Entry Level vs. Junior

You've surely come across terms like "junior" and "entry level" in the IT industry. Although these terms don't sound too enigmatic, many people have trouble distinguishing between them, which can sometimes lead to unpleasant situations, like an argument on the internet. However, thanks to this article, you should be able to avoid an even more unpleasant situation - losing an argument on the internet. :)

"Junior" and "entry level" in IT - what's the difference?

When looking for a job in the IT industry, you'll certainly come across the terms "junior" and "entry level." While both refer to individuals who are just starting their professional careers, there are certain differences between them. "Entry level" is a position for a fresh graduate who is just beginning their adventure in the IT industry and has no professional experience yet. Meanwhile, a "junior" is someone who already has some professional experience, but is still at the beginning of their career path, usually with less than 2 years of experience.

Requirements for an entry-level position

The requirements for an entry-level position may vary depending on the industry and company, but typically a degree in IT, such as computer science or electronics, or knowledge at the level of graduates in such fields, is required. Additionally, employers may expect candidates to have knowledge of basic programming languages, such as Java or Python. For international companies, English proficiency will also be necessary.

Requirements for a junior position

These can vary (and they definitely do) depending on the industry and company. Generally, employers will expect candidates to have at least a year of professional experience, specialized knowledge, programming skills, and foreign language proficiency. People at the junior level may be responsible for projects that they will carry out under the supervision of senior specialists. They are expected to be more independent than at the entry level.

Recruitment process for an entry-level position

The recruitment process for an entry-level position may include CV analysis, an interview, and skill tests. Employers will want to know your experience, education, and motivation to work in the IT industry. Your English language skills will usually be checked during the initial conversation with the HR department.

For candidates for an entry-level position, it is also important to show their skills, interests, and passion related to the IT industry, as this increases their chances of getting a job.

Recruitment process for a junior position

The recruitment process for a junior position is very similar to that for entry-level. However, here, your practical skills are more verified, you can expect many questions about your previous projects, and there is a good chance that they will be discussed on the spot during the interview. Of course, theoretical knowledge questions will also appear, but there won't be as many as in entry-level recruitment.

Financial difference between entry-level and junior

The financial difference between entry level and junior can be significant, as a junior level person already has some professional experience and can be more productive. At entry level, I wouldn't expect earnings to be a five-figure number, so when transitioning to IT, people who earned decent money provide themselves with a financial cushion to more easily survive this initial period in the industry.

Non-commercial experience and portfolio and chances for a junior position

As I mentioned earlier, the requirements for a junior position vary depending on the industry and company. Therefore, it is important to remember that non-commercial experience, such as projects carried out independently or as part of studies, and a good portfolio can help a candidate get a junior position, even if they don't meet the required year of professional experience. So, if you have any interesting projects, be sure to prepare them and show them to a potential employer to stand out from other candidates. Take care of professionalism in your code, explain what happens at each stage of the code, and try to stick to using English for naming functions, etc.

Summary

In conclusion, if you are a beginner in IT, you may come across terms like "entry level" and "junior." Entry level is a position for fresh graduates without experience, while junior is already a person with some experience, but still at the beginning of their career. The requirements for these positions differ, but mainly employers want to know your skills and experience. Remember that a good portfolio and non-commercial projects can help you get a job, even if you don't meet the experience requirements. And don't forget, the most important thing is how much you are engaged in developing your skills and continuous learning.

From my personal experience, interviews at the entry level are much more difficult than for a junior position. Googling the questions asked during job interviews for an entry-level tester position, it turned out to be knowledge at the "upper-intermediate" level. Unfortunately, these were very intense job interviews, where 2 or 3 people could ask about increasingly complex things in turn. Interviews for a junior position, on the other hand, were much more focused on who I am and what I can do, usually with many questions about my portfolio and only after discussing this, questions