In recent years, entry-level jobs have become more competitive, with many positions requiring two or more years of experience. As frustrating as that might sound, it’s become a common reality for job seekers. The good news? By gaining career clarity, building a network, and focusing on upskilling, you can successfully move beyond entry-level positions. Here’s how you can use your entry-level role as a stepping stone to higher-level opportunities.
Entry-Level Frustrations: A Common Roadblock
Most recent graduates and early-career professionals are all too familiar with the frustration of finding an entry-level job posting that demands several years of experience. Isn’t the whole point of “entry-level” to welcome people with little to no experience?
It’s a common sentiment among job seekers, and it raises important questions: What exactly is considered an entry-level job? What do employers mean by “experience”? And most importantly, how can you land one of these jobs and then grow beyond it?
What Does “Entry-Level” Really Mean?
The term “entry-level” is often as vague as describing a salary as “competitive” or a benefits package as “generous.”
“The ‘entry-level’ debate has become an easy target because there is no clear answer, and everyone has a different opinion on it,” says Adam Posner, founder of NHP Talent Group and host of #thePOZcast. Across different industries and companies, the meaning of “entry-level” varies, and that variation leads to much confusion.
In some companies, an entry-level position might welcome people with no relevant experience but with the enthusiasm and potential to learn. In others, it could mean a role that requires one to two years of related experience or skills. Neither definition is wrong—they just reflect different organizational needs.
At its core, entry-level simply represents the lowest job tier in an organization, beyond internships or student-specific roles. It indicates positions that require fewer skills and less proficiency than higher-level roles. However, with evolving work environments, the concept of “entry-level” has undergone significant changes.
The Evolution of Entry-Level Jobs
If it feels like true entry-level jobs are disappearing, that’s because they are. Research from Glassdoor shows that between 2019 and 2020, the number of job postings with “entry-level” or “new grad” in the title dropped by 68%. What’s driving this trend? Here are a few reasons:
- Shifting hiring practices: Many employers struggle to retain experienced employees and have shifted their focus to hiring candidates with more skills and experience to ensure long-term retention.
- The rise of internships: Internships have often replaced traditional entry-level roles as the primary way for early-career professionals to get their foot in the door. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, internships are the most influential factor when employers decide between equally qualified candidates.
- Automation and technology: As technology continues to evolve, many of the administrative or low-level tasks once assigned to entry-level employees are now automated. This trend reduces the need for traditional entry-level positions.
How to Move Beyond Entry-Level Jobs
Once you’ve landed an entry-level role, remember that it’s only the beginning of your career journey. With some focus and strategy, you can move from an entry-level mindset to more advanced, rewarding roles. Here are three tips to help you on your way:
1. Gain Career Clarity
Before you can move forward, you need to know where you’re headed. Achieving career clarity means understanding what you want and which roles are the best fit for your skills and interests.
“Career clarity is an underestimated tool,” says Rachel Serwetz, CEO and Career Coach at WOKEN. It requires self-reflection, researching potential career paths, and gaining insights from people who’ve walked the path you’re interested in.
You can achieve this by conducting informational interviews, reading industry reports, and exploring job descriptions to see which roles resonate with you. The better you understand your desired career path, the more confident and targeted your next steps will be.
2. Network, Network, and Network Some More
Networking is vital when you’re looking to advance your career. Once you have a clearer vision of where you want to go, seek out people already in those roles and ask for their insights.
Look for professionals who are only a few years ahead of where you are now. Ask them about their career paths, the skills that were most critical for their advancement, and what hiring managers typically look for when filling those positions. Connecting with hiring managers themselves can also provide valuable insight into what makes candidates stand out.
Networking isn’t just about landing a new job—it’s about gaining information, learning from others, and building relationships. Instead of submitting dozens of applications, consider how many meaningful conversations you can have in a week. Those connections can lead to opportunities you never knew existed.
3. Focus on Upskilling
It’s not enough to just put in time; you also need to invest in yourself by improving your skills, a process known as upskilling.
Identify the skills most relevant to your desired role—this should become clearer through your networking and research—and take steps to develop them. Whether through formal courses, certifications, or hands-on projects, advancing your skills will make you a more competitive candidate for higher-level roles.
As Serwetz says, “Ensure your next upskilling opportunity is highly intentional and worth your time.” By staying focused on the right skills, you’ll be better prepared to move into your next role with confidence.
Entry-Level Jobs: An Entry Point, Not a Dead End
Entry-level positions often come with frustration—especially when they seem to require more experience than expected. However, these roles are intended to be just that: an entry point into your career.
Employers aren’t necessarily setting unrealistic expectations; they’re just defining what entry-level means within their organization. The key is to recognize that while entry-level jobs might come with ambiguity, they’re not the end of the road.
By gaining career clarity, building a solid professional network, and continuously upskilling, you can leverage your entry-level experience as a stepping stone to more advanced positions. With intention and strategy, you’ll soon find yourself moving beyond entry-level to more fulfilling and impactful roles.
Final Thoughts
Remember, entry-level isn’t forever. It’s a door, not a dead end. Use it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and pave the way for the next chapter in your career journey. With the right mindset and actions, your career trajectory will steadily climb to new heights.
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