If it’s an entry-level role, shouldn’t you be able to just… enter?
It can feel frustrating when you’re ready to take your first step, but the adverts you’re seeing still ask for one or two-years’ experience.
And you’re not imagining it. 51.3% of 'entry-level' roles in the UK actually require some level of prior experience, and the average listing asks for around 1-3 years.
But here’s the good news: 'experience' often doesn’t mean what you think it does.
What employers really mean by 'experience'
Sometimes '1 - 2 years’ experience' is just copy-and-paste wording that hasn’t been tailored.
Don’t let that put you off hitting apply.
What counts as experience...and it’s more than you think
Internships or placements
Part-time or temp work
Volunteering or side projects
University societies, sports teams, or event organising
Creating content, running a project, or even managing your own hustle
Short online courses, volunteering, or even creative projects
These aren’t ‘just hobbies’ - they demonstrate initiative, teamwork, and practical skills that employers value.
Pro tip:
If you’re applying for entry-level roles, don’t count yourself out too quickly.
The right company will be more interested in what you can bring, and how eager you are to grow - so shout about your transferable skills, talk about your motivations, and keep building while you search.
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About Handle Recruitment
We opened the doors in 1978 and built our reputation in the music industry. We quickly realised that a great brand is not always a household name. A great brand is something people connect with, not just a place they work. Somewhere that helps them become better at what they do. It could be a record label, it could be in media, it could be a tech start-up.
Supporting Great People in Marketing | Finance | HR | Office Support | Sales | Legal | Event Operations | Post-Production.
The Talent Solutions we provide, Permanent, Temporary and Interim Recruitment | People Consultancy | Outsourced Freelancer Payroll & Compliance.
The Industries we support: Music | Film | TV | Entertainment | Fashion | Live Events | Sport | Publishing | Post-production.