Degrees vs. Abilities: Who Wins in Modern Hiring? - Business and Career Coach Geneva

For years, a diploma meant opening doors for you. It was the golden ticket for opportunities, jobs, and career progression. Without it, you were simply out of the norm, a misfit. I always argued that diplomas and degrees prove you are skilful, capable, and curious to learn. It is not about paper; it is more about humans and their willingness to take responsibility, fail, and do it again.

I saw many professionals with degrees and diplomas who could not communicate, convey their message, or evolve. They stayed in their hamster wheel.

So, what is more important? We see a shift in this matter as the world and technology progress faster than formal education. This blog explores this new trend and the necessity of hiring according to the skills a human brings to the table, not on paper. Especially inclusive hiring shall be the norm, meaning that one size fits all in an interview process will not work either.

And don’t get me wrong. Diplomas, learning, and training will still be applicable and necessary. Who wants to go to a lawyer who did not study law? So, we need training and some verification. But we need to be flexible now.

Abilities are flexible

AI, digital transformation, and the new way of working make skill-based abilities more important than a degree. The growth mindset of being open to explore, learning fast and quickly, and being adaptable is the new norm for any organization to thrive. So shall be the hiring process.

We know that AI will take over for automation or repetitive tasks. Therefore, we need humans with critical thinking, innovation, connecting the dots, collaboration, and good communication skills—all that AI cannot replace—the human deep-dive skills.

The new employees need to follow trends, be able to suggest, and be engaged. The game has changed. On top of a formal degree, the question that will be asked or is already:

Can you deliver?
Can you grow with the company?
Can you bring value from day one?

The shift to skill-based hiring

Strong companies like Tesla, Google, and Apple do ditch the degree and have made a change towards ability hiring.

What is essential for them is not where you go to school or what type of paper you have. More critical in this new era is solving problems, navigating through challenges, and using simulations and assessments on business cases for their hiring process.

LinkedIn’s 2023 report on global hiring trends revealed a significant shift: skills-based hiring is rising.

This is excellent news for career shifters and emerging professionals who did not follow the traditional education path. Vocational education is now on every company’s radar.

Question: Are degrees useless?

Of course not. Still, we need to prove that we undertook the required basic learning and that the needed information was obtained. Each country has different specifications and cultural backgrounds, and a degree or diploma is required for an entry position. Yes, it is never black and white.

Going through formal education is another proof of discipline, perseverance, and resilience, which is equally crucial.

Any higher educational institution provides networking, learning from professors, and a safe playground where emerging professionals can test the waters.

And here is the truth: Only a degree is not sufficient anymore. It must balance human skills, basic knowledge, and the willpower to learn. Not only will power but also demonstrating initiative, curiosity, and being a strong team player, which cannot be taught only in lecture halls.

The New Hiring Currency: Confidence+Competence

This combines your passion, abilities, strengths, experiences, and ability to communicate your value effectively.

Can you speak clearly about your strengths?
Can you back up your claims with real stories?
Can you show proof of impact through projects, portfolios, or testimonials?

This is the decision criterion of the new hiring process.

I would like to add courage—the courage to reach out to people and companies without even having a job advert.

In interviews, which I call a conversation, a match-making process where the hiring manager would like to know and vice versa, you would like to know them, is about your presence in the room.

How you connect with people, what energy you transmit, your body language, and your voice matter more than anything else. Being authentic and confident in yourself is the magic wand now. And it is okay if you don’t know all the answers to the questions; you admit and find the best solution. That’s all. It is about the intention, the attempt to provide your solution in your own words.

What can you do today?

Whether you have a degree or diploma, you can position yourself in the job market. Here is how:

Build your portfolio of outcomes: Don’t tell; show. Show your designs, achievements, writing samples, and artwork.
Upskill strategically: Focus on industry trends and choose your training program accordingly.
Network intentionally: Relationships open more doors than a CV, and it is proven that 80% of jobs go undercover. And those who know me know that I am a master in networking. Network like a champion in a marathon. This is not a sprint.
Practice storytelling: This is the magical way to articulate your strengths. Share your experiences in a nonjudgmental fashion. I call it the STAR model.
Stay curious: Lifelong learners surpass anyone relying solely on past experiences and certifications.

And my final 5 cents

Degrees can open doors, but abilities keep them open.

The future belongs to humans who are adaptable, creative, and analytical thinkers who continuously learn and improve their skills in their jobs and in their lives.

Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone starting from scratch, remember this: you are more than your CV. Your skills, your mindset, your resilience—that’s your real capital.

Always remember, you are more than your degree or your title. You are a human who has unique full potential. Therefore, personal branding is key and the first step towards your professional journey to start and stay afloat.