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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. 

#1

Found This On Linkedin, Thought It Probably Belongs Here...lol

Found This On Linkedin, Thought It Probably Belongs Here...lol

skullnuggets Report

#2

Solid Advice

Solid Advice

Adriendel Report

#3

Seen In NYC, Are They Starting To Understand?

Seen In NYC, Are They Starting To Understand?

ZakA77ack Report

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

Counterpoint: If It's Taking 6 Months For An Upper Manager To Fill A Position, The Company Should Be Looking To Fill 2 Positions

Background_Touchdown , mattwallaert Report

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Mariaf
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they will hire because promoting would mean losing somebody who actually knows how to do the job and is a good leader accepted by the whole team as such and we can never have people like that in management.

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#5

Someone Pls Try It And Tell Me If It Worked

Someone Pls Try It And Tell Me If It Worked

maramara18 Report

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Lady of Shalott
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean I've been working with a smile for without charging extra this whole time?!

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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

Just Stop Please

Zaiik Report

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Sabrina Longo
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minimum wage, part time, no benefits but must have a masters. We're all going to die.

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#9

"How I Got A Job At Big 4 Being In My 20s."

"How I Got A Job At Big 4 Being In My 20s."

IndieDiscovery Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

Zoey Bear
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah so that's why Elon is well-off. I'm almost there, just missing #6.

Manana Man
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Elong co-founded PayPal with the money he made from Zip2. Then with that he started Tesla.

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Apatheist Account2
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ivo Graham: I have an Eton old-boys advent calendar. My father's contacts open the doors for me.

Ru Bee
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2021/10/11/its-official-trump-would-be-richer-if-he-had-just-invested-his-inheritance-into-the-sp500/

TheGoodBoi
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. Nope 2. Nah 3. Nuh uh 4. Mmm breakfast 5. LOL 6. Ah there it is, that's the reason.

Seadog
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Growing up it was "who you know". Then came the age of "it doesn't matter who you know". I'm not sure what era we're in now other than the one where no one wants to work.

SummerVeE
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Canada we have a prime minister with a resume of being a snowboard instructor and a high school drama teacher. His dad is a former prime minister. Take from that what you will.

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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.”

#12

And Being Told "You're At The Upper Salary Band"

And Being Told "You're At The Upper Salary Band"

supercitrusfruit Report

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.

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#13

Solid Advice From The Man Himself

Solid Advice From The Man Himself

EliasAinzworth , Adam_Karpiak Report

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Sven Horlemann
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. But then it is already too late, as you are sitting in the damn interview.

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#15

Oh No It’s Totally Cool, I Love Booking 3 Separate Meetings To Be Bailed On Each Time By Someone With Crap Grammar

Oh No It’s Totally Cool, I Love Booking 3 Separate Meetings To Be Bailed On Each Time By Someone With Crap Grammar

grandoldduke500 Report

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Apatheist Account2
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a bit harsh if one's internet crashes. The smart ones will use their mobile as a point of presence if required.

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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

Ayo This Lady Working For UPS Really Tried To Get Free Labor Out Of Me Lol

Internal_Gift_185 Report

#18

Listen Up!

Listen Up!

misticpoetry Report

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nicholas nolan
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#19

I'm Tired Of Recruiters Avoiding My Questions And Playing Dumb

I'm Tired Of Recruiters Avoiding My Questions And Playing Dumb

reddrick Report

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Upstaged75
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate this game!! Just tell us the salary range up front!!!!!

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#22

Absolutely Stupid Hr

Absolutely Stupid Hr

CookieMonsteeUmUmUm Report

#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

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

Beastly173 Report

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Igor914624
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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."

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#24

Just Why Tho

Just Why Tho

SquidSlothXL Report

#25

Rejection Letter For A Us Remote Job. Company Thought New Mexico Was "International"

Rejection Letter For A Us Remote Job. Company Thought New Mexico Was "International"

ccricers Report

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#27

Onion

Onion

prasharma Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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."

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#28

It Feels Good To Reject An Job After Again After 6 Years

It Feels Good To Reject An Job After Again After 6 Years

yes_u_suckk Report

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Jane
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#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]

Desert-Frost Report

#31

Was Looking At Truck Driving Jobs And Saw This

Was Looking At Truck Driving Jobs And Saw This

yogravy Report

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Alexa Saltz
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?

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#32

I Am Seriously Out Of Words..... There Needs To Be A Hell On This World Also For Recruiters

I Am Seriously Out Of Words..... There Needs To Be A Hell On This World Also For Recruiters

Budget_Green Report

#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?

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?

spiciestkitten Report

#34

Called Out For Being Stingy. Butthurt Company Further Tarnished Own Reputation With Their Explanation

Called Out For Being Stingy. Butthurt Company Further Tarnished Own Reputation With Their Explanation

Hammerlight98 Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"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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#35

Already Had A Bad Feeling About This Job So They Made The Decision Easy For Me 😂

Already Had A Bad Feeling About This Job So They Made The Decision Easy For Me 😂

Garden_ho_9681 Report

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SnootWaggling Fox
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for Verizon and Samsung getting advertising in here. Can't believe the recruiter didn't change that signature

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#37

It's A Privilege Really

It's A Privilege Really

abenemoj Report

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Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When people say their company is "like family," they mean a dysfunctional, toxic family.

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#38

Kinda Disrespectful Tbh

Kinda Disrespectful Tbh

yogurtchicken21 Report

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Rick Funk
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

20 years with a Fortune 500 Medical Device company. Laid off over the phone while I was seeing patients!

#39

No Context Needed

No Context Needed

Jonnylicious Report

#40

Saw This On A Job Application. Immediately Closed Out

Saw This On A Job Application. Immediately Closed Out

agomezwes28 Report

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#43

Been Interviewing With Them For 2 Months! They Were Moving Me To 6th Round!!!

Been Interviewing With Them For 2 Months! They Were Moving Me To 6th Round!!!

Fragrant-Brilliant52 Report

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David Morgan
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an incompetent management team. No company that is worth working for is that bad at basic tasks like hiring employees. Maybe the person who normally handles that is ill or overworked - the company should find someone to take over. If they can't do that, imagine what they would be like managing workloads and payments.

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#44

Seen On Indeed. So Weird And Rude To Write Directly On The Public Posting, No?

Seen On Indeed. So Weird And Rude To Write Directly On The Public Posting, No?

-ramona Report

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linda harbin
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my line of work we have positions for driving branded tow trucks. Yet a huge amount of applicants either have suspended or no drivers license! We finally had to add “holding a current valid drivers license required". DUH!

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#45

You’ve Ghosted Me For The Last Time…

You’ve Ghosted Me For The Last Time…

[deleted] Report

#46

As A Leader Of A Women's Employee Group, I Was Tasked With Coming Up With Ideas To Reduce Inequity In Our Workplace

As A Leader Of A Women's Employee Group, I Was Tasked With Coming Up With Ideas To Reduce Inequity In Our Workplace

I advocated for a pay audit and got a talking to from legal. Here are some of the greatest hits from that call.

nightlights9 Report

#47

Recruiter Not Happy I Withdrew My Candidacy

Recruiter Not Happy I Withdrew My Candidacy

SuperAquaMan69 Report

#48

Had This Little Interaction

Had This Little Interaction

Lssmnt Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are not worth even the legal minimum wage? What you are after is slaves. And that's not allowed any more I hear.

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#49

No Salary Discussions Before The Interview

No Salary Discussions Before The Interview

hmn5253 Report

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#50

Classic

Classic

No_Razzmatazz_4015 Report

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John Mosley
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The next panel is the turquoise shirted idiot sliding prone along the urinals because Fist of Death was employed.

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#52

This Awful Job Posting For A Local Coffee Shop

This Awful Job Posting For A Local Coffee Shop

lamBacon Report

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Michael Largey
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I possess full knowledge that I don't want to experience working there.

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#53

Not Sure If This Is Too Good To Be True? Need Help Please Before I Transfer To This Job?

Not Sure If This Is Too Good To Be True? Need Help Please Before I Transfer To This Job?

Suitable_Salary_1058 Report

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Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"work hard play hard" leaves surprisingly little time or energy to play

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#54

Is It Just Me Or Is This Recruiter Borderline Threatening Me?

Is It Just Me Or Is This Recruiter Borderline Threatening Me?

reacher679 Report

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Learner Panda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they feel the recipient would be a really good match and they are keen to get them on board? Not everything is aggressive.

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#55

Who Needs Pay And Sick Leave? I Can Wear My Jeans To Work!

Who Needs Pay And Sick Leave? I Can Wear My Jeans To Work!

626eh Report

#56

Meh 🥴

Meh 🥴

opure450 Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this supposed to be inspirational? Stay hungry? Yes I will thanks as I cannot afford such luxuries as food.

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#57

Saw This Beautiful Rejection On Linkedin!

Saw This Beautiful Rejection On Linkedin!

Unconscious-Wizard Report

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Gary
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had someone apply to us with a really rude email cannot remember now, but ladyshagger or something similar, that went straight in the bin.

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#58

Lol Ok…when You Pay The Bill

Lol Ok…when You Pay The Bill

wanderingl0st Report

#59

This Needs To Stop

This Needs To Stop

im_datta0 Report

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Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Entry level jobs with experience requirements are oxymorons. What part of "entry level" don't recruiters understand?

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#60

Recruiters Sure Love Recruiters

Recruiters Sure Love Recruiters

maximm3k Report

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Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they are the "backbone" of the company, how come they're being let off? Would you surrender a few of your vertebrae?

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