LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 850 million members worldwide. As a platform designed to connect professionals, LinkedIn aims to provide clarity into different career levels to help members navigate their professional journeys.
What criteria does LinkedIn use to define entry level?
LinkedIn does not have a formal definition of entry level. However, based on job titles and descriptions, LinkedIn generally considers entry level to encompass the following:
- Recent graduates – Candidates who have graduated from college/university in the past 1-2 years with little to no full-time professional work experience.
- First full-time role – Job seekers transitioning from part-time roles, internships, etc. to their first full-time position in their industry.
- Career changers – Experienced professionals switching to a new field or industry in a junior role to launch their career pivot.
- Apprentices/trainees – Individuals undergoing on-the-job training through formal apprenticeship or traineeship programs to obtain initial experience.
- Early tenure – Employees who have been in their role for less than 2 years, indicating they are still gaining foundational skills and experience.
While LinkedIn does not define an exact timeframe, entry level generally indicates 0-2 years of relevant professional experience based on these common markers.
How are entry level job titles classified on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn uses job titles on member profiles to infer career levels. Here are some of the most common entry level job titles across popular industries:
Tech
- Software Engineer – Entry Level
- Junior Developer
- Associate Web Developer
- IT Support Technician
Business
- Business Analyst – Entry Level
- Junior Financial Analyst
- Associate Consultant
- Assistant Account Executive
Healthcare
- Entry Level Nurse
- Nursing Assistant
- Physical Therapy Aide
- Dietary Aid
Retail
- Retail Sales Associate
- Cashier
- Stocker
- Customer Service Representative
Terms like “junior,” “associate,” “assistant,” “intern,” “aide,” “clerk,” “technician,” and “apprentice” typically denote entry level roles across various fields.
How does experience level factor into entry level classification?
While job titles provide a strong signal, LinkedIn also looks at the amount of experience members have in their positions and careers when inferring level. Some general guidelines:
- 0-2 years of full-time relevant work experience for recent graduates
- 0-1 years of experience for career changers in new roles
- 0-2 years in current role for those promoted internally
Education factors in as well. Roles requiring a university degree may classify candidates as entry level even if they have 2-3 years of experience to allow for internships and part-time work completed during school.
How do company, industry, location impact entry level?
The scope and complexity of roles at the same career level can vary based on:
- Company size – Large multinational corporations tend to have more complex entry level roles than startups and small businesses.
- Industry – Investment banking analysts often start with more responsibilities than entry level teachers, for example.
- Location – Entry level roles in developed markets like the U.S. and Europe may require more experience than similar roles in emerging markets.
While LinkedIn considers these factors, job title and tenure remain the primary drivers in determining entry level compared to peers.
How are career progression stages defined beyond entry level?
After entry level, LinkedIn groups early career professionals into two main stages based on experience:
Intermediate (2-5 years)
- Software Developer
- Business Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Registered Nurse
Experienced (5-10 years)
- Senior Software Engineer
- Consultant
- Senior Accountant
- Nurse Practitioner
After 10+ years of experience, members generally progress into advanced roles like principal, director, partner, VP, etc. However, progression varies significantly across industries and companies.
How can entry level professionals maximize their LinkedIn profiles?
Here are some tips for entry level professionals to showcase their experience on LinkedIn:
- Highlight relevant internships, part-time jobs, freelance work, volunteer work and extracurriculars.
- Include details on key projects, responsibilities, achievements and skills gained.
- Take LinkedIn skill assessments to showcase proficiency.
- Join relevant LinkedIn groups and follow influencers/thought leaders.
- Publish articles and content to demonstrate domain expertise.
Proactively engaging on LinkedIn helps entry level professionals expand their professional brands and discover new opportunities.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn does not have a formal entry level definition, it generally categorizes early career professionals with 0-2 years of full-time relevant experience as being at the entry level stage. Factors like job titles, company, industry and location also influence classification. Entry level members can showcase their capabilities and access more opportunities by actively engaging on the LinkedIn platform through their profiles, content and connections. With improved visibility and professional branding, LinkedIn serves as a valuable platform for those looking to launch their careers and progress to the next level.