Last night as I was pondering over some of the things I’ve noticed about job applications, I noticed something interesting. I’m not sure whether this is something common or if this bizarre change has only taken roots in Ghana due to how hard the job market has gotten.
Typically, entry level roles are such that you should be able to perform them even with little to no education. There’s mostly no prerequisite experience required because you more than likely will be trained or educated on the job by the company or institution.
However, it seems we’re facing a different reality today. The previous no experience required entry level roles now require at least 2 years of working experience.😂 This entirely defeats the definition and concept of entry level and begs the question…
Why work entry level when you already have experience?
Generally, entry level roles are not just jobs but opportunities for people with no experience such as fresh university graduates to gain head-start experience to kick off their careers. Because of the fact that no experience is required, entry level usually pays very meagre salaries compared to jobs that require some sort of experience.
So really, why would I work an underpaid entry level role when I could be paid higher at a different organization for my experience? I’m guessing this is where the extremely tough job market and the principles of demand and supply come to bite us in the ass.
It appears that the large pool of qualified but unemployed people creates a struggle for jobs. People with experience have been laid off their jobs and are unable to secure better ones at par to their previous ones turn to entry level. And these are DOZENS of people. So what that creates is a job market where extremely overqualified people compete for positions below their pay grid with the people who those roles supposedly should be suited for. Demand and supply. Lol
But it entry level requires work experience, how the hell do you get any experience at all?
This is very serious dilemma I think is ignored, probably because employers are aware of and capitalizing on the saturated job market.
Entry level roles are (supposed to be) the experience-gaining roles. They’re basically what most people use to kickstart their careers. But with this new system that only hires people that already have some sort of experience, where lies the fate of fresh graduates?
Picture 1 credit: HOPin academy used with permission
Picture 2 credit: depressedfuckup