Do You Feel Invisible in Your Job Hunt?
Originally published February 24, 2023
If you’ve been hearing these phrases a lot lately: “Just keep applying to as many positions as you can,” “the right job will find you,” or, “remember to follow up after applying!” and feel like they’re futile, you’re not alone. A majority of unemployed job seekers in America are experiencing “ghosting” from companies they apply to- even when they have all the qualifications, follow up, and are proactive. The discouragement of being ignored by potential employers can lead to job hunting burnout. Most applicants just want to know what they need to do to be seen.
Grace (name has been changed upon request by interviewee), a recent grad from University of San Diego, has had quite the job hunting journey since completing her masters program in spring of 2022. Shortly after receiving her degree, it felt like the world was full of opportunities and she was ready to provide her skills for a meaningful career. After seven months of applying, it was beginning to seem useless. She felt like she had all the right connections, qualifications, certificates, volunteer work, and an active business social media page which should’ve all been eye-catching to employers. Instead, she had three month long interviews with four separate people and only ended up being ghosted in the end. For about 85% of her applications, she didn’t hear back at all, not even a follow up, or a rejection email. Grace wondered if it was bad timing for job openings? Or perhaps the job market was at its worst? She learned that many of her former peers and friends shared similar feelings about feeling invisible in their job search.
A 2021 survey showed that 77% of job-seekers had been ignored completely by potential employers immediately after applying or at some point during their interview process. Even in the first couple months of 2023, the current candidate trends are not much more hopeful. A 2023 survey shows that 34% of job-seekers still feel like they’re completely ignored and receive no indication about the status of their application. The same survey indicated that jobseekers say that they feel that it is really hard to find, if not impossible to find a job right now.
This information can be potentially damaging for many businesses too. A 2022 survey showed that 49% of candidates end up turning down the position, if hired, after poor communication to begin with (2022). Not hearing back for weeks or months at time, and lengthy interview processes with companies can make applicants uneasy about the potential workplace environment, communication, and overall trust.
Another notable trend is that a recent report shows that nearly half of Americans are looking to switch careers or find new positions in 2023. 52% of jobseekers who are currently employed believe that the only way to get a pay increase is by finding a new position. Lay-offs and a looming recession is definitely a fear that is on many Americans' radars. Employees are actively looking for backup jobs, especially in tech positions. Unemployed people fear that not enough companies are hiring in the first place in preparation for a recession. With that said, how should job seekers feel about going forward with their job hunt?
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Despite this ghosting phenomenon and fears of not enough available jobs on the market, there isn’t a better time for the job market than right now. Unemployment has dropped since the start of 2023, and is the lowest it’s been since 1969 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023). This is good news compared to how high unemployment was in 2020 and 2021. Statistics show that jobseekers still have the upper hand right now (2023).
If you feel invisible in your job hunt, know that many are feeling the same way. In this day in age where applicants are applying directly from employer’s websites, through recruiters, and other job websites, it can be a lot for hiring agents to filter through. Nowadays, it can be expected to be ignored by many employers because there is no obligation to get back to applicants. The upside is that the job market is quite good at the moment, which should be enough hope that we all might still have a fair chance. Goodluck, fellow jobseekers.