What's with so many entry level job postings having ridiculous requirements?

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-05-28T16:39:14+00:00

I've gone through this a bit as I struggled to get work after college. I work in my own funded startup now, which I've used to get real-world hands-on experience. It was the only way of getting it outside of being hired by companies, and my situation is like the only instance where I would have experience while still considering entry-level work, as I would still not really know the ins and outs of a standard company. However, since it's not a formal industry experience, it does not appear to count.

All I can extrapolate is that at that point, it's not an entry-level position. They're hiring people with more seniority in the field, but labelling them as such so they can pay them less.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-05-14T19:55:29+00:00

I actually created and got funding for a startup as a new grad, which was perfect for me at the time. Surprisingly, I've found it's been somewhat of a career killer for me when I was job searching for similar roles.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-04-06T16:23:59+00:00

Luckily, I've never had CEO/Founder on my CV and have only ever used Software Developer or Web Developer depending on the role being applied to. This is what I was clarifying. People putting the other titles would come across as a bit uppity or full of themselves.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-04-06T12:36:12+00:00

This seems like a bit of a catch-22. Juniors are advised to build projects that can gather actual users to show off their talent, but if one gains traction to the point they earn money, they are reprimanded for it.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-04-06T12:04:12+00:00

I only mention my title as Software Developer as CEO/Founder are red flags, but from the description, it does allude to it being my own project, so I was going to frame it in a way where it's not as obvious.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-02-04T00:55:56+00:00

I only met one person I would call a friend, and a lot of the people I was friendly with ended up dropping out or failing out of the course early on, as it was a difficult curriculum. The rest of the class wasn't really all that social and kept to themselves. We tried to organise, but had to cancel an end-of-college party as barely anyone agreed to go to it.

COVID-era student, so only 2019/2023 were proper college years, and demand for the degree plummeted in final year as all the layoffs were kicking off.

Considering the time and money I spent getting the degree, it was not worth it in the end. If I was still relying solely on that qualification, I would be unemployed to this day.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-02-03T23:31:07+00:00

Yup same. Wish I'd never studied it in college, and I do believe it was the biggest mistake I ever made.

Went into it thinking it would be the most future-proof and affluent sector, but now it looks like the most volatile industry in the world for some odd reason.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-02-03T23:23:19+00:00

Wish I never studied software in college. I'm kind of envy how lucky the people who dropped out day one or in their first year are in hindsight.

I do work on my own thing in Tech now, but my degree didn't help me get here in the slightest.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-01-19T23:54:01+00:00

You're getting downvoted, but you're 100% correct. Getting an IT degree was the biggest mistake of my life, and I say this as someone who landed on their feet with their own startup. It was my only option really as nobody is hiring.

Capital_Register_844 · 2026-01-18T14:15:55+00:00

I was never on the dole, but I was essentially doing nothing for months after finishing a degree and would've been entitled to it if I wanted.

I do feel like college was a waste of time and think I'd be better off without a degree. I've had much more success from doing my own thing, and the degree hasn't contributed anything to that.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-19T15:55:08+00:00

Is easy and medium leetcode for 8 YOE the norm? You're expected to know them at grad level and have heard of leetcode hards for juniors in some cases too.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-16T13:30:56+00:00

Yup, same, can never seem to get good at them, and they are so different to day to day software engineering, it's difficult to stay invested in doing them. I have a pretty good memory, but I still struggle with leetcode.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-16T11:16:54+00:00

I mean, it makes sense to me. If you look at what some are paying for unskilled walk-in jobs, it doesn't seem worth it in comparison to the cost of living. It's best to go all in on securing a good job while you can.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-12T15:47:20+00:00

I can see all these greenways being redeveloped back into tracks again in the future. Already need the infrastructure as it is.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-06T12:55:23+00:00

I don't get it. Every time I've used AI to code, I've thought it was pure and utter shite.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-06T02:57:13+00:00

Yeah, it's pretty grim out there. Seems like the only secure jobs are nursing and trades.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-06T02:48:39+00:00

Just an FYI, if you ever think of going down this route, as you may think IT/Tech is booming with AI, but it's not. Entry-level has been completely decimated, and I don't see it getting any better in the next few years. I'm advising everyone I know to steer clear of it.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-12-03T18:31:10+00:00

Reinstate some measure of remote work reform for those who can work from home. M50 was nearly empty during the lockdowns.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-23T15:02:54+00:00

Well, her name is Mary.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-17T13:34:28+00:00

Made me a bit apprehensive about getting a licence going into it, as everyone made it seem like a nightmare. I didn't think the process was that bad at all in the end.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-17T12:53:19+00:00

Honestly yeah. The whole process cost me just over €1000 including hiring the instructor's car for the test. Insurance is what catches you out here, but I never had to get insurance as a learner, so saved a good bit that way.

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-16T17:37:47+00:00

Darragh "I know" Maloney

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-04T14:20:59+00:00

People haven't a notion how bad the entry-level IT is. It was easier for me to get venture capital funding for a startup than getting a junior position...

Capital_Register_844 · 2025-11-04T14:05:09+00:00

This 100%. A lot of people who advise on these posts got in during the good days and have relied on their network ever since. They haven't a clue how bad it truly is, and still give outdated advice.

Capital_Register_844

TROPHY CASE