If you’re looking for a job in the United States or Canada and earned your degree in another country, you will likely need a credential evaluation. Let’s discuss why an employer might ask you for an evaluation and how a report can support you throughout your career.
How credential evaluations help employers
There are a few different reasons why an employer might ask you for a credential evaluation report. From streamlining hiring practices to minimizing the risk of fraud, here are some of the reasons:
Not all academic programs and degrees are the same across the world.
This means an employer might not understand if your degree is equivalent to a degree in their country. For example, most U.S. and Canadian bachelor’s degree programs are four years long, while some programs in the United Kingdom and India, for example, last only three years. A credential evaluation explains the value of your international education in terms U.S. and Canadian employers can understand.
Unfortunately, fraud can be a common occurrence.
To reduce risk when hiring an international candidate, companies will undertake additional background and verification checks. This may especially be true if the employer is considering a work visa sponsorship for the candidate. A credential evaluation drastically reduces incidents of fraudulent document use.
Employers save time and effort in their recruitment and hiring processes. The hiring manager who examines a candidate’s report eliminates the need to research degree equivalencies, because a credential evaluation includes a U.S. or Canadian degree equivalency.
How a WES credential evaluation can help you
Just as a WES credential evaluation benefits employers in the hiring process, a report can also support your job search and career development. Proactively receiving an evaluation early in your job search can help you target specific roles that you are qualified for.
A credential evaluation demonstrates the value of your international education to a prospective employer and can be used as supporting documentation in negotiations for a higher salary and better benefits. Read more about how your credential evaluation can support your job search.
Plus, with no expiration date, a WES credential evaluation report can continue to be of use throughout your career.
Key Takeaways
Employers are looking for the best fit to fill open roles, so highlighting your strengths, including your international education, helps them envision you in the position. Since hiring managers often prefer to move quickly to fill positions, being able to provide a credential evaluation report early in the application or hiring process can demonstrate that you’re prepared and proactive.
If you are getting ready to embark on a job search in the U.S. or Canada, and haven’t received a credential evaluation report yet, we encourage you to consider getting one early to support you in the entire process—from finding the right role to negotiating your salary.
As a founding member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), WES is a leading provider of credential evaluations and trusted by more than 5,000 organizations, including employers, in the U.S. and Canada. WES is here and ready to support you on your career journey! Ready to get started? Invest in your future today!
Related Reading
Why Do I Need a Credential Evaluation?
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