Finding a job abroad without prior experience is becoming increasingly difficult. Learn about the current obstacles and practical solutions for starting an international career. The days when one could confidently apply for a junior position without experience are over. Several surveys highlight a growing trend: job postings for "entry-level" roles increasingly require a few years of experience. It's a paradox鈥攈ow are fresh graduates expected to gain their first professional experience if even beginner roles demand one? The issue becomes even more complex for young people looking to move abroad, where they must also prove their worth beyond national borders.
What is a junior position?
As the term "entry-level job" suggests, a junior position is intended for candidates with no prior experience in the role for which they are hired.
For years, the recruitment of beginners followed a standard model: fresh graduates or first-time job seekers would secure a junior role, gain experience, and grow within a specific sector or company. This system allowed employers to train new hires from the ground up while building a pipeline of skilled workers for internal advancement. Today, however, the definition of "beginner" has changed significantly.
Rising expectations for experience and skills in entry-level jobs
A report cited by reveals that 35% of jobs labeled as "entry-level" now require at least three years of experience. A quick look at listings on LinkedIn or Indeed confirms this: prior experience is often non-negotiable.
At the same time, a survey by the shows that more companies are shifting toward skills-based hiring rather than focusing solely on degrees. Employers increasingly value a graduate's ability to solve real-world problems and collaborate in teams鈥攃ompetencies typically gained through prior work experience.
The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation
While AI and task automation aren't solely responsible for the decline of truly entry-level positions, they play a significant role.
The reality is unavoidable: automation is eliminating many repetitive, low-skilled jobs. In accounting, for example, bookkeeping tasks鈥攕uch as recording financial transactions鈥攈ave been reduced thanks to software that processes and verifies financial documents.
In journalism and content creation, AI-generated articles and marketing texts are replacing the need for junior writers and creators. Similar trends are emerging across many functions that were traditionally assigned to inexperienced entry-level workers.
The IT sector is especially affected
The demand for prior experience in so-called "entry-level" roles is particularly high in the information technology sector. Just a few years ago, young graduates could relatively easily secure a job at a tech company. Today, however, 94% of employers in this field require entry-level applicants to already have work experience, according to a .
Genuine junior positions appear to be vanishing, as illustrated by the experience of a 2023 : 鈥淚'm applying for junior entry-level web jobs (full stack, backend, or frontend), and I do have experience with some full stack languages/frameworks 鈥� but only through personal projects. I can't land a real job that counts as work experience. I've seriously considered switching careers. Honestly, I don't know what to do anymore. Most job listings ask for at least 5 years of experience. The issue isn't the languages or frameworks 鈥� it's the lack of professional experience. I feel like I'm wasting my time.鈥�
Tips for fresh graduates aiming to work abroad
What can you do if you're searching for a junior position and hoping to kickstart your career overseas?
Combine studies with relevant work experience
Practical experience has always been valuable 鈥� and today, it's essential. Gaining work experience before officially entering the job market is a smart move.
Internships are the most common route and are often mandatory in many academic programs. But there are other options as well.
In Germany, for instance, students can take on 鈥溾�� roles, which allow them to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during vacations. These positions often span several semesters, providing more in-depth experience than a short-term internship. German employers are familiar with the "Werkstudent" status and consider these students a strong recruitment pool.
However, keep in mind that the Werkstudent position differs from a typical student job, which is usually unrelated to one's field of study. Werkstudenten work in roles closely tied to their academic background, giving them highly relevant career-building experience.
Study abroad for one or more semesters
Spending a semester or more abroad remains a strong strategy for building an international career.
Demonstrated experience outside your home country is a valuable asset for any future career.
Even as an international student, start building your local network and connections while abroad. Never underestimate the value of a strong professional network.
Aim to secure an internship during your exchange program. Focus on developing language skills and, if possible, earn an official language certification. For recruiters, it remains one of the most widely recognized indicators of meaningful international experience.
Use a Working Holiday Visa to gain local experience
Looking for meaningful professional experience abroad without needing 2鈥�3 years of prior work history? A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) might be the answer.
Around 60 countries offer WHV agreements (a full list is available online). The main eligibility criteria typically include being between 18 and 30 years old (or 35 for some countries), holding a return ticket, showing proof of sufficient funds, and having valid health insurance.
Although WHVs are time-limited, they provide an excellent opportunity to gain international experience without relying on employer sponsorship 鈥� a process that often involves complex immigration procedures.
Some people use the WHV primarily to travel and take on casual jobs. Others, however, leverage it to gain career-relevant experience aligned with their professional goals.
Target countries facing skills shortages
Despite the growing emphasis on experience, many countries face shortages of skilled workers in specific sectors. One of the most effective strategies is to focus on countries experiencing labor gaps in your field.
Healthcare, education, and engineering are among the most in-demand areas.To identify these opportunities, consult official government websites 鈥� such as immigration or labor ministry pages 鈥� which often publish lists of high-demand occupations. You can also refer to reports by international organizations like the OECD or turn to expat forums and global recruitment firms for additional insights.Other paths are worth exploring as well 鈥� such as freelancing, remote work, or volunteering. When presented effectively, these can all be recognized as valuable professional experience.
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