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Landing a job these days is much more complicated than it was around a decade ago. In a 2023 survey, 70% of 1,500 job seekers admitted they needed to put in more effort than usual, and 67% found their recent job searches more difficult than their previous ones.
Dealing with incompetent, inconsiderate recruiters can be a more frustrating experience for job seekers. This list of screenshots of email and text exchanges between talent acquisition professionals and candidates revolves around that theme.
They’re all from the Recruiting Hell subreddit, a safe place where job hunters can share their woes and grievances.
If you’ve been through an exasperating job hunt, these stories may make you feel empathy or echo the same annoyance these people felt.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Found This On Linkedin, Thought It Probably Belongs Here...lol
#2
Solid Advice
#3
Seen In NYC, Are They Starting To Understand?
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about the Great Resignation when people left their jobs en masse in the spring of 2021. This resulted in a labor shortage, leading to companies scrambling for workers and offering various perks and benefits.
But that was three years ago, and the job market has since shifted to a point where companies have become more conscious about costs. If you want to boost your chances of getting hired, you must reframe your thinking, says Bert Bean, CEO of staffing firm Insight Global.
That change in approach may include skill development. According to Forbes, online courses and workshops are ways to gain valuable and relevant experiences.
#4
Counterpoint: If It's Taking 6 Months For An Upper Manager To Fill A Position, The Company Should Be Looking To Fill 2 Positions
#5
Someone Pls Try It And Tell Me If It Worked
Lady of Shalott 1 month ago
You mean I've been working with a smile for without charging extra this whole time?!
#6
Felt So Good To Talk Back For Once
A global recession loomed in 2023, frightening companies and urging them to pause the expansion of their workforce. According to Glassdoor’s lead economist, Daniel Zhao, many businesses continue to live in that fear.
“They don’t want to overhire into a recession and then have to lay people off,” Zhao told CNBC.
As a possible solution, Bean advises looking into other industries that have increased their hiring efforts in the past few months. These include healthcare, government, and construction.
#7
Just Stop Please
Sabrina Longo 1 month ago
Minimum wage, part time, no benefits but must have a masters. We're all going to die.
#8
Recruiter Moment
#9
"How I Got A Job At Big 4 Being In My 20s."
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 month ago (edited)
This is exactly how Donald Trump got every job he ever had before The Apprentice. That may be the only job he EVER interviewed for.
If you’re fresh out of college, landing a job would be an uphill battle in 2024. According to research by SHL Global, companies are downsizing their hiring of new graduates by 5.8% in 2024. The reason: AI is slowly replacing entry-level jobs.
But surprisingly, it hasn’t deterred the optimism of graduates from honing their skills and building a career. Handshake’s report noted, “[Graduates] are clear on their priorities—stability, location, and an employer’s reputation as a great place to work.”
#11
Damn, That Felt Good!
#12
And Being Told "You're At The Upper Salary Band"
You may want to narrow down your choices if the job market is overly saturated. In a viral TikTok video, recruiter Kourtlynn Faith advises being more intentional about your approach to the job search.
Instead of applying for multiple roles in every LinkedIn job opening in your industry, Faith recommends going after specific roles you know you would be a good fit for. A more strategic approach may boost your chances of landing a job that suits you best.
#13
Solid Advice From The Man Himself
Sven Horlemann 1 month ago
Yeah. But then it is already too late, as you are sitting in the damn interview.
#14
Beautiful Text Exchange With A Recruiter
#15
Oh No It’s Totally Cool, I Love Booking 3 Separate Meetings To Be Bailed On Each Time By Someone With Crap Grammar
Apatheist Account2 1 month ago
It's a bit harsh if one's internet crashes. The smart ones will use their mobile as a point of presence if required.
We’d also like to hear from you, readers. Have you been in a frustrating job search where a recruiter made it more difficult for you? If so, how did you handle the situation? Let us know in the comments!
#16
Ayo This Lady Working For UPS Really Tried To Get Free Labor Out Of Me Lol
#17
Hello Darkness, My Old Friend
#18
Listen Up!
nicholas nolan 1 month ago
While true, it's also a quick way to lose the four weeks of vacation I get annually. Yes, Europeans, I know. I know you get 18 weeks of vacation, weekends, 75 floating holidays, 1500 euro bar credit in Grand Cayman, a new sunhat, and 25 first class Lufthansa tickets every year. I know, boo. But unless you want to sponsor me as an immigrant or something, I don't care. I'm stuck here. Thanks.
#19
I'm Tired Of Recruiters Avoiding My Questions And Playing Dumb
#20
Aaaahhh I Can't Wait To Have This Feeling
#22
Absolutely Stupid Hr
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
So what counts as British? I drink 5 cups of tea during the working day do I qualify?
#23
I'm So Fed Up With Recruiters Reaching Out To Me With Insultingly Low Rates For Short Term Contract Work When They Can See I Have A Full Time Job Already
Igor914624 1 month ago
I keep getting calls from recruiters. Recruiter: "You are a great fit"? Me: "What is the salary range?" Recruiter: "$XX.00/hour" Me: "That is half of what I am making now."
#24
Just Why Tho
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
Ask any questions you want, apart from the questions that are important to you.
#25
Rejection Letter For A Us Remote Job. Company Thought New Mexico Was "International"
#27
Onion
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
The lies you have to tell in an interview it is ridiculous. "Yes I have always wanted to work in this firm even though I had never heard of them until I saw the job advertisement."
#28
It Feels Good To Reject An Job After Again After 6 Years
Jane 1 month ago
Questions like this are designed to see how you handle stress. Any answer is acceptable. If you freeze up, that tells them something. If you answer with humour, that tells them something. If you ask follow up questions about how many seatbelts are on the bus, that tells them something. It's like a personality test. Just give a random number if you can't come up with a witty response. Every interview I've ever had included a nonsense question. If I rejected every company for this reason, I wouldn't have a job.
#29
They’re On To Us, Boys!
#30
What's The Asterisk For Subway? What's The Asterisk For!? [oc]
![What's The Asterisk For Subway? What's The Asterisk For!? [oc]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/662beadb21477_nwDNcj8__700.jpg "What's The Asterisk For Subway? What's The Asterisk For!? [oc]")
#31
Was Looking At Truck Driving Jobs And Saw This
Alexa Saltz 1 month ago
No females? I am a female CDL driver. I have logged over one million miles - accident/incident free. I have never had a load refused. What is it about gender that offends? Because I pee sitting down?
#32
I Am Seriously Out Of Words..... There Needs To Be A Hell On This World Also For Recruiters
#33
Applied For This Job 2 Months Ago, Now The Recruiter Wants A Same Day Or Next Day Interview. Asked Me To Use Skype To Schedule. Should I Say Noon Again? Maybe In All Caps?
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
Perhaps because you did not say whether you meant noon am or noon pm?
#34
Called Out For Being Stingy. Butthurt Company Further Tarnished Own Reputation With Their Explanation
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
"Demand for an internship is much higher than supply; even unpaid" Translation the job market is so s**t and people are so desperate for a job we will exploit that for free labour.
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What do you think ?
Guess Undheit 1 month ago
The local facebook job board (the primary source of jobs in my field here) has a policy. If you don't list your salary, location, and other details, your job post gets deleted. Businesses get pi$$y about it, but job seekers love it. One annoyance is ash sole businesses that lie and say "full time!" but AFTER you waste your time on an interview they say, "it's actually part time". The businesses are not doing themselves any favours by getting a repuation as liars.
Taibhse Sealgair 1 month ago
If you're applying for a position that includes Colorado (and possibly California, now) as available locations, set your address to one in that state. Then LinkedIn/Indeed/etc will show you the salary range. State law.
Load More Replies...
Catherine Spencer-Mills 1 month ago
Employment ad, summer year 2000: Must have 5 years experience with Windows 2000. I didn't bother applying, I'm not that good of a liar. Almost as bad is the descriptions for IT positions that list 10-15 software programs. "Must have 5 years in that, 3 years in this, etc, etc." Dude, the only company that has that exact software is your company.
Guess Undheit 1 month ago
The local facebook job board (the primary source of jobs in my field here) has a policy. If you don't list your salary, location, and other details, your job post gets deleted. Businesses get pi$$y about it, but job seekers love it. One annoyance is ash sole businesses that lie and say "full time!" but AFTER you waste your time on an interview they say, "it's actually part time". The businesses are not doing themselves any favours by getting a repuation as liars.
Taibhse Sealgair 1 month ago
If you're applying for a position that includes Colorado (and possibly California, now) as available locations, set your address to one in that state. Then LinkedIn/Indeed/etc will show you the salary range. State law.
Load More Replies... Catherine Spencer-Mills 1 month ago
Employment ad, summer year 2000: Must have 5 years experience with Windows 2000. I didn't bother applying, I'm not that good of a liar. Almost as bad is the descriptions for IT positions that list 10-15 software programs. "Must have 5 years in that, 3 years in this, etc, etc." Dude, the only company that has that exact software is your company.
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