In this weirdest-of-all-possible-weird employment climates, a number of clients and prospects have reached out to ask about the need for additional education or credentials. I want to talk about this today in a way that, hopefully, will make it obvious for you to know the answer for yourself.

A reminder that I offer a monthly job search Masterclass, held on the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The topic is different each month, and I jam-pack them full of content.

To learn about the next webinar: https://mastercoachwebinars.carrd.com

The pendulum is swinging in terms of education. Because employers are finding it difficult to fill many positions, they are increasingly looking more broadly for candidates. In some cases, this means candidates who don’t have what would have previously been considered required education and/or credentials.

Of course, attorneys still need to be JDs, engineers still need an engineering degree, etc. But roles that may have required a bachelor’s degree in the past are often allowing substitution of experience for education.

The people who reach out to me with this question are often doing so because their job search has been ineffective thus far. With these individuals, I ask specific questions to determine whether their job search – rather than their credentials – is at fault, and often the answer is yes.

When we aren’t getting responses to our applications, our natural tendency is to look for the reason. Some people will start to tweak their resume, others will apply to more positions (going for quantity over quality); still others will seek out courses or degrees as the solutions.

Here’s what I tell people to do: Find 8-10 job postings that you are interested in or have already applied for. What are these positions requiring or preferring in terms of education and credentials? Which of these do you have, and where are you falling short?

This research takes you out of guessing and into the facts. If you still aren’t sure, consider talking to hiring managers within your network to get the answers you need.

For many employers, just beginning a credential is sufficient, so make sure you put it on your resume. Even if you have signed up for a program but not yet started, it should be on your resume.

If the shortfall is in a formal degree, of course this is a longer-term commitment of both time and money. Rather than starting a degree program, consider getting a job at a place that will financially support your additional education.

A final word on this topic: networking is always important in the job search, and even more so when you are lacking a credential widely required for the position. When you are having a conversation about your fit with the organization, especially if there is no position posted for the world to see, you substantially increase your chance of the employer being interested in you despite your shortcoming.

Are you in the wrong job that chips away at you every day? The CareerSpring document and coaching program will help you find a job that uses your zone of genius, recognizes your value, and pays you what you’re worth.

If you’re ready to take your job search to the next level by working with a highly experienced professional with a track record of client success, schedule a complimentary consult to learn more: 

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