As Forbes stated, new collar jobs are lines of work in technology acquired via nontraditional educational paths. With this, more and more people are upskilling themselves and transitioning into new careers.  

The new collar job market is an excellent opportunity for those who want to make their mark in the labor market. It eliminates a degree as a job requirement, yet it still offers a chance to gain valuable experience through various training programs and certifications.   

In the world of new collar jobs, there are many opportunities for placement in an entry-level position. But how do you factor in academic degrees? Formal education has been the former standard before landing a profession, but should experience be hailed as king today?  

With recent discussions focused on employees’ experience, it is vital to know what is happening. This article will present all the points you need to know about new collar jobs.  

Is Experience Better Than a Degree?

Having both will give you an advantage over someone who only has one or neither of these things going for them. However, if social status and the current pandemic counts themselves in and you have to pick just one, the experience will show itself better than degrees.  

In today’s job market, a degree alone is not enough. This is especially true in the tech field. It can be tempting to go straight from college to a big company with a cool job title and a big benefits package, but there are better ways to find success. Experience is far more important than a degree in career advancement.  

If you compare college degrees vs. skills, you will find skills and experience triumphing over formal education. Employers will more likely dismiss your application if you have a degree in computer science but need to learn how to program or make websites. This is because they think you need more than your education to qualify you to have the necessary abilities for the job.   

However, suppose you can show them examples of where you are responsible for implementing a particular piece of software (e.g., code). In that case, this could help convince them that there is more substance than the “good grades” other candidates are showing.   

You can look at Harvard Business Review’s article to exhibit the importance of skills over degrees. From 2017 to 2019, high-skill positions such as IT and managerial work lowered educational requirements by 31 percent. To compensate for this reduction in degree requirements, the same employers focused more on skills and competencies demonstrated by candidates.   

To add up, statistics compiled by Zety showed that 91 percent of hiring managers want their future employees to have work experience, with 65 percent wanting to have work experience relevant to the available position. This is one specific requirement you cannot gain right after finishing a college degree, and you would have to spend time working in organizations to attain it.   

How Can You Stay Ahead?  

If you have a good understanding of what you want to do with your career and are willing to put in the time and effort, these are ways for you to stay ahead even without having a degree.  

1. Focus on your skills.  

Before applying for jobs, ensure that any work experience or training-related activities contribute directly towards meeting the criteria listed on an employer’s application form. To be precise, you can include your abilities using MS Office software or Canva.  

Highlight your skills and let your personality carry you through the onboarding process. This way, you enjoy the process of getting hired, find a way to help solve the skilled labor shortage, and at the same time, help yourself improve with whatever feedback you will receive.  

2. Be persistent.  

As cliché as it sounds, do not give up when rejected.   

Improve already present skills. Acquire new ones with free training and certifying exams. Keep sending resumes until something opens. Ask for advice from your social circle who have experienced working at companies similar to yours so that they can give some insight into whether or not openings are available within those companies’ departments.  

You would be surprised that the next job you will try on will be the one that will open for you. Just believe in yourself and persist.   

Should You Change Your Resume?  

Since focusing on skills is already mentioned, the preliminary way to present this is via resumes. This file will be one of your most valuable tools as a job seeker. If you use the traditional template, your resume may transform into a stumbling block. But if you use resumes optimally, it can help you stand out from your competitors and help get you the job you want.  

Often, resumes are two-page answers to job requirements such as educational attainment and work experience. This may give you a losing point if you lack a degree. But with the shift towards skill-based hiring, it will benefit you more if you change your resume to emphasize your skills and work experience without sounding fake or over-the-top.  

Here are some tips on how to write a good resume for new collar jobs:  

1. Highlight information relevant to available work.  

Consider what type of experience/skills/achievements would help demonstrate why someone should hire them (e.g., “I’ve worked with multiple clients on various projects”).   

Then, add those aspects to your resume as bullets under each relevant section (i.e., work experience). You could also include additional bullet points if needed!   

2. Keep your resume fresh.   

Aside from constantly updating your resume with skills you acquire, also keep in mind that employers want fresh content for every profile they read.  

If there is not enough room left at the part where you would typically list personal information, consider adding something else instead, like a logo. With this, employers can see something interesting which might catch their attention more than just text alone.  

Jobs that Do Not Require a Degree  

If you aim to acquire experience from jobs that do not require a degree, here are two examples of professions you should check out:  

1.  Graphic Designer  

As a graphic designer, you will create visual representations of ideas or concepts such as signs, advertisements, logos, and other items.  

2. Virtual Executive Secretary/ Virtual Administrative Assistant (VA)

As a virtual administrative assistant, you will support senior executives within an organization, usually via remote work setups. Tasks may include answering phone calls and emails, preparing documents, and scheduling meetings, all in the comfort of your home.  

Degree or no Degree, The Only Way Forward is to Start  

You will face different circumstances and meet various job requirements as you aim to shift to new collar jobs. However, the only way to get there is to take the first step. Not having a degree should not scare you. This should stand as a challenge that you can grow more than those who spent years in college.  

Start that online seminar you bookmarked a few weeks ago. Update your resume with your latest work experience. Start honing your skills, and gain experience again, and you will find yourself on the path toward professional growth.   

Start Now. Start with On Demand Group.  

However, having the right skills for work and the right mindset for growth can only get you so far. You may need helping hands from people who want to see you thrive in your chosen career.  

Start with us, On Demand Group. Our talent acquisition process will ensure you create lasting relationships with your employers as you pave your professional path with us. And with us, you will find doors of great opportunities opened and waiting for your arrival.  

Send us a message, and let us start your career in technology today!