Since when did "entry level" become "minimum of two years of experience"?

Nearly every single job ad that I see for an entry level tech position still says that they require at least two years of experience. It's frustrating to see "entry level" in the headline and then I read the requirements and they say "at least two years of experience", especially since I know that I’m easily capable of performing all of the job duties that most of these positions list.

How is a person supposed to break into the business when even the entry level jobs require at least two years of experience; I already have a degree in CIS, A+ certification, Network+ certification, CCNA, and MCSA, but apparently none of that can even land me an entry level job without at least two years of experience. I don't really think that getting any other certification will help me at this time if the ones that I already have can't overcome the experience requirement, so what else is a person without any professional experience supposed to do to break into the business?

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Comments

mikej412

Morty3 wrote: »

There is no real job experience, but experience still.

Rather than bother trying to verify "experience" listed on resumes that isn't associated with an employer, we usually just toss those resumes. Best case -- the job candidate is padding their resume. Worst case -- they are trying to mislead to get an interview.

Funny thing -- that's the kind of "experience" we like to hear about during an interview with the less experienced candidates.

larryheard

If they keep on abusing this, posted job position will loose relevance, wasting both the seekers and companies time and effort. Why just not keep it realistic and fair with everyone else. Besides hiring seasoned with 10 years experienced stuff for a position that is only good for entry level, these guys will get bored easily and loose quality then left then you'll start looking for another stuff which will pile up your cost again.

Morty3

mikej412 wrote: »

Funny thing -- that's the kind of "experience" we like to hear about during an interview with the less experienced candidates.

So, do it, dont list it, then tell it? :O

nel

JoJoCal19 wrote: »

I think one of the most overlooked ways to break into IT is through contract jobs. There are plenty of contract jobs to go around and even though it may not be what youre looking for exactly, its still experience. Im not sure where you live but with your degree and your certs you should be able to land something. Even if you have to start in a Help Desk job, its still a way in. You put in a year or so and you should be able to land a junior systems admin or junior network admin job easy.

Agreed. Contracting is an excellent way to get your foot in the door. Plus it can make you some good contacts along the way.

eansdad

Here is something to try....check your local school districts to see if they have substitute IT positions. That and your resume at some of the temp firms (Accu Staffing, Adecco, Adams Brown and such) such yield some good experience. Never know, you might catch on at the school or off a contract with a temp agency.

Turgon

phoeneous wrote: »

I partially agree. It all depends on what you did in those 2 years. I got lucky with my first IT job, it was pretty much handed to me by a headhunter. Small company, 100 users, 6 servers, a handful of Cisco gear. My job title was sysadmin and I became a sysadmin the sink or swim way. I was still going to school at the time and it was very fun to learn something one day and apply it the next. Needless to say, two years goes by and I thought I was hot stuff... I went to go work for a bank as a LAN Admin and those guys put me to shame! Sure I knew how to work with AD, Exchange, and Cisco but I didnt know it like a true Admin should know it. Ah the good ole' days when I used to question my worth...

Reminds me of my first job back in 1997. Definitely a great way to get experience. One of the problems these days is finding a job like that.