Starting the first step of any journey can feel daunting and is often the most important one. You can always take a step back or sidestep, but hitting the ground running in your career is usually the best way to start.
There are a few ways to start your career; you don’t have to dive right in, but in this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at entry level roles, what they are, what they include, and how they compare to other potential starts to your career.
What does entry level mean?
Entry level, in any context, simply refers to something that is suitable for absolute beginners. It doesn’t require any prior experience, and training will usually be offered to equip you for the task.
While the term is usually used in relation to jobs, it can also be used to describe hobbies and projects.
What is an entry level job?
Your first role in any career plays a significant part in the trajectory of your career, which is why entry level roles exist to get you started.
An entry level role is designed to equip you with the skills necessary to progress through the ranks by gaining valuable skills and experience as a foundation.
While experience isn’t crucial, it can help you land an entry level role by setting you apart from someone with no experience in your chosen field.
What does an entry level job include?
An entry level job is no different from any other job, with your employer giving you relevant tasks that you are expected to perform to a high standard. The main difference is that these tasks usually do not carry the same level of responsibility and may be double checked by a more senior member of staff before they are implemented or sent to a client for example.
Starting an entry level role will allow you several key benefits, which include:
A foot in the door
By starting entry-level roles , you gain access to valuable networking opportunities and a chance to showcase your skills.
Less pressure
When you’re just starting your career and picking up skills, the last thing you want is the added pressure of wider responsibility within the company. An entry level role allows you to focus on doing your job well before taking on additional responsibilities.
Potential for progression
Getting your foot in the door and proving your skills is sure to get you recognition , meaning that you could be the first name on the list when the chance for promotion comes up.
Build your CV
Even if the opportunity for promotion doesn’t come up, an entry level role is a great way to add experience to your CV for future employers to see the skills that you gained during your first role.
Entry level job vs. graduate scheme
As we’ve mentioned, entry level jobs aren’t your only option when leaving university. Graduate schemes offer a great alternative if you’ve prepared to apply for them early.
What are the differences?
Entry level jobs are jobs that are catered to people with little to no experience. Anyone can apply for them and potentially be employed within a specific team for a specific role. Applications for entry level jobs are open year-round.
Graduate schemes, on the other hand, are designed for those who have recently completed their university degree. Applications for graduate schemes are cyclical and will usuallyopen in September, with a starting date for the following September.
What are the benefits?
Graduate schemes and entry level roles are slightly different and therefore offer slightly different benefits. Let’s explore both options in more depth.
Specialised or generalised
A graduate scheme can sometimes be rotational meaning they will have a successful applicant dip their toes into multiple different teams to give them a broader idea of the roles available within an industry, giving a more generalised approach. There is also usually an option for graduate schemes to be focused on one particular department, which is ideal if you already know what you want to do.
Entry level jobs tend to be more specialised, which is useful if you know exactly what position you want but may also limit your career by restricting your knowledge of the industry.
Application process
The application process for entry level jobs is almost identical to any other job, whereas applying to a graduate scheme is far more in-depth, allowing employers to get a real understanding of whether the role is right for you before they offer it. It’s not uncommon for the application process for a graduate scheme to span months. For more information about how to apply for a graduate scheme, take a look at our blog.
Salary
Because of the competitive nature of graduate schemes, they tend to offer higher salaries than entry level jobs, which generally have a less competitive application process.
Entry Level Job vs. Internship
Internships are also a fantastic option for those looking for experience, but there are pros and cons to this option.
What are the differences in roles and benefits?
Unlike an entry level role, internships are generallyshort-term , which is both a pro and a con. As it’s over a shorter period of time, you are restricted in terms of how much responsibility you will be given, however, it’s a great way to explore whether it’s the right career for you before committing long-term
At SEFE, we’re proud to offer our 10-week internships every other year, which are designed to be long enough to gain experience and a feel for the industry you’re working in.
At the end of the 10 weeks, you’ll present your learnings to the team, who will assess your eligibility for the graduate scheme for the following year.
You should now understand what an entry level role is, how it compares to both graduate schemes and graduate jobs, and which one you think is more suited to you. For more information on these topics as well as a range of others, head over to our blog page.
To find out more about careers at SEFE please visit our homepage. The views, opinions and positions expressed within this article are those of our third-party content providers alone and do not represent those of SEFE. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. SEFE accepts no liability for any errors, omissions or representations.
