if you've looked for an entry-level job
recently you've probably run into this
frustrating problem a job listing is
labeled as entry-level but it also
requires having several years of
experience so how are you supposed to
get that experience if you can't get an
entry-level job this is often referred
to as the entry-level catch-22 it's a
fairly common issue but luckily there
are a number of steps you can take to
work around it at first glance it might
seem like you don't have all of the
experience or skills required by a job
listing however you may want to take a
second look it might seem like many of
these qualifications are set in stone
but employers are sometimes more
flexible with them than you might think
you can also use your cover letter to
emphasize the skills and experience you
do have and how they relate to specific
areas of the job listing but before you
apply ask yourself would I be able to
perform this job read over the Job
Description and see if you'd be capable
of performing its daily functions if it
sounds too complex or it requires
technical skills that you don't have you
probably shouldn't apply for it but what
if you meet some of the requirements but
not all of them in this case think if
you have any transferable skills which
are skills that you've previously gained
that can be applied to this new field
for example if you've held a job as a
cashier where you helped customers and
handle the cash register those could be
distilled to building customer
relationships managing money and
listening once you've identified these
transferable skills your cover letter is
the perfect place to explain them and
connect them to the job listing
the entry-level catch-22 can feel
discouraging and it's sometimes pretty
unfair the important thing is to stay
positive and keep applying to jobs good
luck Goodwill Community Foundation
creating opportunities for a better life