History and scholarship
Becker (1964) distinguished general and firm-specific human capital; Doeringer and Piore (1971) described internal labour markets entered at the bottom. Jovanovic's (1979) job-matching theory explains moving after a poor first match; Topel and Ward (1992) the wage gains; Kahn (2010) and Oreopoulos et al. (2012) how recession graduates catch up by switching. Spence (1973) frames what experience signals.
Key points
Explaining prior experience as relevant is generally advised rather than hiding it; records may verify it. Laws, programmes, visa rules and hiring practice change; check official notices, current law and actual postings.
In practice
Prepare to answer 'why entry level again?' and compare with experienced hiring.
FAQ
- Must I list prior jobs?
- Follow the posting; false statements are risky.
- Is it a disadvantage?
- Experience helps, but address early-exit concerns.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- Becker, G. S. (1964). Human Capital. Columbia University Press (NBER).
- Doeringer, P. B., & Piore, M. J. (1971). Internal Labor Markets and Manpower Analysis. D. C. Heath.
- Spence, M. (1973). Job market signaling. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 87(3), 355–374.
- Jovanovic, B. (1979). Job matching and the theory of turnover. Journal of Political Economy, 87(5), 972–990.
- Topel, R. H., & Ward, M. P. (1992). Job mobility and the careers of young men. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 107(2), 439–479.
- Kahn, L. B. (2010). The long-term labor market consequences of graduating from college in a bad economy. Labour Economics, 17(2), 303–316.
- Oreopoulos, P., von Wachter, T., & Heisz, A. (2012). The short- and long-term career effects of graduating in a recession. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 4(1), 1–29.
- 고용24(고용노동부). https://www.work24.go.kr
- 국가법령정보센터. https://www.law.go.kr