Employers Don’t Care Much about Your Education. Here’s the ONE Thing that Matters

While finding a job in Kenya is proving harder by day, the selection process is getting tougher by each new position. Recruiters and employers have to select the best candidates from a large pool of qualified applicants, who are applying for the same job. It gets even harder when the number of new candidates multiplies by size every passing year.

In efforts to find a solution to this problem, more effective methods are being introduced to help in the selection process. And they all have one thing in common; they begin with employers giving priority to one particular area of your CV.

The One Area that Matters Most to Employers?

The experience section. When it comes to the hiring process, employers and hiring managers are more concerned with your years of experience than they are with your educational qualifications. Not to say that your Degree or Diploma is not important, it is, but it will always come secondary in the selection process.

Most employers do not want to invest time or money in training after they are done with hiring their best candidate. They prefer a candidate with specific industrial experience. And that’s why most people, though qualified, are not getting called for interviews.

Also, Remember these Two Things When Applying for Jobs

1. Employers Always Give Priority to Your Experience

You look at a job advert and confirm that you match the education and skills. Don’t assume that employers will overlook the fact that you do not have the needed years of experience. Most recruiters will not even get to read your education section if your experience is nil or lower than what they are looking for.

If you can, maximize on portraying your relevant experience in that field, however insignificant you think it is. This will get them to continue reading through your CV.

2. Don’t Stop at Experience. Your Duties and Responsibilities are also Key

The fact that you have the years of experience needed is one thing. Your duties and responsibilities in each position are another things altogether. You may have held the position advertised in a different company, but your duties do not translate to the experience needed.

In such a scenario, someone else with the exact experience needed would get the interview invite. Maximize on showing relevance to the current job by listing the most important duties first.

“When it comes to hiring, the top 5 duties are what matter most to employers. They are what an employer or recruiter sees first when shortlisting your CV,” says Perminus Wainaina, Managing Partner & Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services.

Once the employer is satisfied that your experience matches what they are looking for in the job, they then move towards vetting your other qualifications for suitability. So when applying to jobs, put the focus on the experience required to avoid unnecessary rejection.

This article comes to you courtesy of Corporate Staffing Services.

Want to edit your CV so recruiters can see your experience at a glance? Email cvwriting@corporatestaffing.co.ke