I applied to be a doorman but didn't get the job due to lack of experience. That surprised me; I thought it was an entry-level position.
Why this joke works
Entry Level Has Two Jobs
An entry-level position normally means a job intended for someone with limited professional experience. A doorman also works at a building's entry, turning the career label into a literal description of the workplace. Tell the rejection plainly and let the surprise sound sincere rather than annoyed. A short pause before “entry-level position” gives the employment meaning time to settle before the doorway meaning opens up for listeners.
A closer look
Lack of experience sets up a reasonable objection
The first sentence sounds like an ordinary hiring disappointment. Because “entry-level” commonly signals limited prior experience, the applicant's surprise seems justified even before the door meaning appears. “Position” then does extra work: it can name a job or suggest a physical station near an entrance. The joke is strongest when told as a calm misunderstanding, since frustration or outrage would distract from the applicant's deliberately literal reading of workplace language.
Fact behind the joke
Guest-service jobs often teach duties after hiring
Bureau of Labor Statistics guidance says entry-level concierge positions typically require a high-school diploma or equivalent, and concierges usually learn through on-the-job training. Their work may include making reservations, arranging transportation, suggesting local activities, and responding to guest requests. A traditional doorman and a concierge are not identical roles, but both operate around a building's welcome point—where “entry level” can describe both career stage and location.