A degree alone is not enough
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai (from Lam Ha ward, Ninh Binh province) graduated with honors in multimedia communication. Not only focusing on studying, from the 2nd year, Ms. Mai has been very actively participating in collective and extracurricular activities and working part-time, collaborating with a number of beauty salons and beauty establishments... From the 4th year of university, the family almost did not have to send money to Ms. Mai because income from the places she collaborated ensured sufficient living expenses. Graduating with a good degree, Ms. Mai became even more confident with her full CV accumulated during her studies and tireless part-time work.
In July 2025, Ms. Mai completed her CV and applied for jobs at a number of media companies and press agencies. In 3 months, after 6 interviews, Ms. Mai was not accepted into any place. The 7th time, she was accepted for a 1-month probationary period, but after working for 1 week, Ms. Mai gave up because she could not follow the job.
I am shocked because the things I mastered, learned, and accumulated during my studies and work did not meet the job requirements. The image, video, and graphic design products I made are still "criticized", some digital applications I do not understand clearly or cannot apply... In summary, to have a job related to this field, I must continue to study in depth and improve my skills," Ms. Mai shared.
Many new graduates and young workers share that when participating in interviews, recruiters not only ask about professional knowledge but also have to go through tests on digital skills, data processing, specialized software use, and even teamwork skills in the online environment. For many people, this is a "shock" because these contents are only learned superficially or are completely absent from the formal training program.
Mr. Tran Anh Quan - a bachelor of economics in Hanoi said that although he graduated in the right major, he was still rejected when applying for a job due to "lack of data analysis skills and not being used to working on digital platforms".
Recruiters require proficiency in advanced Excel, knowing how to use management software, having digital thinking, while in lecture halls we mainly study theory," Mr. Quan said.
Specific skills: The gap from lecture hall to business
According to Mr. Tran Hoa Binh - Human Resources Director of Thien Binh Group (Bach Mai ward, Hanoi), the requirement for digital skills is no longer an added advantage but has become an almost mandatory condition for employers. Digital transformation is taking place strongly in most fields, from manufacturing, commerce, services to administration, office; businesses need workers who can start working immediately, without spending too much time retraining.
Not only basic information technology skills, many businesses also require candidates to be able to use in-depth tools such as data analysis, digital design, digital marketing, automation system operation... These requirements make many bachelors feel "exhausted" right from the application round. Besides digital skills, specific skills by industry are also a major challenge for young workers. The media industry needs multi-platform content production skills; the logistics industry requires understanding of supply chains and management software; the engineering industry requires the ability to read drawings, operate modern machinery. Meanwhile, training programs at many educational institutions are still heavily focused on theory, lack practice, and lack close connection with businesses. Graduates therefore have to "re-study" in the process of applying for jobs, accepting to work outside the industry or starting from low-income positions to accumulate experience," Mr. Tran Hoa Binh analyzed.
To improve this situation, Mr. Vu Quang Thanh - Deputy Director of the Hanoi Employment Service Center said that synchronous changes are needed from both workers, training institutions and businesses.
Students need to proactively learn more skills outside of the official curriculum, participate in internships and practical projects right from when they are still in school. Schools need to update training programs closely following market needs, increase practice time, and strengthen closer links with businesses. On the business side, in addition to setting high requirements, there should also be a roadmap for training and supporting young workers in the early stages of working, avoiding the mentality of "recruiting perfect people" while the labor market is lacking quality human resources.
