Tech employers prioritize practical skills over traditional degrees for job applicants

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A former Google recruiter with 18 years of hiring experience, Prasad Rao, told Scaler School of Technology's podcast that tech employers now prioritise practical skills, real-world proof, and ownership over traditional degrees.
He said a BTech degree alone may not even secure an interview, while achievements like hackathons, competitive programming, startup experience, and open-source work stand out.
Rao also said overall software hiring has not decreased, with some companies creating specialised AI-specific roles, and noted some firms deliberately avoid hiring from IITs fearing such candidates may get bored.
The report matters for students and job seekers because it signals that continuously updating skills and demonstrating real-world application are becoming key to long-term survival in tech.

Whether companies continue creating specialised AI-specific roles or hiring volumes shift as AI adoption spreads.
How far employers move away from college pedigree in actual hiring panels, including attitudes toward IIT graduates.
Whether job seekers and institutions respond by building portfolios, internships, and project-based proof of skills.

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Named India · IITs · Google · Manmeet Singh Akali · Prasad Rao · Scaler School of Technology

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