Why do entry-level jobs need 3 years’ experience? This student-led guide breaks down job market gaps, uni misalignment, and how to gain experience without burnout.
“How can I get experience if every job already expects me to have it?”
We’ve both asked this while tweaking our CVs at 1AM, trying to make “helped organise the uni bake sale” sound like cross-functional operations management. Between group projects and figuring out Lagrange multipliers, we didn’t realise we were supposed to already have two internships and a professional network. Turns out, entry-level jobs today often mean one to three years of work experience. For graduates, it feels like trying to unlock a level we were never given access to.
This article is our attempt to unpack what’s going on. Why does every job application expect us to be halfway through a career we haven’t even started? And how can students like us break into the job market when the barriers are this high?
According to LinkedIn data, 35% of postings for so-called entry-level roles now require prior job experience. In industries like software and IT, that number jumps to over 60%, often asking for three or more years of relevant experience.
Internships have quietly taken the place of true entry-level roles. Companies now expect graduates to already have one, if not two, internships by the time they finish university. It used to be impressive. Now it is just expected.
Entry-level job requirements are creeping up while the roles themselves stay the same. We are essentially applying for mid-level jobs with a fresher CV.
We spent three years debating theories, memorising frameworks, and referencing sources in Harvard style. But the first time we had to write a professional email or speak in a meeting, we were completely lost.
There is a growing mismatch between what universities teach and what employers actually look for in entry-level jobs. We can explain Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, but most of us have no idea how to use Excel beyond “sum total.” We have dissected economic policy, but no one told us how to run a project or manage competing deadlines in a workplace setting.
According to recent surveys, less than 60% of graduates feel prepared for the workplace. And employers agree, stating graduates lack basic professional skills like communication, decision-making, and time management.
That’s not to say university is useless. It teaches critical thinking, research, and how to sit through three-hour lectures without falling asleep. But when it comes to building a resume with no experience, or knowing how to behave in a job interview, many of us are on our own.
Remember when entry-level meant learning by doing? A lot of those tasks are now done by software. According to the Institute of Student Employers, AI has boosted productivity by 66 percent. At the same time, the number of applications per graduate job has skyrocketed. On average, each role now receives 140 applicants, a 59 percent increase over last year.
That rise is partly because students can now use AI tools to apply for more jobs in less time. But so can everyone else. So even if you are qualified, you might be buried under a pile of AI-assisted CVs. Entry-level jobs are not just fewer. They are harder to access, more competitive, and often require professional skills most graduates have not been taught.
If you’re reading this and nodding in quiet frustration, you’re not alone. Getting your foot in the door shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. But here’s the good news — there are ways to start building real experience that actually counts.
We created Headstart, a platform offering free micro-internships for students. Whether you’re exploring different career paths, building up your CV, or just figuring out what you’re interested in, Headstart lets you gain hands-on skills in a low-pressure, flexible format.
