What is the Meaning of Entry Level Position?

An entry level position provides an opportunity for a new hire to learn as well as earn.

According to BusinessDictionary.com, an entry level job provides bottom-level employment in a firm and usually requires ordinary-level education, training and experience. The recruit is given a position and given the opportunity to learn and gain experience. This type of position serves as a stepping stone for higher-level jobs, as the new hire is able to add the experience to a subsequent resume.

Work For All Ages

The new grad and re-trained worker are usually offered entry-level positions.

An entry-level position is appropriate for the individual who is inexperienced in a particular field of work or new to the job market. An entry-level employee could be an older person who may have been laid off from a former job and re-trained to gain the skills necessary for a new field of work. Entry-level positions are also commonly offered to new graduates, young and not-so-young, who must learn the routines of a company and apply book skills to the world of work.

Salary Expectations

The salary offered to entry-level workers is dependent upon the level of education obtained, as well as the nature of the work. Websites such as CareerBuilder.com or Salary.com allow the new worker to fill in information such as experience, education, position desired and industry type. Job applicants can then find out the median high and low salaries currently being offered for the position. Often, geographical location also influences the salary expectations. The salary tools named therefore show differences among company size and location as well.

Entry-Level Interview

It is common for the entry-level employee to be asked for salary expectations. Using the highest figure quoted in your salary search may not be the best strategy in job interview situations. Asking for the lowest going rate may also be unwise. The employer may wonder if you value your education and abilities as much as you should in order to be an effective employee. Asking for the median amount leaves the employer room for negotiation and the employee a better chance of actually being hired.

Researching the Company

A thorough look at the company for which work is available may reveal benefits and/or pitfalls that could influence the acceptance or rejection of an offered position. An entry-level salary may be low, but there may be opportunity for advancement within the company. Find out how long the probationary period is, as well as what benefits are offered and when.

Many publicly listed companies issue annual reports online. Check the company's past financial performance and expected revenues. Determine whether this company will grow or if there's a chance it could be nonexistent in a few years. All of these things may alter a prospective employee's decision when being offered an entry-level job.

Advancing Beyond Entry-Level

The best way to advance beyond the entry-level position is to treat the work as valuable and critical to the success of the company. Hard work is usually rewarded if the worker has a positive attitude. Willingness to tackle a task and complete it to the best of the worker's ability will be noticed, appreciated and rewarded with advancement. Performing small projects extraordinarily well is key to being offered greater responsibility and a higher rate of pay. The employee with a good employment record is the one who will be moved upward first from an entry-level employment job.

References

• Business Dictionary: Entry Level Job
• Your Dictionary: Entry-Level Definition

Resources

• Career Builder