Will It Get You A Job?

There is a certain charm and fascination for foreign degrees, but what is the scope of employment post these qualifications? Khushboo Rajput finds out.

- Khushboo Rajput

If degrees and qualifications guaranteed jobs, much fewer Indians would be on the unemployment list. The reality today is that jobs are scarce and just a degree is no longer enough. The highly competitive corporate world is always looking for bright, talented and up-to-date hirees. In a globally connected world, there is little room to learn something tomorrow, when it is available today. Organisations are looking for recruits who are not only qualified, but also have that extra edge in them. The extra edge these days refers to an international exposure—be it with studies or experience.

There is a rising demand in certain sectors, where the need of the hour is to employ people with international exposure. The wide number of youngsters seeking jobs is on the rise, and herein comes an international internship or exchange program and experience.

“For any job in India, students compete with peers from both Indian and foreign universities. The degree on its own is not the differentiator, unless it is one of Ivy League foreign universities,” says Neeti Sharma, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services.

Recruiters, depending on the sector they represent, are looking for students with a unique blend of international and Indian outlook. For instance, the services industry, say hospitality or back-end operations of large global financial services are looking for recruits who have the right exposure to adjust quickly into their organisations. “Prospective employers want people who can meet the demands of the job. Recruitment is based on a prospective candidate’s exposure to the latest industry trends and relevant skills, apart from experience,” feels Vibha Kagzi, Founder and CEO, ReachIvy.com

Job clincher