Warren Buffett Doesn’t Look for Degrees When Hiring — 3 Skills To Land a Job Instead
Written by
Jake Safane
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Many famous business leaders such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg never graduated college, but even if you’re not starting your own company, a high-priced degree isn’t necessarily a prerequisite. For example, Warren Buffett noted in his 2024 annual shareholder letter that he never prioritizes where someone went to school when selecting CEOs.
That’s not to say a college degree is worthless. Those with bachelor’s degrees have higher lifetime earnings than those without, according to the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
However, it’s not just the piece of paper that opens doors. Earning a degree can also instill critical thinking skills and help you on your way to becoming a lifelong learner, which can be valuable throughout your career, especially as technology changes workplaces. But even if you never went to college, you can still advance by learning and developing skills outside of a degree program.
“It’s no secret the job market is competitive right now,” said Macaire Montini, VP of people and culture at HiBob. “Technology and industry needs are changing faster than most degree programs can keep up, and many universities are still teaching outdated material that doesn’t always reflect what companies actually need today.”
To keep up, consider developing skills in the following areas:
1. Vocational Skills
While a degree may have been enough in the past, learning skills specific to your intended occupation via hands-on training is key to getting your career started, especially as automation eliminates some entry-level roles.
A recent HiBob survey found 55% of professionals, including HR leaders, think that early-career candidates can maximize their chances of joining the workforce by getting hands-on experience through internships, apprenticeships and volunteering, said Montini.
2. AI/Data Skills
As AI and automation make their way into more industries, learning how to work with these tools is increasingly important for career development.
“Employers want to see that candidates are growing and staying curious even while they’re between jobs. Learning how AI might affect your field or picking up new technical skills that are becoming more valuable in your industry shows initiative and genuine interest that will not go unnoticed,” said Montini.
Research from Upwork found 55% of businesses expect to hire data analysts and data scientists over the next three months, and 61% said they most need AI proficiency in flexible talent skill sets.
3. Soft Skills
While technical skills are important in this environment, don’t underestimate the value of soft skills, which are arguably also becoming more important to differentiate from what AI can’t achieve yet.
For example, World Economic Research found the top skills employers globally think will be important are analytic thinking; resilience, flexibility, and agility; and leadership and social influence.
Similarly, HiBob’s research found 44% think focusing on building stronger soft skills will help entry-level candidates in this AI era.
“Companies also want people who can adapt and think critically,” said Montini. “Beyond technical know-how, soft skills are becoming just as important. Creativity, emotional intelligence, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning not only help employees succeed, but also ease the pressure on employers by fostering self-sufficient teams. Those qualities often make the difference between a good candidate and a great hire.”
While soft skills aren’t necessarily as easy to point to as a degree, they can be developed as part of many other jobs or hobbies. For example, maybe your company has a sustainability team you can join, which helps you analyze ways your company can become more environmentally friendly, and you can also develop interpersonal skills working with this team to implement suggestions. Or, maybe your hobby involves playing basketball. Captaining your local team can show leadership skills, and that’s something you can discuss in employment interviews.
So, if you want to go further in your career, don’t feel boxed in by your degree or lack thereof. There are many other ways to get ahead nowadays.
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