Crossword Genius

How, gradually, one obtains further job qualifications? (2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

by degrees

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'how gradually one' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'further job qualifications?' is the wordplay.
'further job' becomes 'by' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'qualifications?' becomes 'degrees' (I have seen 'Educational qualifications ' mean 'degrees' so perhaps 'qualifications' could also mean 'degrees').
'by'+'degrees'='BY DEGREES'

'obtains' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for by degrees that I've seen before include "A little at a time" , "How graduates gained success at university" , "Step by step, gradually (2.7)" .)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app