Are you a "Junior" or "Senior"?
According to experts, not only years of service count when applying
Created: 11/18/2022, 1:00 p.m
By: Anne Hund
It is sometimes not that easy for applicants to find out whether they actually meet the requirements according to the job profile.
Career experts have advice.
Which position suits me?
When asked this question, applicants often come across the terms “junior” or “senior”.
For anyone not sure what career level they would place themselves at, the experts at
Indeed.com
have some advice.
According to an article on the platform, this is how the term “junior” is used to describe young professionals who have “either no experience at all or up to three years of experience on the job market”.
The experts concede that there is no binding classification for the concrete definition.
Nevertheless, there are a few factors that are "normally characteristic" of a junior position, as they explain on their website.
According to the career experts, what characterizes a junior position:
"Little professional experience (measured in years)
Working in a specific area of the company (unlike a trainee program)
Far less responsibility than a senior position
A lower salary than senior positions.”
Tips for applicants: Is a junior position suitable?
Applicants should find out who works in which roles in the company during a possible job interview.
(Iconic image) © picture alliance / Silas Stein/ dpa
These factors can serve as a guide.
According to the experts, however, in order to determine whether a position suits you in a specific case, you should also deal with the company itself.
For example, you should find out who works in similar roles in the company, what is required in the respective jobs and industries and which hierarchies are associated with which tasks.
Last but not least, depending on the role and professional sector, there are of course also significant differences in salary.
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What is the difference to the senior position?
If you want to apply as a "Junior", you should also clarify what the next career step would be.
Where is the borderline to “senior”?
As a rule, there is “a clear hierarchy” between junior and senior employees, according to the article on
Indeed.de.
"The latter have more experience, work more independently on their tasks and sometimes bear responsibility for other employees." In addition to training new employees, they are "usually responsible for brainstorming".
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A thorough look at job advertisements is worthwhile
When it comes to the question of what level you see yourself at, it is not least worth taking a thorough look at the job advertisements and the profile required therein.
Because “senior” does not automatically mean the same everywhere.
According to a report by the German Press Agency (dpa), Inga Dransfeld-Haase, President of the Federal Association of Personnel Managers, has the following advice: “Check the areas of responsibility and qualifications in the job advertisement.
Compare this with your CV.
If you find a fit, then I advise you to apply and clarify any outstanding issues in the interview,” says Inga Dransfeld-Haase.
In case of doubt, courage is required when applying.
"If the job advertisement is not very clear, I advise courage," advises the expert, according to dpa.
Throw your hat in the ring and clarify what the exact requirements are in the interview.”
