The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how hiring managers describe the importance of education and industry related/real-world experience as criteria in hiring recent business graduates for the Consumer Products Goods industry in the United States. The theoretical foundations for the study were the CareerEDGE Model, and the Employability Skills Framework designed for career developmental learning to sustain employment. The research was guided by two questions how do hiring managers describe the importance of education and the importance of industry related and real-world experience as criterion for employability in hiring recent business graduates? The sample was hiring managers in the Consumer Products Industry (CPG) located in the United States, with a minimum of 3 years of experience as hiring managers and are actively engaged in the commercial areas. The sampling employed was convenience and referral sampling resulting in 14 individuals that participated in open-ended semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and a demographic survey. The data received was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis process. The findings showed that hiring managers view higher education degree attainment along with industry experience as being essential for employment in the CPG industry. The collaboration between academia and industry is critical for future workforce development to ensure graduates can support the extensive use of technology applications required in the workplace that is increasingly embracing remote or hybrid as a result of COVID-19. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]