Here’s the problem with “entry-level” jobs 👩🏻‍💻💼

Here’s the problem with “entry-level” jobs 👩🏻‍💻💼

First, let’s start out with this alarming statistic I recently came across: Entry level jobs only accounted for 2.5% of all job postings on ZipRecruiter (and I would assume similar stats across other job portals and hiring sites. 

Now, think of the tens or even hundreds of thousands of applicants looking for an entry level role who are all applying for just 2.5% of the job market. It’s no wonder job candidates right now are having such a hard time even just getting an interview. (And don’t even get me started on the “entry-level” jobs asking for 3+ years of experience 😅)

Less than 61% of HR leaders said in 2023 that they are hiring for entry-level and less-specialized positions, down from 79% in 2022, according to a PwC survey. 

The biggest issue that I’m seeing is that less and less companies are hiring for entry-level roles and if they do, the number of roles they’re hiring for is going down. 

This is a trend that’s only gotten worse the last few years when you also consider that the number of applicants for these jobs have increased because of the domino effect of a slower job market for college and bootcamp grads going back even to 2020. This means 2024 grads may still be competing with graduates from recent years for the same entry level roles. 

Not to mention that many roles that used to be considered “early-career” are now asking for 5-7 years of experience. 

With the recent press release from the White House urging a shift towards skill-based hiring, I do think we’re headed towards the right direction but the biggest differentiator for those just starting out in their careers is having an increased number of apprenticeships, internships, co-ops, rotational programs, and other earn-and-learn opportunities. 

More organizations should be focusing on training new talent rather than spending tens of thousands of dollars trying to hire for the “perfect” candidate (which likely does not exist, unless you train them 🙂). 

Here’s a recent video I made going into more detail about these trends: