Education or experience: what do employers value most?

Knowing how to kickstart your career can be tricky. If you’re entering the world of work for the first time, or thinking about a new career, it’s worth knowing whether experience is more important than education, or vice versa. In this article, we explore the benefits that education and experience have on your CV, as well as outlining their importance to employers.

4 mins read
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10 May, 2025

The ‘education vs experience’ debate has been a hot topic of conversation within recruitment for years. While there is no definitive answer to which is more appropriate or sought after, when looking to bolster your CV, you want to make sure you highlight your relevant education and experiences.

As apprenticeships, internships and work placements continue to grow and become more accessible and available, you may be wondering if being qualified at degree level is really that important. That said, you want to prove to potential employers that you are the top candidate for their role, so it's useful to learn what employers most care about in jobseekers.

So, is work experience becoming the desired preference for employers, or do qualifications still highlight the best candidate?

Education or experience: is there a right answer?

Choosing either to concentrate on your education or gain relevant experience early on has its advantages and disadvantages.

For many years, education has been touted as the main steppingstone that leads to a successful career. But this really depends on where you are in your chosen career, the industry that you are in and the requirements of your profession.

When considering your next career move, it’s important to do some initial research into both avenues and determine the qualities that employers are looking for in your chosen profession. Every employer is different, so it can actually be down to the preferences of the person hiring you.

In some cases, you’ll be able to land a role without meeting all of the requirements in the job description if you have something else of value to offer, such as transferable skills, real-life experiences or a passion and desire to succeed.

The necessity of education

More often than not, a lot can be revealed about a person through their qualifications. Furthering your education to a high level can help illustrate your ability to learn at depth and speed, making you desirable to employers.

According to the Annual Population Survey, people who have no qualifications have an employment rate of 47%. This jumps to 72% for people with qualifications at Level 2; 83% at Level 3; and 87% at Level 4 and above.

Many high-level roles and certain industries require a strong educational background to qualify for the job. In sectors such as accounting, education, engineering and law, being educated to degree level is highly beneficial and can often be a requirement outlined in the person specification.

In the current jobs market, educated graduates are in high demand and it looks set to remain that way for the foreseeable future. Many employers will look at an applicant’s education and see a person who has the ability to learn complex subject matters and, where degrees are concerned, have the staying power to study for a lengthy period of time.

If you’re looking to enter a sector where a high education is desirable, outline the options available that will help you appeal to employers – including degrees, apprenticeships and further education courses.

The value of experience

Proven experience goes a long way to showcasing your ability for a role. If you have worked in an industry before, this previous experience may signify to an employer that you can do the job required.

Having relevant experience also helps individuals to develop new perspectives and learn vocational skills that are fully transferable within the workplace. Having workplace experience can also develop desirable skills such as problem solving, communication, and people management – demonstrating to employers that you can work effectively and efficiently within a team.

Experience is highly valued since it indicates that you are familiar with the latest workplace trends, technologies, and practices in your relevant industry. As much as hard skills are essential, certain soft skills relevant to all industries are needed for entry-level jobs. Having a previous role can help enhance your interpersonal, communication and adaptability skills that employers often look for in potential employees.

A healthy blend of the two

Unfortunately, attaining your dream job is not quite as straightforward as education or experience. A survey by Universum found that 58% of leading employers value work experience among graduates more than grades or the name of their university.

If you’re worrying about which career path to start out on – university or job – you can gain both skill sets whichever you choose. It’s important to remember that you can always go back to university or retrain in a different profession later in life.

If you’re already in the workplace, many employers will give you time to study for industry qualifications as part of a continued professional development (CPD) plan. This has become even easier recently thanks to advances in remote learning technology post-pandemic.

Most employers want to see and hear of theoretical and practical skills from candidates during job interviews, but you can gain both from education and experience. A healthy blend of education and experience will set you in good stead when it comes to changing, adapting, or starting a new career.

Looking to take the next step in your career? Send us your CV and find out how we can help you secure your next role.

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Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?
5 mins read

Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?

​​​What is universal basic income?

Universal basic income (UBI) is a system in which every adult receives a set amount of money on a regular basis. This payment is unconditional, meaning it does not depend on the recipient's income, employment status, or any other criterion.

Universal– to everyone

Basic– to cover everyday expenses

Income– regularly, for people to spend how they wish.

UBI has been an interesting and controversial topic of conversation over the past few years, with various trials and studies conducted to evaluate its potential impact. While we may be a long way off from this being considered in reality, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of introducing this concept.

Pros of universal basic income

Reduce poverty

One of the main arguments in favour of UBI is its potential to reduce poverty and economic inequality. A 2022 study by the University of York found that a UBI model could cut poverty by more than half. This would be achieved through tax adjustments and guaranteed weekly payments, providing a stable income for everyone. This stability could lead to a more robust economy, increased consumer spending, more job opportunities, and a healthier market overall.

Increased consumer spending

With more disposable income, people would likely spend more, stimulating demand for goods and services and benefiting businesses across various sectors. This increased spending could also lead to higher tax revenues, which could be reinvested into public services and infrastructure.

Empowering workers

UBI would offer a safety net, reducing the pressure on individuals to accept low-paying or precarious jobs. This could lead to higher job satisfaction and productivity, as people would be more likely to pursue jobs that align with their interests.

Improve workplace conditions

It would also encourage businesses to enhance their working conditions by shifting the power dynamic to the employees. With a guaranteed income, workers would no longer be compelled to stay in jobs solely for financial reasons, allowing them the freedom to leave roles with poor working conditions.

This shift in bargaining power would encourage employers to enhance job quality, offer higher wages, and create more supportive work environments to attract and retain employees. Consequently, businesses might need to implement more employee-focused policies, such as flexible working, improved benefits, and a stronger emphasis on work-life balance, to stay competitive in the labour market.

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Many people hesitate to start their own businesses due to fear of failure and financial risks. However, UBI could provide the financial stability needed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, potentially resulting in economic growth for the country. This could lead to the creation of new industries and job opportunities, further boosting the economy.

Foster education and societal benefits

Having a steady income would encourage more individuals to pursue further education and training, culminating in a more educated and skilled population. This increase in educational attainment can have numerous positive effects on society, including:

Higher civic engagement: an educated population is more likely to participate in civic activities such as voting, volunteering, and community involvement, fostering a stronger democratic process and community cohesion.

Enhanced critical thinking and creativity: education cultivates critical thinking and creativity, which are essential for technological innovation and economic growth.

Reduction in poverty and inequality: education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. By providing individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure better-paying jobs, UBI can help reduce income inequality and improve overall economic stability.

Improved public health: educated individuals are more likely to make informed health choices, meaning lower rates of chronic diseases and improved overall public health.

Cons of universal basic income

High cost

Implementing UBI would be extremely expensive, requiring significant tax increases and reallocation of public spending. While it's challenging to estimate the exact cost, one analysis projected a gross cost of 555 billion – which includes the UBI payments themselves as well as the cost of integrating it into the existing tax and benefits system. Therefore, many critics argue that for this reason, UBI is not sustainable or even feasible.

Decreased motivation to work

Critics argue that UBI could reduce people's incentives to work, prompting higher unemployment rates. They fear that with a guaranteed income, people might choose to work fewer hours or not at all. If this were the case, higher unemployment rates could negatively impact economic growth due to less taxable income.

Those who do continue working while receiving UBI might be less motivated to perform at their best. With their basic financial needs met by UBI, the urgency to excel and advance in their careers could diminish and we could see reduced effort and productivity.

Challenges for low-wage industries

Industries relying on low-wage labour might face increased wage demands, as workers with a financial safety net might be less willing to accept low-paying jobs. This could cause higher operational costs and potentially drive businesses to automate more processes.

Inflation

Increased disposable income could generate higher spending, driving up demand and prices, resulting in inflation. This could erode the purchasing power of the UBI payments, potentially negating some of the benefits.

Potential inequality

While UBI aims to reduce poverty and inequality, some argue that providing the same payment to everyone wouldn't solve inequality but merely shift the goalposts. Critics suggest that a more targeted approach might be necessary to address the specific needs of different groups within society.

The debate around UBI is far from settled, and its implementation would require careful consideration and robust policy design. As we move forward, it's important to engage in thoughtful discussions, consider diverse perspectives, and explore pilot programmes to better understand UBI's real-world impacts.

Ultimately, the question remains: can UBI be the transformative solution we need to fix the unstable labour market, or will it prove too costly and complex?

If you are looking for a talented professional to join your team, or seeking a new employment opportunity yourself, get in touch with a specialist consultant today.

How to fight economic inactivity
1 mins read

How to fight economic inactivity

​It was recently my turn to pick up the pen and contribute to City AM’s ‘The Note Book’.

I chose to write about the issue of economic inactivity and to focus on ways to encourage younger people into the workforce and ways to incentivise older workers to work for longer.

My thinking is that this will encourage the highly paid and highly skilled to work up until retirement age rather than choosing, as many do, to retire early.

And my estimation is that this would result in more, not less, tax being collected and collected sooner because these individuals are frequently higher rate taxpayers who will typically find ways to avoid inheritance tax in the extra spare time they have after they’ve taken early retirement.

Instead, these highly capable higher rate tax payers will be incentivised to continue to contribute to the growth of their organisations and the wider economy and consequently to the exchequer as well.

One for the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) to grapple with perhaps… but I’ve no idea how you’d model such an idea. Sometimes it’s just better to give things a go!

And if you do get a chance to see the play ‘A View from The Bridge’, you should go. It’s a precious thing - a brilliant play, brilliantly acted!

Click here to read the article.

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals
2 mins read

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals

​​Whether you are a sales executive, supplier relationship manager or field sales consultant, use our free template to build your perfect sales CV today.

[Full Name]
[Home address]
[Contact Number] • [Email Address]

Personal Statement

Use this section of your CV to highlight the skills that would be transferable in a sales environment e.g. questioning and listening, tenacity, resilience and the ability to think on your feet. It’s also a good idea to include a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Sales professionals are target driven and financially motivated, so don't forget to highlight and "sell" yourself.

Try to avoid statements such as "I work well as part of a team and on my own initiative" or "I can communicate at all levels" - the majority of CVs contain these statements. CVs that show creativity stand out in sales.

Education

A relevant degree, for example Business Studies will give you a great start, but many degrees have a sales element, e.g. Psychology - understanding people, Engineering - problem solving, Law - negotiation skills etc.

It is important to present your education in a way that identifies you as a sales person.

In some sales positions experience trumps education, so if you don’t have a glittering academic record, make sure you elaborate on your experience.

[College/School Name]
[Date M/Y– Date M/Y]

A-levels:

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

GCSEs:

  • [Number] GCSEs, grades [range], including Maths and English

Work Experience

This should be brief and, as a general rule of thumb, focus on the last five years of your career, or last three roles, in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Highlight your key achievements, and aim to use bullet points rather than lengthy descriptions.

[Job Title], [Company Name] [Location]
[Date M/Y- Date M/Y]

Achievements and responsibilities:

  • Brief role overview

  • Worked alongside [team] to produce [project]

  • Implemented [change] which resulted in [benefit]

  • Received an [award name] for [reason]

Hobbies and Interests

This section is not essential, but can be a good opportunity to reinforce your application, and show a future employer what motivates you outside of work.

Don’t just say that you ‘like to socialise’ be specific, and don’t be afraid to share your successes. If you can put a sales slant on this part of your CV too, even better.

I’ve completed a marathon for [charity]

I negotiated my away across [country] on a budget, working as I went

References

References are available upon request.

Download our full sales CV template.