MENLO PARK, Calif. , Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As students head back to class this fall, they should try to obtain real-world experience, in addition to their diplomas, if they want to make the grade with employers, a Robert Half Technology survey suggests. Seventy-one percent of chief information officers (CIOs) said they prioritize skills and experience over college degrees when making hiring decisions. Another 12 percent said they place a little weight on the prestige of a job seeker's university when evaluating applicants; only 5 percent are heavily influenced by an impressive alma mater.

The survey is based on more than 2,400 telephone interviews with CIOs from a random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees in 24 major metropolitan areas. Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis.

CIOs were asked, "When evaluating a candidate for an IT position, what value do you place on the prestige of their college or university?

I place a lot of weight on university prestige

5%

I place a little weight on university prestige

12%

University prestige doesn't matter to me

12%

I place more weight on skills and experience than on whether or not a candidate attended college/university

71%

Total

100%

"A quality education provides the foundation, but IT employers want to see evidence of practical application of that knowledge," said John Reed , senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. "Job candidates with real-world IT experience can jump in and start contributing without a long ramp-up period, making them appealing to employers."

Robert Half Technology offers these four suggestions for showcasing real-word experience during a job hunt:

  1. Explain your learning process. What resources have you used to build your skills? For example, if you are a developer, are you active in any developer communities, or have you taken part in hackathons?
  2. Show off your projects. Have you designed an app? A website? A software product? Come to the interview prepared to share examples of your own work.
  3. Discuss experience earned in the 'real world.' A potential employer should hear about any relevant internships, volunteer opportunities and part-time or project work you have completed. Explain not only what you did in those roles but also how you made a difference.
  4. Shine a spotlight on your soft skills. Many employers are looking for technology professionals who can bring both technical and nontechnical skills to the job. Calling attention to communication, project management, problem-solving and similar skills could set you apart from other candidates.

About Robert Half Technology
With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support.rht.com. Follow Robert Half Technology at twitter.com/RobertHalfTech or visit our technology blog at blog.rht.com.

SOURCE Robert Half Technology

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