 odd years ago but today, there are so many people with degrees that it’s not the rare treasure it once was.”

Mr. Newton Ogwora HR Assistant at Rose Avenue Consultants completely agrees with the above sentiments. “If you have a degree with little to no work experience, then you have no business feeling entitled. Get the experience then come talk to me.”

So where exactly do they think degree holders get this sense of entitlement from? It all has to do with history, according to Mr. Githaiga. “Back in the day having a degree got you the best jobs and pay perks. That’s how people like James Orengo made it to government.”

But now degree holders have saturated the market since universities are chucking them by the thousands, year in year out.

Another reason for this entitlement is that there’s a lot of stiff competition in the job market and being more educated has proven to be more beneficial in certain sectors. “Government offices for example tend to put more emphasis on academic qualifications. In some cases having a degree will earn you a better salary then someone who is less educated,” quips Mr. Ogwora.

So does that then mean that degree holding job seekers should flock to the public sector since work terms may be more favourable for them?

No, not exactly states Mr. Githaiga. One, you would probably be beaten out of the competition since too many (just as qualified if not more) people would have already applied. Two, even though a higher academic qualification may make you more viable, getting past the door may be hard since in government there is that ‘kujuana’ mentality, so if you don’t know anyone your job quest may be cut short.

What about the private sector, would it be easier to penetrate? Actually it might be more harder.

In the private sector experience is more relevant while in government, academic qualifications are preferred. With the private sector experience is really everything since their world is more dynamic and ever changing. So they would want to hire someone who can catch up (read experience) with the latest working trends whereas in government they already have preset protocols. This means that they use the same old ‘working formats’ and nothing much has changed since the 1960’s.

What about people with Masters degrees, do then earn more perks and better job positions? Yes and no. Masters are generally done for management qualifications. So yes if you have the relevant experience and there is proof that your skills have improved, then yes, you will get that promotion and a better salary.

On the other hand if you are a young person who barely has experience then you go off and decide to do your Masters it might be more detrimental than beneficial to you. “No one will want to touch you, more so if you are applying for a junior position. I, myself as a recruiter wouldn’t feel comfortable hiring you because what you are on paper isn’t what I’ll get in skills,” explains Mr. Githaiga.

What about promotions, will a degree holder get one faster? No, quips Mr. Ogwora. “If you as a degree holder have the same amount of experience with somebody who has a diploma, and your both up for a promotion, you won’t necessarily be considered the first choice. What will get you to the top are you skills, so focus more on that.”

Mr. Ogwora advises that job seekers should not be too aggressive more so if you don’t have the required skill. “Get the experience then you’ll be able to have the bargaining power in regards to pay and perks.”

In conclusion, people need to realize that no one is not entitled to anything in this world, let alone degree holders to better jobs and perks. What will set you apart from the others is not your degree but skill and hard work. So focus more on the latter as these are what are bound to get you ahead.

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