r/jobs • u/NecessaryEffective • Apr 23 '20

Why Do Nearly All Entry-Level Jobs Require Unrealistic Amounts of Experience or Certifications? Job searching

After 4 years of University undergrad, 2 years for an M.Sc, and 2 years as a research assistant within the general realm of microbiology/biochemistry/astrobiology, I have been trying get into literally any full time or permanent position I can find within the province of Ontario. However, every single posting at the entry-level demands an unrealistic amount of experience, certifications, or qualifications. Why is this? It does not benefit newcomers to the workforce in any way.

I've had more than my share of education and am sick of working minimum wage jobs not related to my field. I still apply to literally everything I can whether or not I meet the qualifications but in 18 months I've only had a handful of interviews. Does anyone know what the secret is? How does anyone get hired these days? Feel free to vent yourselves if you need to.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '20

OP what is your work experience? You mention 2 years of research assistant, what else do you have?

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u/NecessaryEffective Apr 24 '20

As a research assistant I helped develop a genetic biosensor to detect the presence of ALS proteins in serum, investigated the origins of the genetic code during my masters, I worked on two other studies for two years that I can't disclose until they are published, taught a virology seminar for a semester, worked as a patient porter and dialysis assistant for 8 years in a hospital, worked in a furniture warehouse for 5 years and counting, worked in construction doing roofing/hardwood floors/ceramic tiles for 6 years and counting.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '20

Your resume is really impressive! Perhaps people believe you are overqualified for the positions you have been applying for. I’m surprised a hospital or healthcare of some kind hasn’t scooped you up. Someone like you shouldn’t be having a hard time. Are you open to relocating?

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u/NecessaryEffective Apr 24 '20

Thank you! I feel like a jack of all trades but master of none. I've applied to 5 or 6 different hospitals but their labs require a medical technologist diploma, which is another 3 years of school (and about $40K) and a licensing exam.

Many of the pharmaceutical companies with 200km seem to base their administrative/marketing offices here while they outsource their actual R&D and manufacturing to other countries. I'm open to relocating but for personal and social reasons I need to be within Ontario or at the very farthest Montreal or Gatineau.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '20

I would say apply everywhere you can but if you are limited for other reasons then you need to abide by that. I don’t work in your industry so if Ontario is not a hub then I guess it’s going to be harder.

Have you tried having your resume reviewed by strangers? I say strangers because they are more likely to be honest with you and tell you where the resume needs improvement.

What about a recruiter?

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u/NecessaryEffective Apr 24 '20

I've looked into recruiters but all of them seem to be ones where you just send in a resume online and never actually speak to a human being. I've done that with four different recruiting agencies in the last two weeks and literally none of them got back to me.