"Is My Degree Useless?" What Top Employers Actually Look For in 2027 | AHIBS Podcast Ep. 16

🎙️ AHIBS Podcast | Episode 16 Is a degree still enough to stand out in today’s job market? In this episode, we sit down with Prema Athiseesan, Head of HR (MY & SG), Cruise & Hospitality industry and an AHIBS MBA alumna, to explore what employers are really looking for in today’s graduates and young professionals. With extensive experience in strategic HR leadership, talent acquisition, workforce planning, employee development and organisational development across different industries, Prema shares her perspective on what makes candidates stand out beyond their academic qualifications. ⏳ Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: The Reality Shock for Fresh Graduates 01:44 - The Biggest Mistake on Fresh Grad Resumes 03:55 - Why the Corporate World is Your "Starting Line" 05:29 - Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What HR Really Wants 08:31 - Gen Z, AI Dependency, and Handling Failure 09:55 - How to Stand Out Before You Graduate (The LinkedIn Strategy) 13:42 - The Importance of Adaptability in the Workplace 15:44 - A Shocking Interview Story: Why CGPA Isn't Everything 19:50 - Rapid Fire: Biggest Resume Red Flags 20:47 - The Best Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview 21:42 - The #1 Technical Skill Every Student Needs Today Whether you’re a student, fresh graduate or young professional, this conversation offers practical insights into building a career beyond your qualification. 👤 About the Guest: Prema Athiseesan Head of HR (MY & SG), Cruise & Hospitality industry AHIBS MBA Alumna Prema is an experienced HR professional with expertise in strategic HR leadership, talent acquisition, workforce planning, employee relations, organisational development, performance management and leadership development. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and is a member of the Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management (MIHRM). Connect with AHIBS: 🌐 Website: https://business.utm.my 📸 Instagram:   / utmahibs   📖 Facebook:   / utmahibs   🔗 LinkedIn:   / utmahibs   📌 Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to the AHIBS YouTube channel for more conversations with AHIBS faculty, students, alumni, industry leaders and stakeholders. #utmahibs #ahibspodcast #ahibsalumni #futureofwork #employability #careerdevelopment #graduates #humanresources #hr #skills #youngprofessionals #highereducation #utmascend2030 #mqa #accredited