When I first started job hunting, ‘entry-level’ in a job title felt like a green light because it was commonplace for this job to be for someone with minimal, if any, work experience. However, times have changed! If you have read a few postings, you have likely noticed something confusing: many “entry-level” jobs ask for 1–3 years of experience, a long list of technical skills, and a portfolio of work you might not yet have. How is this entry-level, right? There are numerous posts on social media laughing at such requirements for jobs labeled ‘entry-level’. So what does entry-level really mean? And how can you figure out what employers are actually looking for?
”Entry-Level” Does Not Equal “No Experience Required” Anymore
In reality, entry-level usually means:
- The job is designed for someone at the start of their career (but not necessarily their very first job)
- The company expects to train you, but still wants you to have some foundation
- You will likely report to a manager
- It is not likely that you will be managing anyone in this role
Employers sometimes ask for “1–2 years of experience” because they want reassurance that you can work professionally — that you know how to show up on time, meet deadlines, use basic tools, and adapt to office norms. Internships, part-time jobs, volunteer roles, and school projects can all count toward this “experience,” even if they were not full-time professional jobs, so it important to gain this experience early on during, or even before, starting college.
How to Read Between the Lines
Think of a job posting as a marketing document for the ‘perfect’ candidate — this is their ‘dream’ employee. There is a realization that not every candidate may meet every requirement, but that does not stop them from trying. So here is how to decide if you should apply to the open position — read what is said and understand what they are saying:
Focus on the must-haves
Usually, the first few bullet points in a posting list the true core skills—often these are the skills you need to possess in order to move you on for further review. If you meet those, you can still be competitive even if you’re missing some “nice-to-haves.” To increase your chances of being noticed, you should tailor your resume to include all the post’s must-haves. Download the FrogHire.ai extension which will allow you to work on your resume alongside each job post, allowing for ease in tailoring your resume quickly.
Pay attention to repeated themes
If a posting repeats words like “adaptable,” “fast-paced,” “self-starter,” or “multitasker,” they care as much about your work ethic and attitude as your technical skills.
Look at the job title and salary.
If the job says “Assistant,” “Coordinator,” “Junior,” or offers an entry-level salary range, that’s a strong sign it really is an early-career role — even if the posting sounds intimidating.
Apply anyway — smartly.
If you meet about 70% of the qualifications (but most of the must-haves), it’s worth applying. Customize your resume to highlight transferable skills and be ready to explain how your experiences (even academic or volunteer ones) prepare you for the job.
TLDR: While you may not have the “X years of experience” in a very specific tool or setting, do not let this stop you from applying if you meet most of the core, ‘must have’ requirements. Most employers know that early-career professionals will need some training and they are looking to see your potential. Make sure to tailor your resume to highlight the core skills you require to succeed in the role, and supplement with transferable skills. Don’t forget: download the FrogHire.ai extension and increase your efficiency by filtering across all five major job boards (e.g., Handshake, Indeed) at once while using your personal FrogHire.ai dashboard to help organize your job search.