Job postings/specs: required or desired education

RT2 · February 2003

I had occasion today to use a couple of our office's job specifications, which are the documents from which we would construct job postings or advertisements. Half of the ones which address education say "required," the rest "desirable." There seems no rhyme nor reason to most of these--ex: not all with 'required' are positions which would legally require the education (law, medicine, other licensed professionals). I remember asking about this before the buck stopped at my desk and got a "there's a shift away from using 'required." I understand not requiring a college education for a file clerk job because of a discriminatory impact, but if one has a well-documented or at least well-supported need for a certain level of education, is there any reason to use "desired" rather than "required?"

Nick Ogden · March 2003

If the position requires the individual to do tasks that are "learned" in an academic environment, more than on the job, educational qualifications should be REQUIRED. If the job is "clerical" in nature, the tasks can usually be OJT.
The requirement for formal education may be put to the test if an applicant can show that they have comparable skills. Most employers, including our firm, has gone to "education required or comparable experience.

RT2 · March 2003

Thanks! I appreciate the response.

Dutch2 · March 2003

Ditto. We too consider years of "same work" experience to be equal to years of eduction.
Good luck,
Dutch2

Job postings/specs: required or desired education

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