Why Entry-Level Jobs Are Vanishing and What Companies Must Do Now

The Disappearing Entry-Level Job

As millions of new graduates enter the job market, they face a frustrating paradox: they need experience to get hired, but they need a job to gain that experience. This situation is worsening, with 66% of hiring managers saying recent hires aren't fully prepared due to lack of experience. Meanwhile, many "entry-level" roles now require 2-5 years of prior experience, making it nearly impossible for young talent to break in.

Experience ≠ Readiness

We must challenge the assumption that experience or degrees equal job readiness. Human capabilities like empathy, curiosity, and problem-solving are more predictive of success than résumé bullet points. In the AI age, these skills are as crucial as technical abilities. Yet, hiring systems often filter out high-potential candidates who don’t meet arbitrary experience thresholds, disadvantaging career changers and self-taught professionals.

Strategies to Close the Experience Gap

1. Adopt Skills-First Hiring: Focus on demonstrated skills and learning agility, not just degrees or tenure.
2. Invest in Internships and Apprenticeships: These programs reduce underemployment and improve retention. 57% of employees want more on-the-job observation opportunities.
3. Use AI to Accelerate Development: AI can simulate real-world scenarios, helping early-career employees practice decision-making in low-risk environments.
4. Create Micro-Opportunities: Short-term projects and internal gig platforms allow employees to gain experience incrementally.
5. Empower Managers to Mentor: Only 13% of managers' time is spent on hiring and onboarding. They need training to mentor effectively.

From Experience Gaps to Opportunity Gateways

Gen Z is ready to contribute but often lacks access. By redefining readiness and leveraging AI and apprenticeships, companies can turn potential into performance and secure their future leadership pipelines.