why is it so hard getting a job

[LaEden]

I’ve been working in recruiting for over a decade, and I can tell you the job market right now is genuinely tough for many people. It’s not just you. The biggest reason is the sheer volume of applicants per role. A single posting can attract 500+ resumes within 48 hours, thanks to easy apply features on job boards. That forces recruiters to rely on ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter candidates automatically. If your resume doesn’t contain the exact keywords from the job description, it gets binned before a human ever sees it.

Another major factor is the skill mismatch. Many industries are shifting rapidly – tech, healthcare, and manufacturing all require new competencies. Employers want someone who can hit the ground running, but few are willing to invest in training. Meanwhile, salary expectations have risen with inflation, but budgets haven’t kept pace, creating a standoff.

Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve seen in the past year:

Challenge	Impact on Job Seekers
Over 250 applicants per role	80% of resumes never read by a person
Automated screening	75% of qualified candidates filtered out by ATS
Skill gaps (e.g., AI, data analysis)	60% of hiring managers report difficulty finding candidates
Ghosting after interviews	40% of applicants receive no feedback at all

The truth is, you have to play the system. Tailor each resume to the job description, use the same language as the posting, and network before applying. Relying on submit-and-forget almost never works anymore.

[McTyler]

I’m a recent graduate, and I’ve sent out over 200 applications since June. I check my email every five minutes, but mostly I get automated rejections or nothing at all. It’s crazy how many entry-level jobs ask for 3–5 years of experience. How am I supposed to get experience if nobody will hire me? I’ve started cold messaging people on LinkedIn, but it’s exhausting. The whole process feels like a lottery.

[LeEmery]

After 25 years in marketing, I’m suddenly invisible. I know my stuff, but recruiters see my graduation year and assume I’m outdated. I’ve updated my skills, built a portfolio, and even learned new tools. But I still get the “we’re looking for a different fit” line. Age is a silent filter in hiring. They want someone younger, cheaper, and – honestly – easier to manage. It’s frustrating, but I keep pushing.

[EmersynRose]

I switched careers from sales to UX design last year. I thought my transferable skills – client management, project planning – would be a huge plus. But most employers only look for a specific degree or bootcamp certificate. I spent months building a portfolio and doing freelance projects for free just to get a foot in the door. Networking at local meetups eventually got me an interview, but the online application route was a dead end for me.

[VonJulian]

From the hiring side, I can say it’s equally messy. We get hundreds of applications for a single role, and 80% don’t meet the basic requirements. We’ve tried using skills tests and pre-screening questions, but those also reject good candidates who don’t test well. Honestly, the whole system is broken. We want to find the right person, but the volume and lack of genuine signals make it almost impossible. Both sides are frustrated.