why do so many companies post entry level jobs but require 3+ years of relevant experience?

Question

also, if hardly any firms are willing to take on recent grads, where do they suppose we get our experience?

Answer 1

I applied for a TRAINEE position, and was denied because I did not have the experience.... What the **** is that about.....

Answer 2

Most times its the HR executives designing the ad. If you follow closely some companies that advertise weekly for different positions, you will see the same layout, same text, for whatever the position - that means, they simply cut and paste.

The irony is that many of these companies post ads that say experience is required but on the last line, they say fresh graduates are welcome. Talk about contradictions!

Internship has no real value when applying for a job because most employers take it as part time jobs. Also, most internships relegate the applicants to menial jobs such as filing, packing and back office functions. Of course there are some really good companies that really put the interns through the paces but compared to the majority, it is insignificant.

So for you, I can understand how you feel, its a catch 22. But take heart, if you keep at it, you will land your dream job. Dont give up.

Answer 3

This is why internships are so important, you get relevant experience, but you are still entry level. People do hire college grads, generally larger companies who have better training programs and have hired many people in your situation. Smaller companies usually don't have good training programs and do better bringing in a person who has a little bit of experience to capitalize on.

Answer 4

College training in the I/T world taught me lots. I had 16 weeks to finish a project, I had scheduled lab times, and open lab times to finish work as I needed, and in between parties, lots of time to study.

Then, came my first job. Guess what? You find out you have 10 different projects and all of them are due yesterday.

Its not about dissing the grads, its about someone who has been in the trenches.

I highly recommend the military as one way of getting training, as well as Internship at a firm while you are still in school.

If all else fails, tell the person you are interviewing with, "try me for two weeks or a month free, no pay....if you don't like me, don't keep me".

Answer 5

I feel your pain, I am graduating this June and I keep getting turned down due to lack of experience.