Is a pass degree worthless to employers when looking for a job?

Sfitz33 · 11-11-2015 03:48PM #1

I am in my final year of my Business and Law degree and it looks certain that I will receive a pass degree. But what I wanted to know was when I come to looking for employment will I be looked upon unfavorably in the eyes of an employer?

Thanks for your help.

11-11-2015 03:52PM

Hi OP,
Welcome to boards, I've moved your query to the Work & Jobs forum where you will get better answers. Please familiarise yourself with the charter.
Best of luck.

Snakeweasel · 11-11-2015 03:52PM

Apart from actual graduate programs, no. Even after a couple of years employers don't care if you have a first class honors degree. Just say you have a degree, don't mention the grade.

smash · 11-11-2015 03:56PM

Snakeweasel wrote: »

Apart from actual graduate programs, no. Even after a couple of years employers don't care if you have a first class honors degree. Just say you have a degree, don't mention the grade.

Not entirely true. I saw a job advertised just a few days ago where the criteria listed included "Minimum of 2.1 degree in..."

Snakeweasel · 11-11-2015 04:01PM

smash wrote: »

Not entirely true. I saw a job advertised just a few days ago where the criteria listed included "Minimum of 2.1 degree in..."

I wonder how it was phrased though? Sounds like something that would be in the "nice to have" not "need to have" area. I do a good bit of recruitment in my role and would have no experience of someone with a First performing any better than someone with a 2.2. But that's just my experience, I'm sure there's plenty who would differ!

Magico Gonzalez · 11-11-2015 04:03PM

Just get in the door somewhere, anywhere, in the career that you are interested in. Then from there on it's up to you.

Some doors will be closed off initially, competitive graduate programs etc, but you can turn it round by getting a start somewhere (this might mean being flexible with your location) and performing well. Think of it as a temporary obstacle, you get numerous second chances, all you have to do is demonstrate you are capable in a job and you'll get back on track.

No point pretending it's all champagne and roses, a pass isnt ideal.

That said my academics are not great, it's not an environment I enjoy. I have however worked for (internal and as an external consultant) lots of those prestigious companies that did not take me as a graduate due to those "not great" academic qualifications.

Some people thrive in college, some people get their motivation to succeed in a work environment.

hots · 11-11-2015 04:05PM

Sfitz33 wrote: »

I am in my final year of my Business and Law degree and it looks certain that I will receive a pass degree. But what I wanted to know was when I come to looking for employment will I be looked upon unfavorably in the eyes of an employer?

Thanks for your help.

Roles that have loads of applications definitely use degree grade as a filter (2.1 minimum often) but I would imagine roles with less demand or in smaller companies you would find it less of an issue.

Bearing in mind large companies use leaving cert results as an auto-filter (which is ridiculous really but has to be done) it only makes sense that they do the same for degrees.

Sfitz33 · 11-11-2015 04:37PM

Thanks everyone for your help anyway.

Ardeehey · 11-11-2015 04:57PM

Most places, if they expext a large amount of applications, will use the 2.1 as a cut off but if they don't get what they need then they will consider below that. I wouldn't let it stop me for applying regardless of my grade. Some companies will have HR deal with filtering applications but other will be done by the hiring manager directly and those people will generally look more indepth to a CV rather than just academics.

I have 2.2, been in my industry for 15 years and it never stopped me applying for anything and I always got an interview when I have applied for something. Now at senior mgt level.

Divisadero · 11-11-2015 05:17PM

Many employers do ask for a 2.1. However there are still employers including for example certain positions in the public sector who just ask for a degree (any degree). Also if the job market continues to improve some employers will have to adjust their expectations and drop the 2 1 requirement. So no a pass degree is not worthless and can still give you an advantage over applicants with no degree at all.

GalwayGrrrrrl · 11-11-2015 05:35PM

If you want to do a masters degree you would normally need at least a 2.1 in your bachelors degree. Most people in my line of work do a masters (in either science, managment or both) in their first few years of employment which is why the job advert would say 2.1 minimum.

GalwayGrrrrrl · 11-11-2015 05:37PM

To answer your question- education of any kind is never worthless but if there are lots of applicants you may be overlooked in favour of someone with a higher grade- sorry

professore · 11-11-2015 05:40PM

The careers of my fellow graduates (in a scientific discipline) in terms of success are almost inversely proportional to their grades - the ones with pass degrees are CEO's, top execs etc whereas the higher scoring ones are teachers, low level techies, poorly paid researchers etc.

IvoryTower · 11-11-2015 05:41PM

My last 2 employers never asked about, I imagine it becomes less and less relevant as you move up the ladder

Musicman2000 · 11-11-2015 06:48PM

IvoryTower wrote: »

My last 2 employers never asked about, I imagine it becomes less and less relevant as you move up the ladder

Never asked myself .A person with top grades could be completely rubbish at the job, bit of a ridiculous way to pick potential employees .

challengemaster · 12-11-2015 01:51AM

xfactorfan23 wrote: »

If you want to do a masters degree you would normally need at least a 2.1 in your bachelors degree. Most people in my line of work do a masters (in either science, managment or both) in their first few years of employment which is why the job advert would say 2.1 minimum.

While this is true - it's often a requirement that can be ignored if the applicant has a few years of relevant work experience.

Stheno · 12-11-2015 01:57AM

challengemaster wrote: »

While this is true - it's often a requirement that can be ignored if the applicant has a few years of relevant work experience.

Agreed, I'm doing a masters at the moment with no primary degree but my professional qualifications counted so heavily towards the masters and the subject matter, that I got 60 credits out of 180 awarded for those qualifications, and was exempted from the associated modules.

Aglomerado · 12-11-2015 09:43AM

challengemaster wrote: »

While this is true - it's often a requirement that can be ignored if the applicant has a few years of relevant work experience.

+1. I graduated with H3 on my primary degree. I went working after graduation and built up experience. I now have two Master's Degrees and hope to start a Ph.D in a couple of years.

Is a pass degree worthless to employers when looking for a job?

Comments