Entry-level and new grad roles: where to look, and the titles that hide them
Search the role with a level word such as new grad, entry level or junior, then search the titles that are early without saying so: coordinator, assistant, analyst, associate and titles ending in I, such as Analyst I. Graduate and rotational programs are built for new graduates. Read the requirements rather than the title: little or no required experience means an early role, whatever it is called.
What to search, by kind of role
Run the first search, then the others: each is a title employers commonly use for early-career roles in that kind of work. Read the requirements of each posting to confirm the level.
| Kind of role | Search first | Also search |
|---|---|---|
| Sales | entry level sales | sales development representative, business development representative, inside sales |
| Engineering, any field | graduate engineer | engineer I, associate engineer, engineering rotational program |
| Marketing | entry level marketing | marketing coordinator, marketing assistant, marketing associate |
| Data analyst | entry level data analyst | analyst I, junior analyst, reporting analyst |
| Software engineer | new grad software engineer | software engineer I, associate software engineer, university grad |
| Designer | junior designer | associate designer, design assistant, junior UX designer |
| Accountant | entry level accountant | staff accountant, audit associate, tax associate |
| Product manager | associate product manager | product analyst, product operations, rotational product manager |
| Project coordinator | project coordinator | project assistant, program coordinator, operations coordinator |
The early roles that never say so
Coordinator is an early-career job at most companies, yet coordinator postings rarely say entry level or junior in the title. The same is true of many assistant, specialist and analyst roles, and of titles that end in I, such as Analyst I or Engineer I, the first rung of a ladder. Search those titles without a level word, then read the requirements: one to two years, or no years at all, is an early role whatever the title says.
Graduate and rotational programs
Many large employers run programs built for new graduates: engineering and technology graduate programs, finance and operations rotational programs, audit and tax associate classes at accounting firms, and sales development programs. They often recruit months before the start date, sometimes in the autumn for the following summer, and hire in classes, so one posting can fill many seats.
Getting into product management
Associate product manager programs hire small classes, and many companies hire product managers only after another first job. If product is your goal, look at analyst, operations and customer roles at product companies too: they work next to product teams and are common first steps.
How Carir keeps a new grad search to early roles
On Carir's job board, a level word you type is a must. Search new grad, graduate, entry level or junior with a role, and the results are early-career roles: titles with words such as new grad, associate, junior or a trailing I, or postings the source marks as early career. Titles with senior, principal, director, head, vice president or chief are left out, and close calls are listed apart with what differs named.
Sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: What each occupation typically requires to enter, what it pays and how it is expected to grow.
Questions people ask
Which jobs hire new grads?
Many kinds: sales development, analyst, coordinator and assistant roles, staff accountant and audit associate roles, and graduate or rotational programs in engineering, finance and operations. Search with a level word, then the titles that are early without saying so.
Why are there so few associate product manager roles?
Associate product manager programs hire small classes, and many companies hire product managers only after another first job. Analyst, operations and customer roles at product companies are common first steps.
Is a coordinator role entry level?
Usually, though few postings say so in the title. Read the requirements: little or no required experience means an early role.
What does the I in Analyst I mean?
The first level of a job ladder, as in Analyst I, II and III or Engineer I and II. A title ending in I is usually an early-career role.
Try it on your own search
Carir finds the roles employers posted today, scores each one against your resume with the lines that earned it, and tailors without inventing experience. The free plan includes the job board and the tracker.