Qualified Job Seekers

Introduction

A qualification is like a signpost – a clear, bold statement to sell yourself, show what you can do and highlight the added value you would bring to any workplace. 

For many, completing a qualification is a long, expensive, tiring struggle, possibly with a lot of late nights and coffee to get to the finish line.  Is it really all worth it? 

When thinking about how to learn something new we often now turn to Google or You Tube – searching for how to make a website/wire up a camper van/cook the perfect meal. 

With so much information at the tips of our fingertips at anytime of the day or night, are qualifications still really necessary?

Evidence

Recruiters need a quick way of sifting through applications to see who has the necessary skills for a vacant position.  Having a qualification rather than just experience when you submit your CV/application helps you to sell yourself and get through to the next round in the selection process.

·       Completing a qualification demonstrates commitment, perseverance and a real interest in the subject – all qualities that employers are looking for. 

·       Many qualifications also demand a high level of research and independent study which are also valuable attributes to take into a workplace. 

·       For example, a writer with a journalism qualification will have gained a variety or skills from their course in addition to writing, such as shorthand, photography, referencing and reporting so a qualified candidate really does add value. 

Assurance of quality

·       With more and more positions being advertised as work from home jobs or remote jobs, managers need to know they can depend on their team to deliver a high level of performance without intensive supervision, so a qualified workforce is essential. 

·       There is also a shared language between those qualified in a particular sector which can make communication easier and faster. 

·       For example, a qualified administrator working with sensitive data will already know about client confidentiality and General Data Protection Regulations so can easily deliver a high-quality service without further training.   Or a qualified computer programmer will already have learnt the industry specific foundations of coding language and will be able to quickly move through tasks.

Health and safety

·       An important consideration in many sectors is health and safety - if you submit your CV/ application with a qualification in manual handling, food hygiene, risk assessment or first aid it could be the deciding factor in helping you get shortlisted for interview.

·       Some sectors have additional requirements for qualifications in health and safety, for instance the construction industry has a basic Construction Skills Certification Scheme qualification (in the form of a card) which acts as a shorthand way of showing recruiters that you have all the appropriate training and qualifications to work on a construction site.  The card is recognised across the UK and is often requested by online recruitment agencies so that they can submit your CV for vacancies on construction sites or with house builders.

·       If you are a qualified job seeker aiming to find work on farms, having City and Guilds qualifications proving you are safe and legal to operate tractors, chainsaws, brush cutters and pesticides, enables recruitment agencies to submit your CV to employers with confidence.

Knowledge contribution to business and workforces

·       Qualified Job seekers have developed a genuine commitment to continuous professional development and bring with them an ability to teach and train colleagues in their specialist fields - a useful resource for updating the team on the latest research and developments. 

·       For example, a recently qualified teacher may have covered a variety of specialisms in their placements in different schools and settings – working with children with special educational needs, English as a second language or students who have been excluded from mainstream education. Compared to simply training on the job in one school, this gives them a rich experience and additional knowledge to guide and advise others.

·       Qualified Job seekers are also often members of sector bodies and can access networking events to find and develop new leads. 

Online recruitment agencies

Agencies receive thousands of CVs and need an efficient way of screening them – selecting only the qualified job seekers helps them to reduce the time spent choosing who should be called for interview. 

In the past it was common to go in and visit agencies, to sit down with a recruiter and have the opportunity to sell yourself but now everything happens online having a qualification helps your CV to stand out.

Overseas jobs

Recruiters seeking to fill overseas jobs need to focus on qualified job seekers because experience alone may not translate in another culture. 

·       Although qualifications vary from country to country, in many fields there is an established system for "equating” qualifications so that recruiters can make sense of "foreign” qualifications.  For example, to fill their skills shortages, recruiters need to be able to work out what level a UK nursing qualification would be in a German setting. 

·       In some cases, there is also an option to rapidly top up (or convert) your qualification to use it in another country, for example to take an extra evening course in plumbing to bring your UK qualification inline with Spanish requirements. 

·       If you do not have a qualification in the first place, then your overseas job search will be much more challenging.

Productivity

·      Qualified Job seekers are able to quickly learn the tasks specific to a new role without needing extensive training as they have the foundations of learning from their qualification. 

·       Studying over time teaches candidates theories, models, case studies and problem-solving approaches all of which can be applied to the new workplace.  For example, a qualified pastry chef will have learnt how to produce large quantities of neat, identical pastries whilst keeping their working area clean and tidy. 

·       In a short space of time a qualified candidate becomes a productive member of the team, ready to share their knowledge with others. 

New changes and technologies

In the process of gaining their qualifications, students are constantly learning and absorbing new information and tactics.  For example, a candidate who learnt Computer Aided Design (CAD) on their engineering course will be able to adapt and use that skill in a variety of new CAD packages. 

To successfully complete a qualification whether as a mechanic, seamstress or engineer, you must demonstrate that you can get to grips with new ideas, approaches and strategies and recruiters know that this ability is of real value in the workplace. 

Business growth

·       Qualified Job Seekers bring with them ideas of new methodologies, theories and business models that can help the employer improve, streamline or diversify. 

·       They will also bring a useful network gained during their studies – university contacts, fellow researchers, master craftsmen and women – all of which can be leveraged to grow the business.  For example, a computer animator will have worked collaboratively on a range of projects during his/her studies and many of those classmates will go on to work in similar fields so can refer customers and make recommendations. 

·      As a qualified job seeker, you will also benefit your employer by bringing with you a strategic approach – understanding the importance of planning, monitoring and reviewing will help any business develop. For example, a qualified charity fundraiser will be able to audit current fundraising activities for their return on investment and make recommendations for improvements.

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Degrees and qualifications involve intellectual training that enable individuals to analyse and solve problems faced by contemporary societies.  Analytical and problem-solving skills are among the main criteria used by recruiters to hire the right candidates.  In the process of gaining a qualification, the intellect is stretched and developed, like a muscle in training.  This provides qualified candidates with a robust and resilient approach to their role – when challenges arise, they are not easily defeated but can look for creative solutions and different ways of working.

Learning from the experts

Whilst a jobseeker with experience will have learnt by trial and error, or by on-the-job training from a peer, qualified job seekers will have been taught by experts and leaders in their field. 

This really gives a big advantage in terms of universal knowledge and methods across the whole sector.  For example, a Countryside Management student will have learnt traditional skills such as hedge laying, stile building, coppicing and dry-stone walling from expert tutors who want to ensure those skills survive.

Career advice

UK career advice recommends lifelong learning – the concept that you should be continually topping up your qualifications to enhance your job search. 

Careers advisers explore with jobseekers the idea that they now need to expect a "crazy paving” approach to career progression rather than the career ladder that previous generations knew.

With the expansion of online learning, finding a qualification to boost your prospects is easier than ever.  Why not take the plunge and sign up for a new qualification this year and see the benefits for you and your career.