Sometimes Pedigree Matters

Here is a requirement that was listed in a job posting for a Director level position at a Hedge Fund in New York City:

Top Academic pedigree (Ivy League preferred)

I have two problems with this criteria.

First: What, are we dogs?

Second, and more importantly, who cares about education for a Director-level position? When someone is at the Director level, accomplishments and results would be much more important than their education.

I’m not arguing against the Ivy League preference, per se. This is not a new concept; I’ve worked with well-qualified executive clients in several industries who were accustomed to being rejected by companies based on this criteria alone. Some companies will only hire graduates from certain colleges, and sometimes that list does not include the Ivy League. Some companies will only hire people who have experience at a pre-set list of other companies.

But … pedigree?

And, at the Director level, who cares about education at all?

Whoever was in charge of writing the job description really needs an education in communication, DE&I, and empathy.

How about these options:

Ivy League education preferred

4.0 at top-ranked colleges preferred

Top 5 / Ivy League education applicants get priority

The client who showed me this position is in his 50s, with a resume that is now full of accomplishments, impact, and results. But he didn’t attend an Ivy League college, he went to a SUNY college. So this Hedge Fund might reject his resume, possibly because he didn’t attend the right schools, even though some Ivy League graduates might have zero value-add on their resume.

This seems absurd.

I hope this company gets what they’re asking for: A well-educated dog that does their job and goes home.

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