What exactly is an entry-level job and should you consider taking one? Entry level careers were traditionally first jobs for new graduates or school leavers, giving them that all-important first step on the career ladder. But with so many people changing careers more often by choice or as a result of the uncertainty of today’s job market, entry-level careers are no longer just for the young. Whatever your age, an entry level position may not be what you had in mind, but it isn’t always as negative an option as you might think.

Forward looking companies should be prepared to take entry level candidates of all ages, because they recognize the fact that the population is getting older and people will have to work longer, in some cases well past current retirement age. In addition, there is a shortage of younger people – the ones who would previously have filled the entry-level jobs.

If you have had a fairly high powered job in the past and have to start near the bottom in a new career, it can be hard to take, but you should be aware of several things. You will gain an excellent grounding in a new field and you will be relieved of a lot of the responsibilities you had in your previous job. However, because you have a solid transferable skills – soft skills like the ability to communicate or work as part of a team, you’ll find that you have the ability to move more quickly towards your eventual goal within your new career. So although you may be starting at the bottom again, you are in a position to advance with speed.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that younger people aren’t in a position to move rapidly up the ladder. So don’t lose heart if you are just starting out. You will have gained transferable skills in many areas of your life outside work and can develop these to make progress on the job.

It’s important to find the right entry level job and in order to do this, you should start off by being clear about your ultimate goal. Of course, this may change with time and that is fine, but having a goal when you start out will help you to avoid getting stuck in a rut. Entry level jobs are great for learning the ropes, but you don’t want to stay in one for ever. So make your goal as possible, for example, if you want to move into management, you should decide which type of company and level of management you are interested in. Once you know where you are going, you need to find an efficient route to your destination. One option is to write down the goal, and move backwards asking yourself what you need to do to make each move necessary. This will give you a list of steps and you should research the jobs on offer and ask yourself, will this job enable me to reach the next step? You’ll need to be fairly flexible, allowing for potential changes in your own goals and you’ll have to be aware that whilst one company may allow you to take several steps in the right direction, you might have to move on if you want to climb the rest of the ladder.

Keep an open mind and you’ll find that there is more than one route to your goal. Be constantly on the lookout for alternatives. If a company looks like a good match, be sure to target your application to suit their requirements.

Whether you are just starting out in the world of work or beginning a new career, a little thought and some basic planning will increase your chances of getting the entry level career you want.

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