Looking for My First Career, but Every Job Requires 5 Years of Experience

You’ve graduated. You’re ready to make a little money  and finally move out of your parents house. Finally. You start applying for jobs only to find every “entry-level” posting demands 3-5 years of experience. How does that even make sense? 

Welcome to the paradox of getting your first job in today’s “experience required” economy. And since you’re just starting out, you don't have any experience to put on your resume. 

Getting My First Job in a Broken System 

If you’re trying to get a job right now, you’ve probably noticed how unrealistic the hiring world can be. “Entry-level” apparently means “has worked here before.” Job listings sound like wish lists for unicorns: five years of experience, a master’s degree and a willingness to work for entry-level pay. Sounds fun. 

And let’s not even get started on the unpaid internships that promise “great exposure.” Should we let them know that exposure doesn’t pay rent, buy groceries or cover the student loans? You’re stuck before you ever start. 

How to Start a New Career Without Experience 

Here’s the thing, though, most people don’t start with a perfect resume. Usually we start with nothing. They just start with potential. And potential grows when you have the right tools and opportunities to show what you can actually do.

That means looking for apprenticeships, paid internships or entry-level programs that focus on building skills, not just checking boxes. The goal isn’t to “get a job” right away.  

It’s to get experience that counts and leads to something better. Better yet, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get a job based on the skills you had just right now? 

The Irony of Experience Requirements for Entry Level Jobs 

Here’s the truth: everyone’s pretending they know what they’re doing when they start out. The difference between landing that first job and getting stuck in the cycle of rejection is finding ways to prove you can learn fast and deliver results. 

At the Unemployment Society, we like to say the real goal isn’t to eliminate unemployment, but to build an Employment Society. That’s where pepelwerk comes in.

With its AI Career Assistant, you can match your skills to real jobs, discover courses to boost your earning power, and get connected to employers who care about what you can do. Not just what’s written on your resume. 

The first step to getting your first career isn’t luck. It’s learning to work smarter, not harder and finding systems that value potential over years of experience.