What is more important in a potential job candidate? (1) Training (degrees/certificates); (2) Experience (work experience); or (3) Passion & drive.

Even though all are important component and the candidate quality is the outcome of a mix of them all but the questioner wants to know the one that carries a more relative importance.

Here I would say it is the passion and drive.  Why

1- The degree certificates are reflection of the past and have little effect in the future compared to passion and drive

2- Experience is useful but usually it comes with nonadaptive problems and variations to the extent that sometimes employers may prefer no experience to experience

3- Passion and drive are fuel in the tank for the future and the candidate is a candidate to work in the future not in the past experience or to revisit the examinations that led to awarding him or her the degree certificates.

This answer is not made to undermine the importance of formal education or experience I strongly belive in the atmost importance of both but the question is about weighing the importance of the three factors for selection.

I think it depends on the job itself , some jobs I would hire for passion alone as other skills can we learned, others i would hire for passion and experience, i think experience alone or training alone would be justifiable for me to hire someone. Everything can be tought except passion and drive.

Hello, grettings from Venezuela. Even when I dont have the skills required to apply for a position within oil and gas industry I always apply since I think my passion and drive shall allow me to advance in this competitive world. I am electrical engineer and this is my opinion

prequalification and experiences

All 3 are important, but in the below order:

1. Passion & Drive

2. Training (Degrees / Certificates) &

3. Experience (Work Experience)

first i will look to the experince , second to passion and third to degree 

*Sigh*  We get a lot of questions a bit like this.

None of these are very important. (Ok there are exceptions.)

Imagine you are a judge at a talent show for singers. 

One singer has a degree in singing, has many years experience in singing, and is so keen to win you think their heart is about to burst.   Their voice sounds like a fingernails on a blackboard.

The second has no degree and little experience and is an average singer, but from the interview sections it is clear that they are a really, really pleasant person.

The third has a voice as beautiful as a nightingale.  You have lost the paperwork with their experience and qualifications.

The fourth has good, solid qualifications and experience, and is obviously keen.  They have a nice voice.   They also have fourteen criminal convictions for theft from their employer and two for assault.

Question1.  Which of these people would you like to be locked in a room with8 hours a day, every day?   (A bit like you are in, say, an office.)

Question2.  You have been asked to enter the singer of your choice in a global competition.  If you win you will receive half of million dollar prize.  Which person do you choose?

A pottencial candidate should posese required qualifications,Passion & drive