Experience > Theory? What Today’s Hiring Managers Really Want
For years, academic achievement was a fast pass into professional roles. A good degree, a strong transcript, and a few references. The door was open.
But in 2025, that door is no longer automatic.
Across the industries we recruit into, employers are asking a different kind of question. It’s no longer just What have they studied? It’s What have they done?
That shift matters, especially for early career professionals and those with generalist qualifications.
A Degree Gets You Seen. Experience Gets You Hired
It’s not that education has lost its value. It’s just no longer the whole story.
During employer briefings, the conversation quickly moves past qualifications. Hiring managers want proof of capability. They want to know what kind of work you’ve delivered, how you collaborated, and whether you’ve solved problems that look anything like the ones in their business.
More often than not, we’re asked a version of the same question:
“Can they hit the ground running?”
That’s where real-world experience makes the difference. Case studies. Side projects. Internships. Volunteer work. Industry bootcamps. They all count if they’re visible
What Counts as Experience
If you’ve ever thought, “But I haven’t had a proper job in the field yet,” you’re not alone. Many qualified professionals feel blocked because they’re measuring themselves against full-time roles or long-term employment.
But employers are more flexible than you might think. They just need context.
Here’s what you can include:
- Internship projects
What problem did you help solve? What tools or methods did you use? What was the outcome? - Freelance or volunteer work
Designed a website? Built a dashboard? Supported a nonprofit with process improvements? Say so and show the result. - Hackathons, bootcamps or short courses with applied work
Don’t just list the name. Talk about the outputs. Did you develop a concept? Analyse data? Present findings? - Personal or passion projects
Built an app? Created a report? Developed a sustainability tracker? If it’s relevant to the kind of roles you want, include it.
When we coach candidates, we often find their most valuable experience is hiding in plain sight. It’s in that capstone project, that group case study or the self-taught skill they’ve quietly mastered in their own time.
Make It Count: How to Present Experience Effectively
Hiring managers don’t have time to interpret vague descriptions. They want clear, relevant examples of how you think and what you can deliver.
Here’s how to make that easier:
- Use bullet points that focus on outcomes
Instead of: “Worked on marketing strategy”
Try: “Helped develop a social media content plan that increased engagement by 20 per cent during internship” - Link to portfolios, GitHubs or visuals where possible
Show, don’t just tell. If your work lives online, include a link. - Tailor examples to the role you’re applying for
Pull forward the most relevant projects. Leave out what doesn’t translate. - Back it up with context
What was the brief? Who did you work with? How did your input make a difference?
Experience Signals Adaptability
n a changing job market, it’s not just about what you’ve done. It’s about how quickly you can learn, adapt and deliver in real world conditions.
That’s what today’s employers are trying to measure. And that’s what candidates need to highlight.
Because in the current hiring landscape, it’s not always the person with the most letters after their name who lands the job. It’s the one who can show how they’ve turned knowledge into action.