But The Curiosity was There! So Lets Give Them a Round of Applause.

You don’t need to go far to imagine this, just open LinkedIn and guess what pops up in the feed: either you get a perfectly polished post from a newly acclaimed writer or a new certification sharing another accolade with their network. It pretty much sums up the following scenario: in case you need this specialized skill, I’ve got it. This ofcourse doesn’t guarantee any real world experience or use-case, but the curiosity was there! So lets give them a round of applause.

We’re engulfed in a world of digital validation, where skills are measured in certificates rather than in capability. Instead of executing, doing, creating, candidates are looking for jobs! They have more time on their hands; and with this extra time they are accumulating badges left and right. And while I applaud learning and curiosity, and discovering new ways to enhance what you already know, it’s getting harder and harder to tell who can actually do the work versus who’s been collecting certificates.

I always find it interesting when hiring managers request a credential from a candidate that could basically be a professor in the sphere. Asking for a credential as a basis for an interview request that is not 100% requirement to be employed, after 15 years of demonstrated experience is pretty paradoxical. Could it be that they were to busy working at expert level, and didn’t have the time to sit down and study for another credential that they could pretty much teach. Throughout the dailies we have competing priorities for our time, whether it be family, padel, after work activities or being a foodie aficionado. When you’re wrapped in your active career, unless it directly correlates to a deliverable you are working on, most likely you are not going to sit for another badge that doesn’t impact your day.  

So is this really an active way to prove that we’re up to date, or a way to not fall away from the trends that are shaping industry. While candidates look for jobs, they want to look impressive, engaging, as if they’re one step ahead of the curve. It’s starting to look like an achievement marketplace for completion without comprehension. In theory maybe they understood the concepts, but knowledge is what fosters progress. Doing, taking actionable steps alongside a certificate would be the goal!

From a hiring perspective, next time you are looking at a candidate, try to imagine all the stories they’ve collected from their expertise. It is within those stories that they will be able to use their expertise to strategize effectively and really pivot where you need to go.

There’s a good chance that if a credential is missing from an otherwise stellar resume; they were just to busy being the best at what they do!

Enjoying Tech Trend Forward – Subscribe or Forward it to a Future Thinker like you

Advertise with Tech Trend Forward

Looking to reach forward thinking professionals, industry leaders and trendsetters? Tech Trend Forward is the place! If you’d like to advertise your business or product in front of an engaged, growth driven audience, get in touch to learn more about placements and partnerships. Send an email to [email protected]

Thank you for Reading! Let’s scale smart, deliver faster, and build something remarkable.

Annette