Entry Level Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

Entry-level jobs give you a foot in the door to your desired career path. Unlike trade jobs that may have apprenticeships, prior hands-on experience is not always needed to start at entry level. A person choosing to pursue a career in IT can begin with an entry-level position and gain knowledge on-the-job. Some entry-level jobs are part-time, and allow candidates to move up to full-time when they have gained experience.

You find entry-level jobs in most industries and careers. In food service, an entry-level position may be a cashier or a busboy. For those looking to move into finance, bank tellers, junior accountants, and payroll clerks are examples of entry-level jobs. Acquiring these entry-level jobs in the industry you wish to work enables you to gain hands-on experience and prove your capabilities before seeking higher-level positions.

A great entry-level job will depend on your own personal preferences and career goals. Entry-level jobs can be stepping stones to more advanced-level roles within your industry, so you'll need to choose the job that it best for you. Broadly, the best entry-level positions are categorized as the ones that pay well, allow for growth, and are readily available. Some of the entry-level jobs with the highest salary and satisfaction are software engineers, sales representatives, business analysts, financial analysts, and physical therapists.