COMMENTARY: Entry-level jobs should not require years of experience

For those who have just graduated college and are looking for their dream job, many find themselves scrolling through job sites like LinkedIn or Indeed endlessly trying to find a job that doesn’t require three to five years of experience. Too many entry-level jobs require extensive years of experience for an applicant nowadays.

If a job listing is being listed as an entry-level position, it is unfair to require three to five years of work experience. Entry-level positions should not require a certain number of years just to be considered. It is frustrating for those who are freshly graduated with their degree and need to find a job that every job listing is setting these unnecessarily high standards.

The U.S. labor force predicted that 163.5 million people will be entering the workforce in 2022. The amount of people looking for work is higher than ever according to predictions made by the labor force.

One of the reasons hiring managers might require a certain number of years on a job listing is because of the high volume of applicants and they are simply trying to narrow down the applicant pool.

This is not fair to applicants who might have more passion or skills for the job they are applying for rather than the applicants who simply have more years on their resume. Giving those with fewer years of experience a chance to prove themselves is something hiring managers should consider more.

If every employer only considers those with more years behind them, then they may miss out on someone who might be a better asset to them. Someone with years of experience might have a harder time following the company’s vision because they have already been shaped a certain way from their previous job and someone who has less experience can be easier to train or mold into what they want.

A recent graduate could be beneficial to the employer as well because they may have recent or relevant work completed in classes they took or may even have completed certifications online from their time in college.

Although it can be discouraging to see that many employers require years of experience, one can still overcome this dilemma in several ways. For example, consider all the work one might have completed during their college careers such as internships, projects or any jobs that might have had similar responsibilities. These could all be considered by an employer when they are overlooking your application.

Becoming comfortable with regularly tailoring your resume to better fit a job description is also a tactic one can use when applying for a job. Employers like to see special skills relating to the job description even if the applicant doesn’t have the required years of experience.

Being able to utilize networking skills to get in touch with people who work at the company you’re pursuing can also be beneficial.

For more information or advice on how to overcome these obstacles, Career Services is a reliable resource for any questions one might have about how to land the job of their dreams. They also offer an array of services to anyone in need of a resume or cover letter critiques and provide mock interviews and clothing tips on what to wear when meeting a potential employer.

Students are advised to email CareerServices@uhcl.edu or simply call their office at 281-283-2590 to make an appointment.