Some of you may know I have been looking for work. Ive been dropping resumes since May, lots of them, and Ive only had three interviews with a fourth today. My resume is pretty strong. It was based off of a professional created resume I paid for and then later run through a resume AI service to help spruce it up to get it through the AI scans many companies are using to weed out applicants. In years past, pre-2022, I would drop maybe 5-10 resumes and have interviews scheduled with damn near all them. In 2024 I have put out over 200 and secured just 4 interviews.
Now that the context is out of the way.
One thing I have noticed when dropping these resumes, specifically through LinkedIn, is that almost every single posting LinkedIn reports over 100 applicants for the position. I dont know how much that means to you all in practice. What this confirms, beyond the shadow of a doubt, is that a fuck ton of people are either out of work or anticipating to be so very soon. Everyone is flooding the job market trying to secure their next role. The problem is that clearly there arent enough roles to actually apply for, so we are all applying for the same jobs.
This "over 100 applicants" thing is also only something you see on LinkedIn and would not account for a company who has also posted on other sites such as Indeed or Zip Recruiter. The real number could be 200, 300, 500, who the hell knows.
Some other things Ive noticed are what are called "ghost jobs". Basically companies are posting for jobs they have zero intention to fill. I personally know of two other companies that do this regularly and have for nearly two years because they want to appear to their investors that they are in a growth cycle. Two of the interviews Ive had they were also clearly looking for a unicorn, someone who is top to bottom perfect for the role, at least in their eyes. I see shit like "requires 10-15 years experience in xyz". Who the hell are these people that have that much experience and need to beg for a job in a lopsided job market? I sure dont know who they are.
I suppose I am just venting to some degree here. But I think its important to share a real life experience so that when you hear shit about how jobs numbers and the economy is doing well, know that it is not. It would appear to me that we have a different type of recession going on that isnt just affecting the lower and middle class, but affecting the upper middle and upper class and its begun to hamstring their ability to grow their organizations.
I think its important to remember what Ive said above when it comes to voting as well as when hearing from your inner circles about the struggles they may be having. Its very real. The job market is totally fucked right now and if something doesnt change fast things are going to get real hairy in this country.
Now that the context is out of the way.
One thing I have noticed when dropping these resumes, specifically through LinkedIn, is that almost every single posting LinkedIn reports over 100 applicants for the position. I dont know how much that means to you all in practice. What this confirms, beyond the shadow of a doubt, is that a fuck ton of people are either out of work or anticipating to be so very soon. Everyone is flooding the job market trying to secure their next role. The problem is that clearly there arent enough roles to actually apply for, so we are all applying for the same jobs.
This "over 100 applicants" thing is also only something you see on LinkedIn and would not account for a company who has also posted on other sites such as Indeed or Zip Recruiter. The real number could be 200, 300, 500, who the hell knows.
Some other things Ive noticed are what are called "ghost jobs". Basically companies are posting for jobs they have zero intention to fill. I personally know of two other companies that do this regularly and have for nearly two years because they want to appear to their investors that they are in a growth cycle. Two of the interviews Ive had they were also clearly looking for a unicorn, someone who is top to bottom perfect for the role, at least in their eyes. I see shit like "requires 10-15 years experience in xyz". Who the hell are these people that have that much experience and need to beg for a job in a lopsided job market? I sure dont know who they are.
I suppose I am just venting to some degree here. But I think its important to share a real life experience so that when you hear shit about how jobs numbers and the economy is doing well, know that it is not. It would appear to me that we have a different type of recession going on that isnt just affecting the lower and middle class, but affecting the upper middle and upper class and its begun to hamstring their ability to grow their organizations.
I think its important to remember what Ive said above when it comes to voting as well as when hearing from your inner circles about the struggles they may be having. Its very real. The job market is totally fucked right now and if something doesnt change fast things are going to get real hairy in this country.
