How to land a good job in a world where CVs and degrees don’t matter as much

LINKEDIN passed its 20-year mark in May and as I reflect on the company’s journey, I’m struck by the remarkable transformation that has occurred in the way we search for jobs. I vividly recall my own experiences, from landing my first job at Dun & Bradstreet through a newspaper ad to finding my way to LinkedIn years later — through my LinkedIn network!

When my contact asked if I’d consider working for LinkedIn then, I initially declined. I wasn’t looking to move and taking the leap to join a “young” tech company seemed too risky. However, that initial invitation piqued my interest and I decided to do my research, including reading LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman’s book The Start-up of You. What Hoffman said about being in “permanent beta” – which is the idea that we are all works in progress, and we should treat every failure as immediate feedback on what’s working and what’s not – sparked something in me. It helped me change my perspective from one of fear of the potential risk to excitement for the opportunity to be challenged and grow.

Looking back, it was one of my best career decisions. I also realise how lucky I was to be connected to the right person on LinkedIn. Landing a job through a connection is a far cry from relying on scanning classifieds, circling promising opportunities with a pen, and mailing out printed curriculum vitaes (CVs) – a slow and often frustrating process. In this regard, even though I do say so myself, I am of the view that LinkedIn has completely disrupted the traditional approach and changed the way professionals connect and find jobs. With platforms like LinkedIn, you don’t even have to be actively looking for a job to get a great offer.

After a decade at LinkedIn and with tech disruption, a global health crisis and economic uncertainty upending how and why we work, I’m convinced more than ever about three things:

1. The route to good opportunities leads far beyond a good resume

Job seekers need to go beyond a good CV to land opportunities. To do that, a combination of two elements are important – quality connections, and a focus on skills.

While having a good CV is still important, it’s no longer enough.

A CV is typically a summary of where you went to school and what jobs you’ve had; it only says so much about you. LinkedIn has, in a big way, handed professionals the power to brand themselves more effectively. They can present their skills, values, and professional knowledge in a dynamic way, reaching an audience that may not ever even see the actual document.

2. One good connection is better than 20 contacts

As with my personal story, our connections can open doors to unexpected opportunities and be a source of inspiration and knowledge. More doesn’t necessarily mean better, by the way – what’s more important, and arguably tougher, is nurturing genuine and meaningful connections across industries, continents, and cultures.

3. A degree or diploma doesn’t guarantee a job – you need the right skills

With the labour market becoming increasingly competitive and dynamic, it looks clear that having educational qualifications is no longer a lock for employment – even if a degree or diploma does open some doors.

LinkedIn data show that since 2015, skills for the same role have changed by 24 per cent globally. In Singapore, we are seeing an even higher pace of change at 36 per cent. This means that job requirements are changing quickly and workers must keep learning to stay competitive and adopt a growth mindset.

Companies are also starting to prioritise skills over pedigree — degrees and even past work experience, by the way — when hiring; at least 45 per cent of hirers today use skills data to fill their roles.

By continually honing your skills and expanding your knowledge base, you can position yourself as a standout talent in the workforce. And it’s important to remember that personal growth is not just for professionals in the early stages of their careers, but is a lifelong endeavour.

I approach the world with curiosity and love the challenge of learning new things – from generative AI to singing! In my own experience, acquiring skills has helped me be more confident and well-rounded as an individual, and more creative and effective as a professional.

Fluidity and flexibility, the new norms at the workplace

Looking ahead, the future of work promises to be even more transformative. The changes brought on by tech innovations, cultural shifts and the pandemic have spurred different attitudes and ways of working. In the past, climbing the corporate ladder, job stability and salary may have been seen as the ultimate career goals. They were definitely mine when I graduated! Today, work is more fluid and non-linear as people exercise more agency over their careers, and taking breaks are increasingly normalised.

After the freedoms afforded by remote work, people don’t want to go back to sitting in an office every day from 9 to 5. In fact, globally and in the Asia-Pacific, “flexibility” is now one of the top three priorities for employees when considering what they want out of work.

Culture and values over pay

A company’s culture and values are also increasingly important to professionals today as compared to 20 years ago. I experience this first hand when talking to my children and younger colleagues, and recent LinkedIn research confirms it — 77 per cent of professionals in Singapore say they want to work for companies that align with their values, and 68 per cent say they would prioritise values over salary.

Although the world of work will continue to be dynamic, I believe that professionals who develop their skills and build their networks, and job seekers who go beyond their CVs, will certainly successfully navigate and land the opportunities that are meaningful to them.

The writer is managing director for Apac at LinkedIn