Equivalent Work Experience

Also referred to as experience in lieu of a degree, equivalent work experience is a term that frequently appears on job postings. While the phrase oftentimes refers to an educational requirement, it can also refer to specific coursework or a certification.

Unless required by law, employers will consider job candidates that possess work experience deemed equivalent to a specific minimum requirement. Allowing candidates possessing equivalent experience to be considered for a job opening provides employers with a larger pool of candidates to select for an interview.

There is no universal standard for equivalent experience; however, the table below demonstrates reasonable ranges:

When applying for a job, it's the candidate's responsibility to provide conclusive evidence, and clearly demonstrate, they have the equivalent work experience. The types of evidence normally submitted may include:

• Mastery of the required skills as demonstrated through specific work assignments.

• Transcripts demonstrating the candidate successfully completed general education and coursework required for the degree.

• Publications written by the applicant that demonstrate they would be considered a subject matter expert.

• Verifiable work experience appearing on the candidate's resume.

While a company's human resources department is typically responsible for verifying the information appearing in a job application and resume, determining whether a candidate possesses equivalent work experience is usually a decision made by the hiring manager.

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