This job market is broken beyond repair at this point.

22 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 2:58AM UTC

   I understand how you feel. I stayed at an overworked/underpaid job for over a year due to this. I am ready to aim for higher pay. Have you tried networking on LInkedin? Applying directly on company sites?

2. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 3:01AM UTC

   OP here: Yes to all. Job hunting should NOT be this damn hard.

3. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 12:21PM UTC

   Same

4. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 3:11PM UTC

   Agreed.

5. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 7:14PM UTC

   It's fine to blame the job market but have you looked inward? Perhaps the roles you are so qualified for have many qualified applicants. Take charge of your search by showing them why you are the best one for the job. Also employers and recruiters are vetting you. Are you vetting them too? Perhaps you dodged a few bullets? Think wisely about how to take blame out of your thinking and to move ahead with positivity. The job searches for good larger companies are taking 6-9 months these days.

   Pace yourself the right employer who will appreciate you IS out there.

6. Terry CostelloSeptember 5,2025 at 9:45PM UTC

   I totally understand, what you mean and are going through.

   I won't apply for a job if I feel that I can't contribute my years of experience and knowledge.

   I feel that I gave a superior interview, only to get an email saying that they appreciate talking with me about the job, but they are going to Persue other candidates

7. Lynne GuraSeptember 6,2025 at 12:16AM UTC

   me too.

   Sorry.

8. Stephanie Hutter-Thomas, PhD, CPH, RPSSeptember 6,2025 at 12:57PM UTC

   I'm in a very similar boat. I feel like I am in the twilight zone. Logically, I understand what is happening around us and the many variables at play....but the situation still has me stuck on stupid.

9. TriciaSeptember 6,2025 at 1:18PM UTC

   The pain is real and many people feel the exact same way. Part of the issue is employers aren’t stepping up and paying their good employees fair job market salaries. In turn, those good employees get fed up with a new hire coming in and starting at what they are making, which tends to make them feel underpaid. Then these good employees start to look elsewhere.

   Even internal promotions are a joke. Businesses putting their internal employees through hiring processes to compete with external candidates when they should’ve just promoted them. The hamster wheel of finding a new job is exhausting. It is all about who you know these days. Networking is key and asking around to people you know can be helpful.

   I know you feel deterred, but keep on it. Don’t slow your progress, it will just be another setback.

   Keep looking, send thank you emails to those who interviewed for the position. (Side note: mention in there a new idea or recap a couple of talents. Don’t sound desperate or defeated, even if you feel the interview went bad.)

   Possibly look at jobs that are similar to what you are doing but in a different field. Employers want good leaders and management.

   Try not to let this process get you down. You aren’t alone in struggling to finding a job. Remember you are qualified to do the job and focus on key points that boost your confidence in talking about yourself. You are going to get the job!! We are here for support!

10. AlishaSeptember 6,2025 at 2:49PM UTC

    Agree! I’ve applied for at least 30+ jobs over the last 2 years . And got the thanks but no thanks letter.

11. AnonymousSeptember 6,2025 at 3:31PM UTC

    Agree. Had some interviews and two didn't go past the first round, 1 was a ghost and another is either ghost or they're taking too long to move forward (so I'm assuming it's a ghosting situation since I followed up and they said they were still working on it).

    I realize employers also have a LOT of uncertainty as well but I am so sick of this, too.

12. AnonymousSeptember 6,2025 at 4:20PM UTC

    It is incredibly broken on so many levels. Between "ghost" job postings, having to make sure your resume has the right keywords for the automated software/applicant tracking systems, automated rejection emails (often within minutes or a couple days), candidates being put through the ringer with numerous rounds of interviews and (often unpaid) projects only to be rejected or ghosted, and just the sheer number of people applying and competing for jobs...I'm losing hope that it will ever improve. Gone are the days when you submitted an application online or via email and only had *one* version of your resume, and an actual person in HR would look at it and respond to you in a timely manner...you would get an interview, maybe have a second interview, and then get an offer. I hate it here.

13. Christine TalowskiSeptember 6,2025 at 10:28PM UTC

    the recruiters are useless. They should be required to let us contact the individuals that they say are so satisfied!

14. AnonymousSeptember 8,2025 at 1:06PM UTC

    I completely feel your pain. I have been looking for a year now......so frustrating. I either get no feedback whatsoever, or when I do it's your standard automatic response. And do not get me started with the ghosting and scamming......I honestly do not have much hope anymore.

15. AnonymousSeptember 8,2025 at 9:46PM UTC

    Things in the short-run are tied to political and economic factors, employers feel they’re in a position to call the shots, and while many are hesitant to cut back on salary, they appear more than willing to cut back on flexibility perks.

16. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 3:46PM UTC

    I've been looking since the end of 2023 and I still haven't found a job. I get rejections every week and I have applied to over 400 jobs. Sadly I am not even exaggerating. The industry I'm in has taken a very big hit with Ai, and the so called 'great' economy.

    I have had a very successful career with big titles and big salaries. My real problem has been is my age. I am from a young industry. Being 40 is considered 'old' and geezer age. I'm 57. I'm an ancient relic. Maybe I don't fit in anymore. It's too bad though, because as a people manager I believe I am an excellent option.

    I had given up on my industry for awhile and looked for a local job. My salary would be about 75% less but I still have bills to pay. If you don't fit all the exact experience then they pass me by. I thought a medical receptionist job would be ideal. But no- you have to speak English and Spanish and have a degree in suitable medical path. So much for 'transferable skills'. I've gone on a few interviews only be turned down time and time again. I'm confident people are intimidated by me. They don't see me as a solution to their problems and instead see me as a threat to their own job. It's so crazy.

    So, hang in there, and skip recruiters if you can.

    However, you probably shouldn't listen to me. I can't get anything to work either.

17. Rachel NSeptember 9,2025 at 4:50PM UTC

    ^THIS. I'm in almost the same exact boat at 54. Huge career, big titles, big salaries. Laid off in October 2023. Took a local nonprofit CoS role at <50% salary only to be let go from the most toxic environment I've ever heard of let alone witnessed because they "couldn't afford me" after screwing up their own budgets. Been looking since November 2024, applying for easily 3-5 *appropriate roles per week, roles I'm highly qualified for and/or have done before. Two interviews. One the hiring manager got on camera, got one look at me, I'm assuming guessed my age and mumbled through 30min of what was supposed to be an hour interview. Second one was promising but for local parks - I'm assuming they found someone with parks experience.

    People keep saying "it will open up soon." Problem is, "it," meaning the job market in my area of expertise, IS open - I apply for multiple jobs per week inside my skillset and experience level. The problem, I think (?!) is that employers are looking for absolute unicorns - exact skill match, perfect age, knows someone who knows someone important, will accept low-end salary - and they're finding them. So why take a chance on an old broad with immense, but transferable, skills and experience?

    Also, AI ATS systems can suck it.

    My hope for us all is that we are the unicorn for someone out there. Keep the faith.

18. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 5:08PM UTC

    I've become a pro at utilizing Chat GPT to nail ATS as much as possible. I believe it works, but it keeps going back to my age.

    I'm nearly at my wits-end. I'm going to see if I can get into some teaching.

19. AnonymousSeptember 11,2025 at 4:42PM UTC

    Hey! Stop bashing recruiters. Recruiters are usually in-house at companies. I manage a large team that is in-house. What you are talking about is AGENCY Headhunters that work on commission. They use resumes or profiles often of unsuspecting people as bait to get business. Some are definitely legitimate while others as this one that you describe are overly aggressive and might be working on a sales type of quota to keep their jobs. Don't bash my profession. Me and my highly respectable team are nothing like them. Education on the types of recruiters is here: https://toggl.com/blog/types-of-recruiters

20. AnonymousSeptember 11,2025 at 4:43PM UTC

    Read my response. Don't bash my profession!

21. AnonymousSeptember 11,2025 at 4:46PM UTC

    OP above. Stay positive and turn that toxic history into something fresh. As for your current manager you will be missed when she realizes you had so much value after you tell her bye when you get your GREAT new job!

22. AnonymousSeptember 12,2025 at 4:40PM UTC

    OP above, again there are different types. My comment was not that there aren't bad ones. Yes, I have met many bad ones and I am one but the type matters and what she describes is one that is external and working on commission to make a living. Over aggressive and pushy and not professional at all.