Why Portfolios Are the New Degrees in Today’s Job Market
Employers Are Dropping Degree Requirements—in Favor of Demonstrated Skills
A recent feature in The Times highlights a global trend: companies like IBM, Google, Accenture, Kellogg’s, and Siemens are eliminating degree requirements, focusing instead on practical competence and portfolio work. Between 2021 to 2024, LinkedIn reported a 14.2% increase in job postings not requiring degrees, and nearly half of UK employers no longer view degrees as essential.
In the UK, Neal Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger chose to scrap degree requirements altogether, saying “it takes away the paper ceiling” and allows talented candidates to shine based on real-world ability, not academic pedigree.
Portfolios Provide Tangible Proof of Skills—and Employers Notice
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Capella University explains that portfolios let candidates “show, not just tell” what they can do by providing solid examples of their work theijep.com+15capella.edu+15indeed.com+15.
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A study in the Journal of Work‑Applied Management found 98% of employers using e‑portfolios say they assist both applicant and hiring decisions researchgate.net+1apuedge.com+1.
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Clemson University research revealed that students with purposeful e‑portfolio training performed significantly better in interviews than peers without them theijep.com.
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Indeed advises that portfolios are “an excellent way to present your work and display the skills that qualify you” for a position sciencedirect.com+15indeed.com+15sciencedirect.com+15.
These findings show that portfolios not only demonstrate technical ability but also improve communication, confidence, and alignment with role expectations.
How Be‑Edge’s “Strategize and Build Your Portfolio” Delivers impact
Be‑Edge’s course Strategize and Build Your Portfolio is designed to guide you through precisely the kind of skill-based showcase that today’s employers value:
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Strategic project selection: focuses on real client problems relevant to your field.
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Process documentation: from challenge identification to iterative design and delivery.
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Outcome evidence: includes metrics, user feedback, and client testimonials.
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Refined presentation: converting raw work into a compelling narrative that aligns with hiring criteria.
Through this approach, Be‑Edge turns a portfolio into your most persuasive argument showcasing what you’ve done, not just where you studied.
Degrees open doors, but portfolios get you in and keep you there.
With employers increasingly dropping degree requirements and prioritizing demonstrable skill, portfolios backed by real client outcomes offer instant credibility.
Be‑Edge’s course equips you with the tools and strategy to build exactly that turning education into impactful, job‑ready proof of your abilities.
Let me know if you’d like a LinkedIn‑optimized version or tips on positioning this in your website or resume!
Sources
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The Times (UK), 2024 – “UK employers are scrapping degree requirements”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-employers-are-dropping-degree-requirements -
LinkedIn Economic Graph, 2023 – “Skills-First Hiring Report”
https://economicgraph.linkedin.com/research/skills-first -
Capella University – “The Power of a Career Portfolio”
https://www.capella.edu/blogs/cublog/the-power-of-a-career-portfolio -
Clemson University – “Digital Portfolio Use in Career Development and Student Success”
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/3170 -
Journal of Work-Applied Management, 2020 – “Employer views on the value of e-portfolios in graduate recruitment”
https://doi.org/10.1108/JWAM-04-2020-0013 -
Indeed Career Guide – “How to Create a Portfolio for a Job Interview”
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/portfolio-for-job-interview -
Harvard Business Review – “Your Company Needs a Digital Skills Strategy”
https://hbr.org/2023/01/your-company-needs-a-digital-skills-strategy -
Forbes, 2022 – “Why Portfolios Are the Future of Hiring”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2022/10/24/why-portfolios-are-the-future-of-hiring/
