One of the most frustrating things about being new to the job market is the “chicken and the egg” situation.
You know the old saying, which came first, the chicken or the egg? There is this belief out there that new grads are in the same sort of situation when looking for a place to work. They can’t get a job because they don’t have the experience, but they can’t get experience until they get a job.
If you’re lucky, then you might be in a situation where this is not a problem – working for a family-owned business, for example. But otherwise, how are you supposed to escape this circular logic scenario?
Believe it or not, companies actually DO want to hire entry-level employees. This is a case where the conventional wisdom is just wrong. You only need to know how to present yourself and your career documents, like your resume, when applying for a job.
Here are three reasons why companies want to hire entry-level employees:
They Want Commitment
In this time of enormous student debt, students have to be pretty sure about what field they want to enter into. If you’re committed to building a career in a particular field, then you’ve probably already attended years of university in pursuit of your degree.
This is a positive trait that companies look for in new employees. Going to school for four years (or more) and landing a degree shows them that you have a deep level of commitment to your chosen field. You “stuck with it” meaning that you’re likely to be a reliable hire.
They Want Time-Management Skills
If you’re a recent graduate, or you’re still in school but are looking for jobs, you likely have excellent time-management skills. After all, students have a ton of work on their plate all the time. Therefore, to survive your degree, you must have developed efficient time-management strategies for studying and making sure that you even have last-minute homework. This is a skill highly prized at companies who want their employees to be naturally efficient and get their work done on time.
They Want Potential
Sometimes a company has already decided that they want entry-level people to apply for their job. So they include it right in the job postings, for example:
- Entry-level accountant
- Entry-level human resources specialist
- Internship (paid or unpaid)
- Apprenticeship
If you see that kind of a job post, it’s an indicator that the company wants people to come in who are entry-level.
What really narrows things down in these cases is the interview. When they say they want someone who is “entry-level,” they actually want someone who has potential. Someone who comes into the interview with energy, excitement, and a willingness to learn. This means that, if you apply for an entry-level job, you better be willing to hit the ground running, ready to do your best job right off the bat.
As a resume writer and career coach, I’ve worked with countless newly-minted graduates who are entering the workforce. Trust me; I know how nerve-wracking it can be. While it might seem like you just can’t break in, that may only mean that you don’t have the right resume to catch recruiters’ attention.
I can help you research entry-level positions and write a resume that will make it crystal clear that you’re ready to take a huge step in your career and make a positive contribution to a company. If you’d like to talk, I invite you to schedule a no-charge consultation. I can’t wait to help you create career documents that will land you the job interviews you’ve been looking for!