Credential Evaluation for Employment

Many jobs require a minimum level of education or achievement of an academic degree. When looking for a job, it is in the applicant’s best interest to demonstrate their educational accomplishments in the best way possible to make their application or resume stand out among others. There are several reasons why employers require completion of a level of education for eligible candidates. First and foremost are the skills required to do the job. A close second are regulations that require a level of education to be registered in certain professions.

How to get a job with a high school diploma

The most common minimum academic requirements for employment in the United States is a high school diploma. There are many high-paying professions that can be entered with a high school diploma ranging from law enforcement to various trades. Some examples can be found on indeed.com. However, a “high school diploma” is an American term for the secondary school completion credential, which has many different names in foreign countries, such as a baccalaureate, a maturity certificate, etc. A simple English translation of such documents will not prove that a candidate has the equivalent of a high school diploma, which could result in disqualification from many good jobs. For this reason, a credential evaluation report can be an important asset to prove an applicant meets the academic requirements for employment.

How to get a job with a university degree

There are many professions that require post-secondary education and training. Postsecondary credentials are often called bachelor’s or master’s degrees in English-speaking countries, but international credentials do not always use this terminology. Once again, a credential evaluation is essential for internationally educated employment candidates to demonstrate that the academic equivalency and level of their degree, whether it is called a Licentiate, Magister, Benke or Zhuanke. An evaluation is more than just a translation – it identifies the academic level equivalency, providing employment opportunities that match an international applicants’ accomplishments.

How to get a government job

Government jobs are usually very competitive. Because of this, the hiring process can take longer than in private industries, and applicants are advised to pay specially attention to thoroughly preparing their documentation. Government jobs are available from municipal, state or federal organizations. International applicants are encouraged to apply as long as they are legally permitted to work in the United States. In many cases international applicants have an advantage for positions that require experience in more than one country. However, it is essential for consideration to meet all education requirements, including a proper evaluation of all foreign education. The hiring process for federal jobs is managed by www.usajobs.gov . This is where applicants can look for job vacancies and submit their applications. Organizations such as the US State Department use USAJobs to fill their open positions. USAJobs and the US State Department both accept credential evaluation reports from Scholaro because Scholaro is an Endorsed Member of AICE, the Association of International Credential Evaluators. Applicants seeking a government job who have international degrees should obtain a credential evaluation report to be considered for this type of employment.

How to get a job in the private sector

There are two ways to find jobs in the private sector – by using a search engine like www.indeed.com or by searching the sites of companies directly. Most businesses and organizations post career vacancies on their websites. Open positions are usually first posted by companies directly, they are not always picked up by search engines or advertised on job boards. International applicants who can legally work in the United States can apply with companies directly but are advised to have all their foreign documents translated into English, and their academic credentials professionally evaluated. Hiring managers are not trained in international education and they rarely speak foreign languages. Properly prepared applicants have the best chances of getting hired.

How to become self-employed

Becoming self-employed is a real possibility in many industries. Traditionally, self-employed individuals started a business and employed other people. The recent rise of the “gig economy” provides many new opportunities for individuals to operate as independent contractors, thereby becoming self-employed without the need to hire others. Independent contractors basically sell their own services directly to consumers. Marketability in the gig economy is essential to be successful. A self-employed individual who uses their education to market their skills must demonstrate the value of that education to every client, and not just to a hiring manager. For this reason, it is essential for internationally educated individuals to have a clear and understandable evaluation of their international education to show consumers their qualifications to provide marketable services.

A note about recruiters and recruitment agencies

Many businesses use professional recruiters to fill vacant positions. Recruiters are agents who are paid to match businesses with job candidates that meet their needs. The best way to get noticed by a recruiter and matched to a good job is to have a complete LinkedIn profile. This includes through descriptions of education, work experience and special skills. It is important to understand that recruiters are paid to fill positions, so candidates are advised to do independent research on the company, the salary range and the job responsibilities to make sure the position is a good fit. However, using a recruiter is not discouraged, because many companies do not post positions publicly and rely exclusively on recruiters to manage the hiring process.

Where you live matters

Your physical location matters when it comes to your job prospects. The year 2020 has been a catalyst to remote and off-site work, the ability to work from home does not mean that your chances of getting hired are equal. A professional network is essential to establish your reputation and to learn valuable insights about your industry. This is also how you an hear about job openings and professional opportunities as well as getting references and recommendations. Although it can be tempting to settle in a small town or remote village, most networking opportunities exist in larger cities. In addition to building and maintaining your network, your chances of getting a job are higher when you live in the same place as the position. Even if you are willing to relocate for the right opportunity, many companies prefer local candidates to not deal with the hassles of relocation. Furthermore, even if your job is remote, many states require companies to register and pay state taxes where their employees live. Therefore, if you live in different state than your employer, your chances of getting a job can be lower. Fortunately, the United States is geographically diverse so finding a city that suits you is possible. It is nevertheless important to consider that job opportunities exist where industry happens.

In Summary

Getting a job in today’s economy is a complicated process. There are many factors that need to be considered to bind a job that is a good fit. International applicants have the added challenge of proving their eligibility for jobs to hiring managers. Fortunately, globalization is affecting almost every industry, and it is increasingly easier to obtain services like translation and credential evaluation to demonstrate international applicants’ academic accomplishments. A General evaluation, one that shows the equivalency of a foreign degree is typically sufficient for employment. However, if you are in a competitive field and want to show your high academic aptitude or specialized coursework, a Course by Course evaluation is recommended because it lists all your coursework and a GPA in addition to the equivalency. Simply put, if your degree is from a foreign country, it is highly recommended that a recognized credential evaluation accompanies your resume and every job application, maximizing your chances for an employment offer.