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You find a job that sounds perfect.

The responsibilities seem manageable. The company looks interesting. The salary is a step in the right direction. Best of all, the position is labeled entry level.

Then you keep reading.

“One to three years of experience preferred.”

Wait. What?

If you need experience to get an entry-level job, how are you supposed to get the experience in the first place?

It’s one of the most frustrating parts of searching for your first job or trying to break into a new career. But before you close that job posting and move on, it helps to understand what employers often mean when they use the words “entry level.”

Entry Level Doesn’t Always Mean Your First Job

Traditionally, an entry-level position was exactly what it sounded like: a starting point for someone entering an occupation or industry.

That’s still true in many cases, but the definition has become much broader.

Today, “entry level” often describes the level of the position within an organization, not necessarily the amount of experience a candidate has. It may be the first rung on a particular career ladder, even if the employer would prefer someone who already has some workplace experience.

That distinction matters.

A recent college graduate, someone completing a certification program, a veteran transitioning into civilian employment, or an experienced worker changing industries could all be candidates for the same entry-level position. They’re entering from different places, but each may have skills that translate to the job.

Experience Comes From More Places Than a Job Title

This is where job seekers sometimes sell themselves short.

When an employer asks for experience, your first instinct may be to look at your previous job titles. If you’ve never held the title they’re hiring for, you might assume you’re not qualified.

But experience isn’t limited to doing the exact same job somewhere else.

School projects, internships, apprenticeships, military service, volunteer work, part-time jobs, freelance projects, certifications, student organizations, community involvement, and previous careers can all help you develop useful skills.

Think about someone who worked in a restaurant applying for an office position. They may not have traditional office experience, but they’ve probably worked with customers, handled competing priorities, solved problems under pressure, communicated with a team, and learned to keep things moving during a busy shift.

Those are workplace skills.

The challenge is learning how to explain how they apply to the new opportunity.

“Preferred” and “Required” Aren’t the Same Thing

This may be one of the most important distinctions in a job posting.

If a position says two years of experience are preferred, that doesn’t necessarily mean candidates with less experience will be rejected.

It means the employer would like to find someone with that experience.

Job descriptions often describe an ideal candidate. Employers know the person they eventually hire may not match every qualification perfectly.

“Required” deserves more attention. Some jobs legitimately require specific licenses, certifications, education, security clearances, or technical abilities. A commercial driver can’t simply skip the commercial driver’s license requirement because they’re otherwise a great candidate.

But don’t automatically treat every bullet point in the qualifications section as a reason not to apply.

Read carefully. Separate the true requirements from the preferences, then look at the entire picture of what you bring to the position.

Employers Are Often Hiring for Potential, Too

Skills matter, but employers aren’t only hiring a résumé.

They’re hiring a person who’ll need to learn, adapt, communicate, solve problems, work with others, and contribute to the organization.

That’s especially important in entry-level positions.

An employer may be able to teach you its software, processes, equipment, or procedures. Qualities like dependability, curiosity, professionalism, communication, initiative, and a willingness to learn can be harder to teach.

That doesn’t mean technical qualifications don’t matter. It means your ability to demonstrate that you can grow into the role can matter alongside the experience you already have.

Your résumé and interview should help the employer make that connection.

Don’t Reject Yourself Before the Employer Gets a Chance

There’s a difference between being unqualified for a job and not being the imaginary perfect candidate described in a job posting.

If you meet the core requirements, understand the work, and can show how your skills and experiences connect to the position, consider applying.

Let the employer decide whether you’re a fit.

This is especially important when you’re entering the workforce, returning after time away, or changing careers. Your path may not look exactly like the one described in the posting. That doesn’t mean it has no value.

Sometimes the strongest candidate isn’t the person who has already done the exact job. It’s the person who can show they have the foundation to learn it and the motivation to succeed.

Your First Step Doesn’t Have to Be Your Final Destination

An entry-level job is exactly that: an entry point.

It can help you build experience, learn an industry, make professional connections, develop new skills, and discover what you want to do next.

You don’t have to know exactly where your career will take you before you start.

If you’re trying to enter the workforce or make a career change, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) can help you explore career opportunities, strengthen your résumé, prepare for interviews, identify training opportunities, and connect with employers across our nine-county region.

So the next time you see an “entry-level” position asking for experience, don’t immediately close the tab.

Read a little further.

You may have more experience than you think.