5 Things You Were Never Told About Qualifications

I suddenly realised that over the course of some different careers I picked up some things which we were never told at school (or university, or afterwards).  It's obvious when you know it, but if you don't, it may be a bit surprising.

1) GCSE results aren't important (after a few months)

The education system endlessly emphasises the importance of GCSE results.  Looking back however, I notice that my GCSE results were useful precisely twice.  The first, and most important, time was when I applied to do A-levels.  The second time was when I applied for a degree, where they pretty much confirmed my A-level results weren't a fluke.  Apart from that, how many jobs have I secured on the back of my GCSE results?  None.  (Because I did A-levels.)

2) A-level results aren't important either (after a few years)

My A-level results were useful precisely once:  when I applied for a place at university.  Had I had a job at uni (in those days you didn't have to run up massive debts and pay for your place at university) they might have been useful in helping get a student job of a certain type (ie technical / specialist positions - as a barman I don't suppose it would have made a huge difference.)

3) Your degree grade isn't important either

I got a 2:2 in my degree.  I only ever applied for a single job in which this made a difference (it was a graduate training programme at Ford, and to be honest, being denied the chance to apply because I didn't have a 2:1 was probably their loss more than mine.)  The important thing was that I had a degree;  other factors outweighed the grade considerably.

4) Your degree itself isn't important after your first job (unless you're applying for something vocational)

Certainly, having a degree was useful in securing myself my first graduate job.  However, for my second job, the important thing was:  my first job.  Having the degree was an influencing factor, but the experience I had in the field was what won me the second job.

(When I applied to do teacher training, my degree was fairly essential, because the job depended on the knowledge base I had secured.)

5) When it comes to work, your qualifications are only secondary to another, more important, thing

At what point in the interview do you actually secure the position?  Is it when they talk through the qualifications on your CV?  The experience?  Is it when they ask the daft "what's your biggest weakness" question?  Actually, by that time you're probably way too late;  the initial impression you make about the person you are is what generally secures you the job.  If the interviewer picks up that you'll fit in well, and that you're a decent person, you're 90% of the way to getting the job.  (This decision is made within the first half minute or so!)

To put it another way - do I give the job to the person who is well qualified and experienced, but who I think is a bit of a dick, or do I give the job to the person who I instinctively liked when I first started talking to them?  Actually, it's the second.  I suspect the same is often true at university interviews.

Does this mean that grades are a waste of time?  Nope.  Notice I didn't say GCSE results aren't important - I just said they're not important after a few months.

However, what's more important is the person you are and how you come across.  If you are easy to get on with, likeable, professional, confident and good with people, in many cases this will completely outweigh your qualifications throughout your professional career.