why entry level jobs aren't entry level

Have you ever applied for an entry level job only to find they expect a few years of work experience? Why are you expected to have work experience before you start working? In this video, Sabrina learns why entry level jobs require experience, how much experience they want, and realizes (once again) that we live in a society.

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SOCIAL MEDIA
Sabrina
Melissa
Taha

CREDITS
Produced by Sabrina Cruz
Video Editing by Joe Trickey
Motion Design by Sabrina Cruz

MUSIC

RECOMMENDED READING
A Wake-Up Call for Grads (2019) by Lauren Weber and Chip Cutter

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 i am flabbergasted
00:22 regret to inform that young-Sabrina was a business bro
00:47 ~acTiNg~
01:12 we're all in this together
02:38 data gathering
03:42 capitalism got me down bad
04:28 why entry level jobs expect experience
06:14 how much experience do jobs expect
07:42 capitalism got me down bad (reprise)
09:25 share this with a friend who is also down bad
09:49 epic stunts to pay the bills
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Welcome to the joke under the fold! This is a silly one for you:

You should consider becoming a baker if you really knead the dough.

Leave a comment with the word DOUGH to let me know you were here ;-)

[answerinprogress]

I hope y'all enjoyed this video. Finding work feels like a full time job in itself and if you're in the middle of that, I wish you all the luck in the world.
For the algorithm's sake, *what's your dream job?* *Reply down below.* If people weren't so terrible, I think I'd like to be a grocer in a little town and just go about my day scanning broccoli. It seems nice :)
If you haven't already, subscribe to our newsletter for behind the scenes and bonus content:

[flynnwhite]

The point is: it's entry level *pay*. They want a very experienced person, but at an entry level pay. Wage crushing is rampant.

[Nadia]

"Entry level" now means "we want someone with full experience, and we're gonna pay the person the lowest wage possible"

[nimay]

True story.

I went for an entry level position specifically mention “Fresh graduate encouraged to apply. No experience needed, training will be provided”.

First thing the interviewer asked me was “Do have any job experience?”

I said “No”. She then proceeded to berate me because of that. Walked out confused and angry.

[JoshuaFluke]

Don't forget about your good ol unpaid internships that want prior internship experience. Jr. Level interns and senior level interns. Even chief executive interns.

[Kilmoran]

The hypocrisy of "children are our future" when compared to "fresh-faced graduates with no experience are a waste of time" that is then compounded by "why don't they know anything?! (When they refuse to teach them...)" is staggering.

[nicekid]

Needing job experience to get an entry level job sounds like the job version of the MosDef quote "Why do I need ID to get ID? If I had ID I wouldn't need ID."

[ServantOfOdin]

There is this story that floats around the internet about an IT guy, who wanted to work at a company but was rejected because the company wanted a specialist if a certain language with 5 years of experience with that language. Only that the guy was the one who created that specific language - 3 years ago.

[holistichiatus]

Probably worse than getting completely ghosted is being ghosted then suddenly getting an email 6-8 months later to tell you you didn't get the job :/

[mwbgaming]

They want people with
the energy of a 20 year old
The drive of a 30 year old
The experience of a 60 year old
The obedience of someone making 7 figures
And the pay scale of a 14 year old

[ShunXXX]

Trying to get a job as a social media assistant/manager is so ridiculous. They say 10 years experience, so you want the person who did the myspace advertisements. Then they wonder why they have trouble relating to generation Z and millenials. Hint: hire those people because they are that age group

[brettstarks]

Why I never feel bad when employers whine about a “worker shortage.” The labor market has been rigged in their favor for far too long.

[rinsolaris]

I work marketing in the recruitment industry. One thing that stuck with me was something a client told us: "Everyone needs to start somewhere, but not everyone can start with us."

EVERY employer thinks this way. Nobody wants to give newcomers a chance, even when the role they're trying to fill is "entry level" and can be easily done by a fresh college graduate like a receptionist job. Geez.

[vrededromer]

Although it's understandable companies want experience, at some point we're gonna have to face that there is a big group of people out in the world which are skilled, educated an qualified but can't get a job they are trained for because of the idea that no company wants to invest in people without experience.
Doing retail work for two years won't give the experience expected so even that won't really help you get a job in a different field, so how is someone to get a job when in their field?
I've had people tell me my internships didn't count as work experience or that my degree wasn't enough for a traineeship... honestly, the system just seems kind of broken...

[gametabulas]

I just got rejected from an "Entry level" job where they were asking for a full stack developer with 5 years of experience. Entry level simply means we'll pay you pennies.

[Thunderbender]

I definitely get why employers want someone with experience, that makes total sense. My only thing is if you’re going to require 3-5 years experience, DON’T CALL IT ENTRY-LEVEL!
If I had 3-5 years experience than I already “entered” this career field 3-5 years ago and don’t need an entry level job.

[aetheralmeowstic]

The term _entry level_ should be legally protected, and should be defined as _a position in a company that requires no prior experience._

[justderp]

“Ok I studied for years to get this degree, I did a little bit of internship.”
“You must have at least 7 years experience in this specific part of the job”
“It was only invented like 4 years ago”
“Did I stutter?”

[alexi]

A few weeks ago I had an interview for a job where I actually did have a years relevant experience. When they gave me feedback for the interview they told me they hired a recent graduate because they had been an active member of the polo club at university. I was literally thinking "Hang on, I told them about being active with the school newspaper. Why on earth does POLO of all things seem like a better fit than the university newspaper??!!" So I've come to the conclusion that sometimes people will just hire based on their own biases or if they find someone interesting. I'm just hoping that my own story and skills resonates with one of these employers soon!!

[faenihbs]

If you don’t get the necessary experience from college, then why make it a requirement to go to college??? This system is really messed up.