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[forum admin]

Four in five employers look for interpersonal skills, confidence and enthusiasm over an academic degree or business acumen, according to research from global accounting network RSM International and the European Business Awards.

The survey also shows when hiring entry-level graduates, 81% say the most important characteristics were confidence, enthusiasm and an entrepreneurial spirit. In contrast, just 20% cited a good academic degree and business acumen as most important.

The survey was completed by more than 500 European business leaders from 32 European countries. 

Source: Recruiter

[Malcolm]

If true this is encouraging I think!

[Jasper9]

Well I have a degree!  perhaps employers no longer want the best people, choosing those that will not be after their own jobs in a  few years.
Degrees in my day = intelligence.
Interpersonal skills my arse!  Only salesmen need them.  Its business!

[Bob]

Degrees still mean something though. Maybe less than they did but I wish I had one.

[Jason]

There are three types of degrees, useful ones, academic ones and useless ones.

A degree doesn't necessarily mean someone is intellignet but can show a degree of ability to learn.

A degree in something skilled is going to be looked upon very favourably against a "qualified by experience" person, rightly or wrongly.

It depends in the position being recruited as to whether it matters if someone is academically qualified or not.

[Jasper9]

If you arent intelligent you aint gonna get a degree - not even one from a "University of"  ex poly!

Doing a degree and living away from home grows a person.

[Jason]

Doing a degree and living away from home grows a person.

It can do, it can also prove that some people are incapable of growing up.

I said "necesarily", you can get a degree and not be particularly intelligent.  Common Sense is not a requirement of many degree courses.

[Jasper9]

Doing a degree teaches a person how to think & how to problem solve.

If you are not intelligent you wont get a University degree.

If you confuse "common sense" with "intelligence" it kind of proves my point.
QED  (that's Latin, if you had a degree you would know what it means!)

[Gota]

Surely that depends what the degree is in?

A degree in photography probably wouldn't teach one how to problem solve.

Except perhaps that more people in the UK graduate each year with photography degrees than all of Europe needs photographers each year.

Now that's a problem.

[Jason]

Doing a degree teaches a person how to think & how to problem solve.

If you are not intelligent you wont get a University degree.

If you confuse "common sense" with "intelligence" it kind of proves my point.
QED  (that's Latin, if you had a degree you would know what it means!)

You should learn some critical thinking skills.  You may then learn about strawman arguments.  Then perhaps a course in diplomacy and good grace, with a sprinkling of good humour.

Defining intelligence is difficult http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence

Critical Thinking for beginners: http://www.criticalreading.com/critical_thinking.htm

[Jasper9]

I would say something witty in response but I know you just wouldnt understand.

[Jason]

I would say something witty in response but I know you just wouldnt understand.

try me.

You could have pointed out that you didn't use a strawman, just an ad hom.

Have a good day, I hope you cheer up.

[Jonathan]

hey chaps let's be friends.

[Gota]

Indeed. What he said.

[Jason]

when was the first time?

Do you mean disagreeing with you?

or maybe you don't mean me!

What's up Jasper?