Reaction to 'New Reality for Entry-Level Jobs'

by Peter Vogt

MonsterTRAK Career Coach

Our recent article on "The New Reality for Entry-Level Jobs" touched a nerve -- many, in fact. Anger, frustration, bewilderment, shock, fear and more came through in your feedback. And the messages are still coming in.

Here's some of what you had to say, along with a few observations that we hope will be helpful to you, if not always easy to hear.

"Entry-Level" Is a Misnomer

Abe writes: Entry-level positions should not require experience! If you must have experience, then the job should not be listed as entry-level! If I had tons of experience, why would I want to work for entry-level salaries? By requiring experience for entry-level positions, the employer is preventing experience from applying! He is a fool and is definitely defeating his own purpose!

Abe, I don't think anyone would disagree with your argument. There's only one problem: While your questions are challenging, admirable and in many ways right on the mark, the reality is that employers have the jobs and thus make the rules as to the definition of "entry-level."

You obviously don't have to go along with those rules. But it doesn't change the reality that in the eyes of most employers, even "entry-level" positions require some practical experience.

The point is that, fair or unfair, this philosophy does exist. Ignore it at your peril. That's the reason we decided to publish the "New Reality" article in the first place. We wanted MonsterTRAK users to see how the notion of an "entry-level" job isn't what it used to be -- at least from the perspective of most employers.

Experience Isn't a Guarantee

D. Bell argues: Even experience is no guarantee you'll get a job. I returned to college to earn my degree and even with more than 12 years of work-related background and computer skills, I still can't land a "real" job.É Blows holes in your theory that experience is the best way to get a new job. Ha! Welcome to the real world!

D. Bell, you're right -- experience doesn't guarantee you a job. But if you're struggling with a new degree and 12 years of experience, as are thousands of others in similar situations, can you imagine where you'd be if you had little or no experience?

Experience does allow you to compete more effectively in a tight entry-level job market, where you're up against not only your own recent-graduate peers, but also more-seasoned job hunters.

How Can I Get Experience After Graduation?

"I'm a new graduate with a degree in MIS and marketing," says LeChe' Nick. "I have some work experience, but I wish I had more. I am now paying the price for not doing an internship in my field."

Adds sanatass: After reading this article, I know I made a major mistake. I did not get an internship during my college years. Now that I've graduated, I cannot find a job. Is there anything I can do?

Good news, sanatass and LeChe' -- you don't have to continue "paying the price." There are several ways you can start getting the experience you need, despite the fact you've already graduated. Even a postgraduation internship is a viable possibility.

The hard truth is that it isn't easy to pursue any job in the current market. No matter how many articles we publish and how much advice we offer, we can't make your entry-level job search simple.

But we do hope to make it ultimately successful.

© 2008 MonsterTRAK