As you venture into the labor market with a degree, your chances of landing a well-paying job are far greater than a high school grad or undergraduate.

However, is that always the case? Do you always need to present your diploma when applying for a job?

Demystifying the dilemma

Many students think that you’ll naturally earn more with a college degree, but that’s not always the case. You can get a job, improve your hands-on skills on the job, and a whole lot of opportunities are open for you to advance your career.

Think about job positions like software development, programming, and digital marketing. These are specializations that employers may not lay particular interest on your college degree. They typically want to see your skills and track record.

With hard work and training, you can land a well-paying career without ever presenting your diploma.

But what about certain academic-oriented courses?

Instances where presenting your college diploma is crucial

Most employers naturally believe that candidates with a college degree are more job-ready than those without. They are seen to possess more mental and hands-on skills than non-graduates.

That’s why employers will likely request your degree if the information is relevant to the position for which they’re hiring. Think about positions like teaching, engineering, accountancy, healthcare, and the likes. Here, your qualifications are vital, and employers will want to verify your college diploma even though you spell it out in your resume.

What if you do not have your certificate with you?

There are situations where you face a job application but have not your college diploma in your reach. For instance, you may travel for leisure but find a company hiring during your stay.

As a graduate fresh out from college, you may also find it difficult to obtain an official transcript from your college. Whether you have lost, damaged, or are unable to access your certificate, a replacement college diploma can instantly get you out of that tight spot. You can also keep this copy for personal use and job applications and frame the original for showcasing.

If you do not have your diploma with you, it may hurt your chances of getting the job. That’s because many employers will check the education listed on your resume to confirm their validity. Not all employers go through this stress, but you have to assume they will. It becomes important to attach your qualifications alongside your resume.

Careers that particularly require a college degree

The following are fields you cannot enter without the required college degree:

• Medicine, nursing, dentistry, and related fields
• (However, you can get into an engineering field with a diploma in math, physics, material science, or other closely related disciplines)
• Sciences, such as applied sciences and related disciplines
• Veterinary medicine

Careers you can go into with just any degree

• Sales
• Advertising, public relations, and marketing
• Supply chain and logistics
• Hospitality and travel management
• Human resources
• Retail banking and insurance
• Investment management
• Publishing and media
• Teaching

You can go into most of the above fields without a college degree, but you stand a better chance if you have one, especially in a related discipline. For example, a banking job can do with a degree in business administration, accounting, or economics. You may not need to present any degree for a job position like sales.

In summary…

Applying for a job with a college diploma gives you a better chance of getting employed with a higher paycheck.

However, it would help if you always focused on sharpening your skills and presenting yourself in the best light because you face stiff competition with many other people with the same qualifications.