Employers are asking for more from university leavers looking for work than examples of what grades they achieved, according to one expert.
Martin Pennington, director of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, suggested that scrapping the degree classification system may make it easier for bosses to assess candidates in terms of their individual’s abilities and achievements when it comes to recruitment.
He said that employers have been asking for a change that allows them and managers to better compare applicants; especially given so many individuals are leaving universities across the UK with a 2:1, which poses a problem as far as hiring a suitable person.
The Higher Education Policy Institute last week proposed replacing the current method with transcripts of modules studied and a general overview of students’ talents.
Mr Pennington added that what a potential worker does during their university course should go beyond what they do in an exam hall, library or lecture theatre and take account of opportunities grasped by a jobseeker in their spare time or extra skills developed.
What would they look at specifically beyond grades? I can imagine a few:
Work Experience
Volunteering
Society involvement
Attendance record
Do others have suggestions?
I believe with the breadth of ability wihtin various institutions 2:1’s more does need to be looked at.
GroupSpaces will be running a seminar at this years AGR conference explaining the benefits of engaging with societies. With Deloitte and Society presidents speaking. We would welcome any opinions or questions you have.