Is education overrated?

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Are employers looking for degrees over and above everything? Not really, according to recent research. A study by Right Management, the talent and career management division of Manpower, reveals that organizations today prefer to hire employees who are a good fit with their existing teams and the organizations culture. During the first quarter of 2010, Right Management conducted a study of over 800 senior human resource professionals and other business leaders in North America to learn what they felt contributed to superior performance. The results? • Organizational culture/motivational fit: 31% • Interpersonal behaviors: 26% • Critical reasoning/judgment: 21% • Technical skills: 12% • Relevant experience: 11% “Immediate, on-the-job performance is so essential these days,” said Michael Haid, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions at Right Management. “New hires need to get up to speed fast and make a smooth transition into the new environment.” These findings show that, more and more frequently, companies are taking emotional intelligence into consideration. An impressive resume and a degree from an Ivy League school may be all well and good, but if you are unable to fit into the culture of an organization, you’re probably not going to succeed. So, should employees keep pursuing accelerated degrees? Is it still worth it to go to college? The answer to that is yes, but with a disclaimer. Education is always important, but you should also place an emphasis on developing deep and positive relationships and looking for opportunities to show that your values are aligned with those of your organization. You'll need them both to succeed in the workplace of the future.