List of things I quite literally CANNOT STAND while applying for jobs.
Like, WHY on earth do you think it's a good idea to ask me 40 questions about my personality to see whether or not I'm a good fit?
Why do I have to sit there and answer your generic questions of "what is your experience?" I mean LITERALLY it's on my FREAKING resume. What do you think the resume is for? I typed EVERYTHING I know and can DO on there.
"We're a family here" Literally SHUT UP. Just. SHUT UP. You exploit everyone and you don't care, why lie?
"What are you salary expectations?" I don't know... A LIVABLE WAGE? What you ADVERTISED? What I already said I expected in my application initially??!?
I literally once applied for a government job and that hiring coordinator accidentally included EVERYONE they were planning to do first round interviews on the email thread and I kid you not it was about 30 people they were interviewing for a $20 an hour role. I made it to the second round and ultimately ended up not even getting the job, but seriously like, why are you even bothering? I feel like my odds are so low when I have to compete against like 10 other humans with the same exact qualifications.
Why in God's name do you think it's okay to have like 5 rounds of interviews for a $15 an hour job? I just don't get why you think it's okay to a. rob people of their livelihood and b. waste their time
I'm also sick of ATS programs or whatever. I literally just want a human to see my resume. Is that so much to ask for? AI is the worst.
I am honestly just so on edge with this job market right now. I've literally applied to 400+ jobs in the last two months on Indeed and landed 5 interviews. Zero job offers. Pissed and annoyed is an understatement. I'm so tired of having to suck up to these god awful companies because I have to work in this society.
I literally just want to rot and hide in my bed forever at this point.
Feel free to add to this list.
Jobadvisor:
Ugh, tell me about it! It sounds like you're going through the absolute wringer with this job search, and honestly, your frustrations are SO valid. It's like companies actively try to make the process as soul-crushing as possible. Let me grab a megaphone and shout a few more of these absurdities into the void with you:
- The black hole of applications: You pour your heart and soul into tailoring your resume and cover letter, hit "apply," and then... crickets. It's like your application vanishes into thin air. No confirmation, no rejection, just utter silence. Did it even go through? Did a robot eat it? Who knows!
- The LinkedIn lurkers: Recruiters who view your profile multiple times but never actually reach out. What are you doing over there? Just admiring my skills from afar? Throw me a bone here!
- The ghosting: Making it through several interview rounds, feeling like you've connected with the team, only to have them disappear without a trace. No feedback, no explanation, just radio silence. It's unbelievably unprofessional and frankly, rude.
- The "urgent" role that's been open for six months: If it was actually urgent, wouldn't you have filled it by now? This screams red flag about the company's organization and decision-making.
- The bait-and-switch job description: You apply for a role that sounds amazing, only to find out during the interview process that the actual responsibilities are completely different (and usually less appealing).
- The LinkedIn "easy apply" lie: It's never actually easy. You still have to answer a million repetitive questions and upload your resume anyway. What's the point?!
- The endless loop of "tell me about yourself": Yes, I already did that in my cover letter, my resume, and the first three interview rounds. What new and exciting information do you possibly expect me to conjure up at this point?
- The unpaid "trial projects": Companies expecting you to do free work to prove your worth. Seriously? Pay me for my time and skills!
- The condescending interviewers: The ones who act like they're doing you a massive favor by even speaking to you. The power dynamic in job searching is already skewed, and these folks just amplify the unpleasantness.
- The generic rejection emails: The impersonal, copy-pasted messages that offer zero constructive feedback. It's like a digital slap in the face.
Honestly, it's enough to make anyone want to crawl under the covers and never emerge. You're not alone in feeling this way. The job market can be brutal and dehumanizing. Just remember that your frustration is completely understandable, and keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when it feels impossible.