Five Things That Outshine a University Degree on Your CV

With the job market becoming more competitive, having a degree on your CV no longer guarantees that you will land your dream job.

Why?

There are thousands of candidates with plenty of degrees and qualifications in the same field as others, making it a bit tricky for employers to pick the right candidate. Hence they are now paying attention to other things such as skills, experiences, and achievements that can make you stand out.

Do you want to learn more about this? Then you are in the right place. I will walk you through the five crucial things that outshine a degree on your CV.

Come on! Let’s get started!

5 Things That Matters Most On Your CV Rather Than A Degree

While I am not saying that your degree is irrelevant to the CV, there are five other things that matter the most including the skills, experiences, achievements, etc. They can make you stand out among the other candidates, showing the employers why you are the perfect fit.

Hence, make sure to pay attention to these five important things:

1. Relevant Work Experience

When hiring, employers want to make sure that they can face the challenges of the workplace and make an immediate impact with their expertise.

Hence while having a degree can show that you have completed education in a particular field, relevant work experience lays the foundation. Furthermore, it shows that you know how to apply theory to real world scenarios. It even highlights what you bring to the table.

Therefore when creating a CV, talk about your work experiences. Here is what you must include:

1. Internships

2. Volunteer Work

3. Long-Term Projects

4. Part-time Jobs

Having them on your CV shows how serious you are about the role. Also, it shows you have skills like problem-solving, creativity, etc.

2. Skills and Certifications

In today’s corporate world, it is more important to have relevant skills and certifications than ever before. The hiring managers need someone with the potential to handle different projects and be adaptable.

Additionally, industry-centric skills increase your chances of landing the dream interview compared to those with just a degree.

Hence when creating a CV, include both hard and soft skills. For example, you can say:

1. Completed Digital marketing certifications

2. Have expertise in programming languages like Java Script.

3. Cloud computing certifications

A Pro Tip: Always create a balance between hard and soft skills. Furthermore, it is better to talk about industry-related topics. Also if you face any problems, consider seeking guidance from the best CV Writing Service UK. Whether writing the certifications or highlighting transferable skills, they can help your CV stand out.

3. Online Presence

We are living in a digital era, which means having an online presence is no longer a requirement. It has become a necessity especially when searching for jobs.

Building a personal brand shows that not only are you tech-savvy but it also reduces the risk of ageism. It even highlights your proactive skills.

Now, How can you create an online presence that outshines your degree?

Well, here is what you can do:

1. Create a solid LinkedIn profile or personal website

2. Share your work, blogs, and other valuable content

3. Connect with other industry experts and colleagues

4. Leadership Experience

When hiring, employers often look for candidates with potential leadership abilities. They want to know that your skills go beyond a university degree. Furthermore, it shows that you can take charge, inspire others, and make a positive impact.

Therefore, you should always include your leadership or volunteer experience. Whether you were a club member in school, did a volunteer project, or participated in fundraisers, use different examples to demonstrate your skills.

5. Personal Projects

Another thing that outshines your degree on the CV is your personal projects. They show that you have a knack for creativity. Furthermore, it demonstrates your passion for the field.

Also talking about the projects helps employers know you are ready to take on new challenges.

Hence, you should always talk about personal projects, such as creating a website for school projects or writing blogs for clients as a freelancer.

Wrapping Up!

Having a university degree is a critical factor in the hiring process. However, it no longer determines whether you will land a job. Instead, other things like relevant work experience, online presence, leadership skills, certifications, and personal projects can outshine the degree on your resume. Hence when creating a CV, focus on these five pillars to impress the managers and land your favourite job.