What experience are required for junior/entry level positions? [closed]
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I have been perusing job adverts but many say nothing about the desired level of experience apart from the tech stack they're looking for.
What does junior and entry level mean in terms of skill requirements and experience?
If their only requirement is knowledge of particular technologies without mention of years of experience, how can I tell if this is suitable for me and what I need to learn?
careers websites
closed as off-topic by Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey Aug 8 '14 at 3:34
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, Michael Grubey
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up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I have been perusing job adverts but many say nothing about the desired level of experience apart from the tech stack they're looking for.
What does junior and entry level mean in terms of skill requirements and experience?
If their only requirement is knowledge of particular technologies without mention of years of experience, how can I tell if this is suitable for me and what I need to learn?
careers websites
closed as off-topic by Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey Aug 8 '14 at 3:34
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, Michael Grubey
2
Hi squarlson and welcome to The Workplace! Unfortunately, the "What should I do" type of questions like this are off topic here and likely to be put on hold/closed. I recommend that you edit your question to be more widely applicable so that it can avoid closure and attract some good answers.
– Ian Holstead
Aug 2 '14 at 0:54
2
is that better?
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 11:35
3
@squarlson I edited this to focus on your core question about junior level experience. The "years of experience" part is very well covered here but the other half of this question is great! Thanks for being willing to edit your question to be more clear and welcome!
– Elysian Fields♦
Aug 2 '14 at 12:47
This is so variable and dependant un industry the expectations for a junior doctor vs a trainee hairdresser are so wide
– Pepone
Aug 2 '14 at 13:34
My question specifically refers to front end web development, but this is not as clear after editing
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 13:40
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I have been perusing job adverts but many say nothing about the desired level of experience apart from the tech stack they're looking for.
What does junior and entry level mean in terms of skill requirements and experience?
If their only requirement is knowledge of particular technologies without mention of years of experience, how can I tell if this is suitable for me and what I need to learn?
careers websites
I have been perusing job adverts but many say nothing about the desired level of experience apart from the tech stack they're looking for.
What does junior and entry level mean in terms of skill requirements and experience?
If their only requirement is knowledge of particular technologies without mention of years of experience, how can I tell if this is suitable for me and what I need to learn?
careers websites
edited Aug 3 '14 at 17:22
asked Aug 1 '14 at 22:43
squarlson
5315
5315
closed as off-topic by Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey Aug 8 '14 at 3:34
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, Michael Grubey
closed as off-topic by Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, jcmeloni, Michael Grubey Aug 8 '14 at 3:34
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions asking for advice on what to do are not practical answerable questions (e.g. "what job should I take?", or "what skills should I learn?"). Questions should get answers explaining why and how to make a decision, not advice on what to do. For more information, click here." – Jim G., Garrison Neely, alroc, Michael Grubey
2
Hi squarlson and welcome to The Workplace! Unfortunately, the "What should I do" type of questions like this are off topic here and likely to be put on hold/closed. I recommend that you edit your question to be more widely applicable so that it can avoid closure and attract some good answers.
– Ian Holstead
Aug 2 '14 at 0:54
2
is that better?
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 11:35
3
@squarlson I edited this to focus on your core question about junior level experience. The "years of experience" part is very well covered here but the other half of this question is great! Thanks for being willing to edit your question to be more clear and welcome!
– Elysian Fields♦
Aug 2 '14 at 12:47
This is so variable and dependant un industry the expectations for a junior doctor vs a trainee hairdresser are so wide
– Pepone
Aug 2 '14 at 13:34
My question specifically refers to front end web development, but this is not as clear after editing
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 13:40
 |Â
show 4 more comments
2
Hi squarlson and welcome to The Workplace! Unfortunately, the "What should I do" type of questions like this are off topic here and likely to be put on hold/closed. I recommend that you edit your question to be more widely applicable so that it can avoid closure and attract some good answers.
– Ian Holstead
Aug 2 '14 at 0:54
2
is that better?
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 11:35
3
@squarlson I edited this to focus on your core question about junior level experience. The "years of experience" part is very well covered here but the other half of this question is great! Thanks for being willing to edit your question to be more clear and welcome!
– Elysian Fields♦
Aug 2 '14 at 12:47
This is so variable and dependant un industry the expectations for a junior doctor vs a trainee hairdresser are so wide
– Pepone
Aug 2 '14 at 13:34
My question specifically refers to front end web development, but this is not as clear after editing
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 13:40
2
2
Hi squarlson and welcome to The Workplace! Unfortunately, the "What should I do" type of questions like this are off topic here and likely to be put on hold/closed. I recommend that you edit your question to be more widely applicable so that it can avoid closure and attract some good answers.
– Ian Holstead
Aug 2 '14 at 0:54
Hi squarlson and welcome to The Workplace! Unfortunately, the "What should I do" type of questions like this are off topic here and likely to be put on hold/closed. I recommend that you edit your question to be more widely applicable so that it can avoid closure and attract some good answers.
– Ian Holstead
Aug 2 '14 at 0:54
2
2
is that better?
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 11:35
is that better?
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 11:35
3
3
@squarlson I edited this to focus on your core question about junior level experience. The "years of experience" part is very well covered here but the other half of this question is great! Thanks for being willing to edit your question to be more clear and welcome!
– Elysian Fields♦
Aug 2 '14 at 12:47
@squarlson I edited this to focus on your core question about junior level experience. The "years of experience" part is very well covered here but the other half of this question is great! Thanks for being willing to edit your question to be more clear and welcome!
– Elysian Fields♦
Aug 2 '14 at 12:47
This is so variable and dependant un industry the expectations for a junior doctor vs a trainee hairdresser are so wide
– Pepone
Aug 2 '14 at 13:34
This is so variable and dependant un industry the expectations for a junior doctor vs a trainee hairdresser are so wide
– Pepone
Aug 2 '14 at 13:34
My question specifically refers to front end web development, but this is not as clear after editing
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 13:40
My question specifically refers to front end web development, but this is not as clear after editing
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 13:40
 |Â
show 4 more comments
2 Answers
2
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up vote
6
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To me, "junior" implies anything from just graduated to less than 3 years. When I put out an add for a junior dev, I expect I'll have to "untrain" them before building them back up. The only thing I really want is that they've at least worked a little bit with the tech stack and have the ability to learn fast.
This contrasts with when I put out an ad for a Senior Dev. In those cases I expect full competency on the tech stack we're working with along with knowledge of how to solve the common corner cases.
What you should be applying for are jobs that list the skills you have. Even if they say "2 years" or whatever. Sometimes the hiring manager just throws a number out there because HR is asking for it. So it's best to let them decide if your work history is good enough for an interview.
If you don't apply then you aren't giving them the option to consider you... and you'll certainly not get the job.
When you put the ads do you also specify what kind of experience level you are looking for, or do you just assume people know what you just described when you say "Senior"
– Brandin
Aug 3 '14 at 11:50
@Brandin: Depends on what I'm looking for. For example, a SQL guy: 10+. A Dev: 5+ When reviewing a resume for a sr dev, I'm looking for at least 3 large projects (1 yr+) and multiple smaller ones (< 6 months). I don't consider someone to be Senior if they have 8 years experience on exactly 1 project; it's just not the same as seeing something from start to finish.
– NotMe
Aug 4 '14 at 18:13
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up vote
1
down vote
I'm not huge on the labels. I think calling someone a junior or a senior is a good way to falsely categorize the office and weight opinions where they need not be weighted. There can also be some flaring of egos for no good reason. Having said that, there are plenty of places who use the junior/senior tags well but not all of them do. We recently got a 'Senior Project Analyst', the qualifications? 23 years seniority, most of which was spent elsewhere. He hates the label too but this is what the company gave him. Absent from my email signature is the demarcation despite having spent over 5 years in supply chain related software development and going on 9 with the company so far.
I recently listened to a hanselminutes podcast, that had a ton of information in it about what you're asking. I would give it a listen.
Ideally, the J/S titles should denote levels of experience but as the industry changes, by the day if you're in the Javascript framework land the equation gets a bit hazy. Perhaps the best summary I can think of is a senior has made more mistakes than a junior (and learned from them). If you're fresh out of school doing a ton of work in open source and you get hired as junior under a 'senior' who's spent his career in non open source does the distinction really count when working on an open source project? There's some fundamental overlap sure, but the things I would look to a senior for...nuance and somewhat esoteric about a subject just wouldn't be there would it?
I would say look carefully at the qualifications being asked for in the posting. If you can speak and work effectively through them just apply. The company knows what it's looking for and if you don't cut it for them with 0 years or 10 years they'll let you know.
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
To me, "junior" implies anything from just graduated to less than 3 years. When I put out an add for a junior dev, I expect I'll have to "untrain" them before building them back up. The only thing I really want is that they've at least worked a little bit with the tech stack and have the ability to learn fast.
This contrasts with when I put out an ad for a Senior Dev. In those cases I expect full competency on the tech stack we're working with along with knowledge of how to solve the common corner cases.
What you should be applying for are jobs that list the skills you have. Even if they say "2 years" or whatever. Sometimes the hiring manager just throws a number out there because HR is asking for it. So it's best to let them decide if your work history is good enough for an interview.
If you don't apply then you aren't giving them the option to consider you... and you'll certainly not get the job.
When you put the ads do you also specify what kind of experience level you are looking for, or do you just assume people know what you just described when you say "Senior"
– Brandin
Aug 3 '14 at 11:50
@Brandin: Depends on what I'm looking for. For example, a SQL guy: 10+. A Dev: 5+ When reviewing a resume for a sr dev, I'm looking for at least 3 large projects (1 yr+) and multiple smaller ones (< 6 months). I don't consider someone to be Senior if they have 8 years experience on exactly 1 project; it's just not the same as seeing something from start to finish.
– NotMe
Aug 4 '14 at 18:13
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
To me, "junior" implies anything from just graduated to less than 3 years. When I put out an add for a junior dev, I expect I'll have to "untrain" them before building them back up. The only thing I really want is that they've at least worked a little bit with the tech stack and have the ability to learn fast.
This contrasts with when I put out an ad for a Senior Dev. In those cases I expect full competency on the tech stack we're working with along with knowledge of how to solve the common corner cases.
What you should be applying for are jobs that list the skills you have. Even if they say "2 years" or whatever. Sometimes the hiring manager just throws a number out there because HR is asking for it. So it's best to let them decide if your work history is good enough for an interview.
If you don't apply then you aren't giving them the option to consider you... and you'll certainly not get the job.
When you put the ads do you also specify what kind of experience level you are looking for, or do you just assume people know what you just described when you say "Senior"
– Brandin
Aug 3 '14 at 11:50
@Brandin: Depends on what I'm looking for. For example, a SQL guy: 10+. A Dev: 5+ When reviewing a resume for a sr dev, I'm looking for at least 3 large projects (1 yr+) and multiple smaller ones (< 6 months). I don't consider someone to be Senior if they have 8 years experience on exactly 1 project; it's just not the same as seeing something from start to finish.
– NotMe
Aug 4 '14 at 18:13
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
To me, "junior" implies anything from just graduated to less than 3 years. When I put out an add for a junior dev, I expect I'll have to "untrain" them before building them back up. The only thing I really want is that they've at least worked a little bit with the tech stack and have the ability to learn fast.
This contrasts with when I put out an ad for a Senior Dev. In those cases I expect full competency on the tech stack we're working with along with knowledge of how to solve the common corner cases.
What you should be applying for are jobs that list the skills you have. Even if they say "2 years" or whatever. Sometimes the hiring manager just throws a number out there because HR is asking for it. So it's best to let them decide if your work history is good enough for an interview.
If you don't apply then you aren't giving them the option to consider you... and you'll certainly not get the job.
To me, "junior" implies anything from just graduated to less than 3 years. When I put out an add for a junior dev, I expect I'll have to "untrain" them before building them back up. The only thing I really want is that they've at least worked a little bit with the tech stack and have the ability to learn fast.
This contrasts with when I put out an ad for a Senior Dev. In those cases I expect full competency on the tech stack we're working with along with knowledge of how to solve the common corner cases.
What you should be applying for are jobs that list the skills you have. Even if they say "2 years" or whatever. Sometimes the hiring manager just throws a number out there because HR is asking for it. So it's best to let them decide if your work history is good enough for an interview.
If you don't apply then you aren't giving them the option to consider you... and you'll certainly not get the job.
answered Aug 1 '14 at 22:59
NotMe
20.9k55695
20.9k55695
When you put the ads do you also specify what kind of experience level you are looking for, or do you just assume people know what you just described when you say "Senior"
– Brandin
Aug 3 '14 at 11:50
@Brandin: Depends on what I'm looking for. For example, a SQL guy: 10+. A Dev: 5+ When reviewing a resume for a sr dev, I'm looking for at least 3 large projects (1 yr+) and multiple smaller ones (< 6 months). I don't consider someone to be Senior if they have 8 years experience on exactly 1 project; it's just not the same as seeing something from start to finish.
– NotMe
Aug 4 '14 at 18:13
suggest improvements |Â
When you put the ads do you also specify what kind of experience level you are looking for, or do you just assume people know what you just described when you say "Senior"
– Brandin
Aug 3 '14 at 11:50
@Brandin: Depends on what I'm looking for. For example, a SQL guy: 10+. A Dev: 5+ When reviewing a resume for a sr dev, I'm looking for at least 3 large projects (1 yr+) and multiple smaller ones (< 6 months). I don't consider someone to be Senior if they have 8 years experience on exactly 1 project; it's just not the same as seeing something from start to finish.
– NotMe
Aug 4 '14 at 18:13
When you put the ads do you also specify what kind of experience level you are looking for, or do you just assume people know what you just described when you say "Senior"
– Brandin
Aug 3 '14 at 11:50
When you put the ads do you also specify what kind of experience level you are looking for, or do you just assume people know what you just described when you say "Senior"
– Brandin
Aug 3 '14 at 11:50
@Brandin: Depends on what I'm looking for. For example, a SQL guy: 10+. A Dev: 5+ When reviewing a resume for a sr dev, I'm looking for at least 3 large projects (1 yr+) and multiple smaller ones (< 6 months). I don't consider someone to be Senior if they have 8 years experience on exactly 1 project; it's just not the same as seeing something from start to finish.
– NotMe
Aug 4 '14 at 18:13
@Brandin: Depends on what I'm looking for. For example, a SQL guy: 10+. A Dev: 5+ When reviewing a resume for a sr dev, I'm looking for at least 3 large projects (1 yr+) and multiple smaller ones (< 6 months). I don't consider someone to be Senior if they have 8 years experience on exactly 1 project; it's just not the same as seeing something from start to finish.
– NotMe
Aug 4 '14 at 18:13
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I'm not huge on the labels. I think calling someone a junior or a senior is a good way to falsely categorize the office and weight opinions where they need not be weighted. There can also be some flaring of egos for no good reason. Having said that, there are plenty of places who use the junior/senior tags well but not all of them do. We recently got a 'Senior Project Analyst', the qualifications? 23 years seniority, most of which was spent elsewhere. He hates the label too but this is what the company gave him. Absent from my email signature is the demarcation despite having spent over 5 years in supply chain related software development and going on 9 with the company so far.
I recently listened to a hanselminutes podcast, that had a ton of information in it about what you're asking. I would give it a listen.
Ideally, the J/S titles should denote levels of experience but as the industry changes, by the day if you're in the Javascript framework land the equation gets a bit hazy. Perhaps the best summary I can think of is a senior has made more mistakes than a junior (and learned from them). If you're fresh out of school doing a ton of work in open source and you get hired as junior under a 'senior' who's spent his career in non open source does the distinction really count when working on an open source project? There's some fundamental overlap sure, but the things I would look to a senior for...nuance and somewhat esoteric about a subject just wouldn't be there would it?
I would say look carefully at the qualifications being asked for in the posting. If you can speak and work effectively through them just apply. The company knows what it's looking for and if you don't cut it for them with 0 years or 10 years they'll let you know.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I'm not huge on the labels. I think calling someone a junior or a senior is a good way to falsely categorize the office and weight opinions where they need not be weighted. There can also be some flaring of egos for no good reason. Having said that, there are plenty of places who use the junior/senior tags well but not all of them do. We recently got a 'Senior Project Analyst', the qualifications? 23 years seniority, most of which was spent elsewhere. He hates the label too but this is what the company gave him. Absent from my email signature is the demarcation despite having spent over 5 years in supply chain related software development and going on 9 with the company so far.
I recently listened to a hanselminutes podcast, that had a ton of information in it about what you're asking. I would give it a listen.
Ideally, the J/S titles should denote levels of experience but as the industry changes, by the day if you're in the Javascript framework land the equation gets a bit hazy. Perhaps the best summary I can think of is a senior has made more mistakes than a junior (and learned from them). If you're fresh out of school doing a ton of work in open source and you get hired as junior under a 'senior' who's spent his career in non open source does the distinction really count when working on an open source project? There's some fundamental overlap sure, but the things I would look to a senior for...nuance and somewhat esoteric about a subject just wouldn't be there would it?
I would say look carefully at the qualifications being asked for in the posting. If you can speak and work effectively through them just apply. The company knows what it's looking for and if you don't cut it for them with 0 years or 10 years they'll let you know.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I'm not huge on the labels. I think calling someone a junior or a senior is a good way to falsely categorize the office and weight opinions where they need not be weighted. There can also be some flaring of egos for no good reason. Having said that, there are plenty of places who use the junior/senior tags well but not all of them do. We recently got a 'Senior Project Analyst', the qualifications? 23 years seniority, most of which was spent elsewhere. He hates the label too but this is what the company gave him. Absent from my email signature is the demarcation despite having spent over 5 years in supply chain related software development and going on 9 with the company so far.
I recently listened to a hanselminutes podcast, that had a ton of information in it about what you're asking. I would give it a listen.
Ideally, the J/S titles should denote levels of experience but as the industry changes, by the day if you're in the Javascript framework land the equation gets a bit hazy. Perhaps the best summary I can think of is a senior has made more mistakes than a junior (and learned from them). If you're fresh out of school doing a ton of work in open source and you get hired as junior under a 'senior' who's spent his career in non open source does the distinction really count when working on an open source project? There's some fundamental overlap sure, but the things I would look to a senior for...nuance and somewhat esoteric about a subject just wouldn't be there would it?
I would say look carefully at the qualifications being asked for in the posting. If you can speak and work effectively through them just apply. The company knows what it's looking for and if you don't cut it for them with 0 years or 10 years they'll let you know.
I'm not huge on the labels. I think calling someone a junior or a senior is a good way to falsely categorize the office and weight opinions where they need not be weighted. There can also be some flaring of egos for no good reason. Having said that, there are plenty of places who use the junior/senior tags well but not all of them do. We recently got a 'Senior Project Analyst', the qualifications? 23 years seniority, most of which was spent elsewhere. He hates the label too but this is what the company gave him. Absent from my email signature is the demarcation despite having spent over 5 years in supply chain related software development and going on 9 with the company so far.
I recently listened to a hanselminutes podcast, that had a ton of information in it about what you're asking. I would give it a listen.
Ideally, the J/S titles should denote levels of experience but as the industry changes, by the day if you're in the Javascript framework land the equation gets a bit hazy. Perhaps the best summary I can think of is a senior has made more mistakes than a junior (and learned from them). If you're fresh out of school doing a ton of work in open source and you get hired as junior under a 'senior' who's spent his career in non open source does the distinction really count when working on an open source project? There's some fundamental overlap sure, but the things I would look to a senior for...nuance and somewhat esoteric about a subject just wouldn't be there would it?
I would say look carefully at the qualifications being asked for in the posting. If you can speak and work effectively through them just apply. The company knows what it's looking for and if you don't cut it for them with 0 years or 10 years they'll let you know.
edited Aug 4 '14 at 10:02
answered Aug 3 '14 at 20:02
Bmo
1,222717
1,222717
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
2
Hi squarlson and welcome to The Workplace! Unfortunately, the "What should I do" type of questions like this are off topic here and likely to be put on hold/closed. I recommend that you edit your question to be more widely applicable so that it can avoid closure and attract some good answers.
– Ian Holstead
Aug 2 '14 at 0:54
2
is that better?
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 11:35
3
@squarlson I edited this to focus on your core question about junior level experience. The "years of experience" part is very well covered here but the other half of this question is great! Thanks for being willing to edit your question to be more clear and welcome!
– Elysian Fields♦
Aug 2 '14 at 12:47
This is so variable and dependant un industry the expectations for a junior doctor vs a trainee hairdresser are so wide
– Pepone
Aug 2 '14 at 13:34
My question specifically refers to front end web development, but this is not as clear after editing
– squarlson
Aug 2 '14 at 13:40