What is an associate job level?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

An associate job level can be entry-level, or it can require a bit more experience. Typically, an associate job is entry-level, and as such, requires minimal experience. There are, however, significant and numerous exceptions to this.

As such, it is important to fully understand the responsibilities and qualifications for an associate position that you choose to pursue.

As an example, the title of associate at a law firm may require extensive education and qualifications. Conversely, an associate at a grocery store often does not need to be a high school graduate.

To complicate matters, it is not unusual to see job titles such as "senior associate." Titles such as these seem oxymoronic. However, they are standard in some industries. This is why understanding the responsibilities of the individual position may be more productive than researching the associate title.